How To Fix VIRT146 - Memory Shared Between Virtual Servers

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 146

• Message text: Memory Shared Between Virtual Servers

What causes this issue?

This is the total amount of copy-on-write-memory on the host. This value
includes memory pages that are shared within a single guest and memory
that is shared between guests.
On VMware, this is called 'Shared Memory'.

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 VIRT146 - Memory Shared Between Virtual Servers ?

  The SAP error message VIRT146: Memory Shared Between Virtual Servers typically indicates that there is a configuration issue related to memory allocation in a virtualized environment where multiple SAP instances are running on the same physical server. This error can occur when the memory settings for the virtual machines (VMs) are not properly configured, leading to potential performance issues or conflicts.
  Cause:
  
  Insufficient Memory Allocation: The virtual servers may not have enough memory allocated to handle the workloads, leading to shared memory issues.
  Overcommitment of Resources: If the physical server is overcommitted in terms of memory (i.e., the total allocated memory for all VMs exceeds the physical memory available), it can lead to performance degradation and errors.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration of the SAP instances or the virtualization platform can lead to memory sharing issues.
  Shared Memory Settings: The shared memory settings in the SAP system may not be properly configured, leading to conflicts between instances.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Memory Allocation: Check the memory allocation for each virtual server and ensure that it is sufficient for the workloads being processed. Increase the memory allocation if necessary.
  Avoid Overcommitment: Ensure that the total memory allocated to all virtual machines does not exceed the physical memory available on the host server. Adjust the allocations accordingly.
  Optimize SAP Configuration: Review the SAP instance profiles and ensure that the shared memory parameters (like abap/heap_area_dia, abap/heap_area_nondia, etc.) are set correctly based on the requirements of your applications.
  Monitor Performance: Use monitoring tools to track memory usage and performance metrics for the virtual servers. This can help identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP Notes and documentation related to memory management in virtual environments for specific recommendations and best practices.
  Virtualization Platform Settings: Check the settings of the virtualization platform (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) to ensure that memory management features are configured correctly.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Look for specific SAP Notes related to VIRT146 for any patches or updates that may address this issue.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have implemented.
  Performance Tuning: Consider performance tuning for both the SAP application and the underlying virtual infrastructure to optimize resource usage.
  Documentation: Review the official SAP documentation on memory management and virtualization best practices for further insights.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the VIRT146 error and improve the performance of your SAP virtual servers.