How To Fix VIRT173 - StealTime

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 173

• Message text: StealTime

What causes this issue?

Time the virtual system was in a ready state, but was not scheduled to
run (virtual CPU not backed by the hypervisor).

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 VIRT173 - StealTime ?

  The SAP error message VIRT173, which refers to "StealTime," typically indicates that there is a performance issue related to the virtual memory management of the SAP system. This error is often associated with the system's inability to efficiently manage resources, leading to increased "steal time," which is the time a virtual CPU spends waiting for physical CPU resources due to contention.
  Causes of VIRT173 StealTime
  
  Resource Contention: The virtual machine (VM) may be competing for CPU resources with other VMs on the same physical host.
  Insufficient CPU Allocation: The SAP system may not have enough virtual CPUs allocated to handle the workload effectively.
  Overprovisioning: If too many VMs are running on the same physical server, it can lead to resource contention and increased steal time.
  Hypervisor Configuration: Misconfigurations in the hypervisor settings can lead to inefficient resource allocation.
  High Load: A sudden spike in workload can lead to increased CPU demand, resulting in higher steal time.
  
  Solutions to VIRT173 StealTime
  
  
  Monitor Resource Usage: Use monitoring tools to analyze CPU usage and identify if the SAP system is experiencing high steal time. Tools like SAP Solution Manager or third-party monitoring solutions can help.
  
  
  Adjust CPU Allocation: Increase the number of virtual CPUs allocated to the SAP instance if it is under-provisioned. Ensure that the allocation matches the workload requirements.
  
  
  Optimize VM Placement: If multiple VMs are running on the same physical host, consider redistributing them across different hosts to reduce contention.
  
  
  Review Hypervisor Settings: Check the hypervisor configuration for CPU scheduling and resource allocation settings. Ensure that the settings are optimized for performance.
  
  
  Scale Up or Out: If the workload consistently exceeds the capacity of the current setup, consider scaling up (adding more resources to the existing VM) or scaling out (adding more VMs).
  
  
  Performance Tuning: Optimize the SAP application and database performance to reduce CPU load. This may involve tuning SQL queries, optimizing background jobs, or adjusting application settings.
  
  
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP Notes and documentation for specific recommendations related to your version of SAP and the underlying infrastructure.
  
  
  Related Information
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or patches related to performance issues.
  System Logs: Review system logs for any other errors or warnings that may indicate underlying issues contributing to the high steal time.
  Performance Metrics: Keep an eye on performance metrics such as CPU usage, memory usage, and disk I/O to get a comprehensive view of system health.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes of the VIRT173 StealTime error, you can improve the performance of your SAP system and reduce the impact of resource contention.