How To Fix VIRT050 - Free swap size

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 050

• Message text: Free swap size

What causes this issue?

Free space from the total swap

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?

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 VIRT050 - Free swap size ?

  The SAP error message VIRT050 typically indicates an issue related to the virtual memory or swap space on the server where the SAP system is running. This error suggests that the free swap size is below the required threshold, which can lead to performance issues or even system instability.
  Cause:
  
  Insufficient Swap Space: The server does not have enough swap space allocated, which is necessary for the operating system to manage memory effectively.
  High Memory Usage: The SAP application or other processes running on the server may be consuming a large amount of memory, leading to a shortage of available swap space.
  Configuration Issues: The swap space may not be configured correctly, or the system may not be utilizing the available swap space efficiently.
  Memory Leaks: There could be memory leaks in the application or other processes that are consuming memory without releasing it.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Current Swap Space:
  
  Use commands like free -m or swapon -s (on Linux) to check the current swap space usage and availability.
  
  
  
  Increase Swap Space:
  
  If the swap space is insufficient, consider increasing it. This can be done by creating a new swap file or partition.
  For example, to create a new swap file:
  sudo fallocate -l 4G /swapfile
  sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
  sudo mkswap /swapfile
  sudo swapon /swapfile
  
  Add the swap file to /etc/fstab to make it persistent across reboots.
  
  
  
  Optimize Memory Usage:
  
  Review the memory usage of the SAP application and other processes. Identify and terminate any unnecessary processes.
  Consider optimizing the SAP application configuration to reduce memory consumption.
  
  
  
  Monitor Memory Usage:
  
  Implement monitoring tools to keep track of memory and swap usage over time. This can help in identifying trends and potential issues before they become critical.
  
  
  
  Review System Configuration:
  
  Ensure that the system is configured to use swap space effectively. Check system parameters related to memory management.
  
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes:
  
  Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes or updates related to memory management and the VIRT050 error.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Operating System Documentation: Refer to the documentation for your specific operating system for detailed instructions on managing swap space.
  SAP Basis Administration: Consult with your SAP Basis team for best practices in managing memory and swap space for SAP systems.
  Performance Tuning: Consider performance tuning for the SAP application to ensure it runs efficiently within the available resources.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes of the VIRT050 error and implementing the suggested solutions, you can help ensure that your SAP system runs smoothly and efficiently.