Sap software license maintenance agreement

SAP Note 1280664 - Distribution of maintenance certificates: Troubleshooting

Automatic Distribution by SAP Solution Manager

You no longer need to get maintenance. The automatic distribution of maintenance certificates through SAP Solution Manager ensures up-to-date maintenance certificates in managed systems. That is the perfect alternative to install the maintenance certificates manually.

License Management in SAP Solution Manager provides a complete view of all systems, licenses and their respective status. It also provides an overview on the status of the automated transfer of maintenance certificates from SAP to the customer's SAP Solution Manager system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a maintenance certificate?

A maintenance certificate enables SAP's software logistics tools (such as Software Update Manager, SUM, SPAM, SAINT and JSPM) to identify your system and the scope of your corresponding SAP maintenance agreement. It ensures that only customers with a valid maintenance contract can apply support packages. SAP's software logistics tools will only apply maintenance items if a valid maintenance certificate is available.

When will a maintenance certificate be required by SAP's software logistics tools?

A maintenance certificate will be required for all customers using SAP products (currently not including Business Objects and Sybase products). Details:

• As of SPAM/SAINT version 0034, the maintenance certificate will be required to import support packages.
• Java support packages (imported using JSPM) require a maintenance certificate. Currently a warning is displayed.

Which SAP products require a maintenance certificate?

All SAP products based on SAP NetWeaver 7.0 and beyond require a maintenance certificate.

How long is the validity of a maintenance certificate?

A maintenance certificate has a validity of three months, then it has to be renewed.

Which options for the deployment of maintenance certificates are available?

In order to minimize the effort for customers, an automated deployment for maintenance certificate through SAP Solution Manager 7.1 and 7.2 is offered. In addition, a manual request option is available in the SAP Support Portal.

Which version of SAP Solution Manager is required to benefit from automatic deployment of maintenance certificates?

SAP Solution Manager 7.1 and 7.2 fully support the automatic deployment.

SAP Solution Manager 7.0 SP 16 is the minimal requirement.

Is a network connection (RFC) from SAP Solution Manager to SAP's Service Backbone required for automatic deployment of maintenance certificates?

Yes, to use the automatic deployment of maintenance certificates with SAP Solution Manager, a connection to SAP as well as a connection to the managed systems is required.

Is SAP Solution Manager required for the automatic deployment of maintenance certificates?

No, the automated deployment option is recommended but not required. It is possible to use automatic deployment for some systems and manual deployment for other systems.

Does the automatic deployment through SAP Solution Manager ensure that a new maintenance certificate is applied before the end of validity of the current certificate has been reached?

Yes, SAP Solution Manager will request a new maintenance certificate 30 days (this can be customized) before the end of validity of an existing certificate.

Do I have to install SAP Solution Manager to use maintenance certificates?

No, this is not required. You can use the manual deployment option.

How can I request a maintenance certificate manually?

Please use License Key Application to generate or prolong your maintenance certificate.

How can I check the maintenance coverage of a system?

The maintenance coverage is visible in the SAP Support Portal in the system data application.

Is a maintenance certificate required during the installation?

During the installation, there is no step to import support packages; therefore, the maintenance certificate is not checked. Afterwards, when applying support packages, a maintenance certificate is required.

Is a maintenance certificate required during an upgrade?

A maintenance certificate is not required during an upgrade. This allows for an easy upgrade from old to current releases with the inclusion of support packages.

How can I check if the maintenance certificate deployment was successful?

In the relevant system, run the SLICENSE transaction, then click the Digitally-Signed Licenses tab (in earlier releases: click the New Licenses button to switch to the Digitally-Signed License Keys display).

Then check whether an additional license key is visible with:

• Software Product : "Maintenance_" in column "SW Product"
• Valid from: "date when the Maintenance Certificate was requested"
• Valid until: date of request + approx. 3 months

Can Service Partners use their SAP Solution Manager for automated deployment of maintenance certificates?

Yes, SAP Solution Manager can be used to serve several customers. In addition, apply SAP Note 1229904 - Maintenance certificate distribution for service provider.