How To Fix RS_DB_DB6557 - InfoCube &1: 990 index is limited to 63 characteristics

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: RS_DB_DB6 - DB6-Specific Messages in SAP BW

• Message number: 557

• Message text: InfoCube &1: 990 index is limited to 63 characteristics

What causes this issue?

For optimal performance, the ~990 index should include all
characteristics of the InfoCube. However, the InfoCube has more than 63
characteristics. (The Db2 limit for the number of columns in an index is
64, with one column reserved for BLU Acceleration.) Therefore, the index
contains only the first 63 characteristics.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

This is normal behavior. No action is required.

Procedure for System Administrators

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message RS_DB_DB6557 - InfoCube &1: 990 index is limited to 63 characteristics ?

  The SAP error message RS_DB_DB6557 indicates that an InfoCube has exceeded the limit of 63 characteristics for its 990 index. This is a common issue in SAP BW (Business Warehouse) environments, particularly when designing InfoCubes with a large number of characteristics.
  Cause:
  The error occurs because the 990 index in SAP BW is limited to a maximum of 63 characteristics. When you attempt to add more than 63 characteristics to an InfoCube, the system generates this error message. The 990 index is used for certain types of queries and aggregations, and exceeding this limit can lead to performance issues or incorrect data retrieval.
  Solution:
  To resolve this issue, you can consider the following approaches:
  
  
  Reduce the Number of Characteristics:
  
  Review the characteristics included in the InfoCube and determine if any can be removed or consolidated. Focus on the most critical characteristics that are necessary for your reporting needs.
  
  
  
  Use Additional InfoCubes:
  
  If you have a large number of characteristics that are necessary for different reporting scenarios, consider creating additional InfoCubes. You can then use these InfoCubes in conjunction with each other to meet your reporting requirements.
  
  
  
  Use Aggregates:
  
  If applicable, consider using aggregates instead of a single InfoCube. Aggregates can help reduce the number of characteristics needed in a single query and can improve performance.
  
  
  
  Re-evaluate the Design:
  
  Reassess the design of your InfoCube. Sometimes, a star schema or snowflake schema design can help in organizing data more efficiently and may allow you to work within the limits of the 990 index.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Documentation:
  
  Review SAP documentation and best practices for InfoCube design. There may be specific recommendations or guidelines that can help you optimize your InfoCube structure.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or solutions related to this error message.
  Performance Considerations: Keep in mind that having too many characteristics can also impact query performance. It's essential to strike a balance between the number of characteristics and the performance of your queries.
  Data Modeling Best Practices: Familiarize yourself with data modeling best practices in SAP BW to avoid similar issues in the future.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the RS_DB_DB6557 error and optimize your InfoCube design for better performance and usability.