How To Fix SNC018 - Error occurred when processing external ID (RC=&1)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: SNC - Secure Network Communication, SNC

• Message number: 018

• Message text: Error occurred when processing external ID (RC=&1)

What causes this issue?

The system attempted to logon to a server with an external
identification (a X.509-certificate). There was an error processing the
certificate. The error code (RC) describes the error in more detail.

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

Description of the error code:
100 Length of the transferred certificate exceeds maximum length
101 LIBSAPSECU could not be loaded
102 Earlier attempt to load LIBSAPSECU failed
200 Certificate could not be parsed (not ASN-coded or
incomplete?)
201 Subject could not be determined from certificate
202 Issuer could not be determined from certificate
203 Serial Number could not be determined from certificate
204 Validity could not be determined from certificate
221 Subject in certificate, exceeds maximum length
222 Issuer in certificate, exceeds maximum length
223 Serial Number in certificate, exceeds maximum length
224 Validity in certificate, exceeds maximum length
300 The base 64 coding of the certificate contains invalid character
formats

System Response

The logon is refused, the connection is broken.

How to fix this error?

Contact the system administrator to resolve the error.
If there are problems with the certificate analysis, setting trace
level 2 means that the certificate can be output and examined in the
developer traces.
If there are problems loading the LIPSAPSECU, check if the library
under the name specified in the profile exists and is available.

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 SNC018 - Error occurred when processing external ID (RC=&1) ?

  The SAP error message SNC018 indicates that there was an error when processing an external ID, and it typically relates to issues with Secure Network Communications (SNC) in SAP systems. This error can occur in various scenarios, such as when trying to establish a secure connection or when there are issues with the configuration of the SNC.
  Causes of SNC018 Error
  
  
  Incorrect Configuration: The SNC parameters in the SAP system may not be configured correctly. This includes settings in the instance profile or the SAP GUI.
  
  
  Missing or Invalid SNC Library: The required SNC library may not be installed, or the path to the library may not be correctly set in the system.
  
  
  Invalid External ID: The external ID being processed may not be valid or may not match the expected format.
  
  
  Network Issues: There may be underlying network issues that prevent the secure connection from being established.
  
  
  User Authorization: The user may not have the necessary authorizations to use SNC.
  
  
  Solutions to SNC018 Error
  
  
  Check SNC Configuration:
  
  Verify the SNC parameters in the instance profile (e.g., snc/enable, snc/gssapi_lib, snc/identity/as).
  Ensure that the SNC name is correctly defined and matches the expected format.
  
  
  
  Validate SNC Library:
  
  Ensure that the required SNC library is installed on the server and that the path is correctly specified in the profile parameters.
  Check if the library is compatible with the version of SAP you are using.
  
  
  
  Review External ID:
  
  Check the external ID being processed for correctness. Ensure it is in the correct format and is valid.
  
  
  
  Network Troubleshooting:
  
  Investigate any network issues that may be affecting the connection. This could include firewall settings, VPN issues, or other network configurations.
  
  
  
  User Authorizations:
  
  Ensure that the user has the necessary authorizations to use SNC. This may involve checking roles and profiles assigned to the user.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Look for relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error. SAP frequently updates its knowledge base with solutions for known issues.
  
  
  
  Check Logs:
  
  Review the system logs (transaction SM21) and the developer traces (transaction ST22) for any additional error messages or clues that could help diagnose the issue.
  
  
  
  Related Information
  
  SNC Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation on Secure Network Communications for detailed configuration steps and best practices.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they found effective.
  SAP Support: If the issue persists, consider reaching out to SAP Support for assistance, providing them with detailed information about the error and the steps you have already taken.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to diagnose and resolve the SNC018 error in your SAP system.