How To Fix S_ARC_DESTRUCTION217 - Data destruction started in test mode

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: S_ARC_DESTRUCTION - ILM: Data Destruction Message Class

• Message number: 217

• Message text: Data destruction started in test mode

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message S_ARC_DESTRUCTION217 - Data destruction started in test mode ?

  The SAP error message S_ARC_DESTRUCTION217 indicates that a data destruction process has been initiated in test mode. This is typically related to the data archiving and destruction process within SAP systems, which is part of data lifecycle management.
  Cause:
  The error message is triggered when a data destruction job is executed in test mode rather than in the actual execution mode. This is often done to verify the results of the data destruction process without making any permanent changes to the database. The test mode allows administrators to see what data would be deleted without actually performing the deletion.
  Solution:
  To resolve this issue, you need to switch from test mode to the actual execution mode. Here are the steps to do this:
  
  
  Check Job Configuration: Review the configuration of the data destruction job. Ensure that it is set to run in the correct mode (actual execution) rather than test mode.
  
  
  Change Execution Mode:
  
  If you are using transaction codes like SARA (Archive Administration), navigate to the relevant data destruction job.
  Look for an option or checkbox that indicates "Test Mode" and ensure it is unchecked.
  Save the changes.
  
  
  
  Execute the Job: After changing the mode, execute the job again. This time, it should run in actual mode and perform the data destruction as intended.
  
  
  Monitor the Job: After execution, monitor the job to ensure that it completes successfully and that the intended data has been destroyed.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Data Archiving: Data archiving is a process in SAP that allows you to move data that is no longer needed for daily operations to a storage system. This helps in managing database size and improving performance.
  Data Destruction: This is the final step in the data lifecycle management process, where data that has been archived is permanently deleted from the system in compliance with legal and organizational policies.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes such as:
  
  SARA: Archive Administration
  SARI: Archive Information System
  SARCH: Archive Object Management
  
  
  
  Best Practices:
  
  Always run data destruction jobs in test mode first to verify the results.
  Ensure that you have proper backups and that you comply with data retention policies before permanently deleting any data.
  Document the data destruction process and maintain logs for auditing purposes.
  
  If you continue to experience issues or if the job does not behave as expected, consider consulting SAP support or your system administrator for further assistance.