How To Fix VIRT176 - Mem Used by Virtual Server (Working Set Size)

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 176

• Message text: Mem Used by Virtual Server (Working Set Size)

What causes this issue?

This is the amount of memory the virtual system is actively using.
On VMware, this is called 'Active 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 VIRT176 - Mem Used by Virtual Server (Working Set Size) ?

  The SAP error message VIRT176, which refers to "Mem Used by Virtual Server (Working Set Size)," typically indicates that the memory usage of the SAP application server is exceeding the configured limits or thresholds. This can lead to performance issues or even system instability if not addressed.
  Cause:
  
  
  High Memory Consumption: The application server is consuming more memory than expected, which can be due to various factors such as:
  
  Inefficient coding or memory leaks in ABAP programs.
  High user load or concurrent sessions.
  Large data processing tasks that require significant memory.
  Background jobs consuming excessive resources.
  
  
  
  Configuration Issues: The memory settings in the SAP system may not be optimized for the workload, leading to excessive memory usage.
  
  
  Operating System Limits: The underlying operating system may have limits on memory usage that are being hit.
  
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Analyze Memory Usage:
  
  Use transaction codes like ST02 (Tune Summary) and ST03 (Workload Analysis) to analyze memory usage and identify any bottlenecks or high memory-consuming processes.
  Check for long-running transactions or background jobs that may be consuming excessive memory.
  
  
  
  Optimize ABAP Code:
  
  Review and optimize ABAP programs to ensure they are not consuming unnecessary memory. Look for loops, large internal tables, and inefficient data handling.
  Use memory management techniques such as using FREE for internal tables when they are no longer needed.
  
  
  
  Adjust SAP Memory Parameters:
  
  Review and adjust the SAP memory parameters in the instance profile (e.g., abap/heap_area_dia, abap/heap_area_nondia, rdisp/PG_MAXFS, etc.) to better suit the workload.
  Consider increasing the memory limits if the hardware allows it.
  
  
  
  Monitor and Tune the System:
  
  Continuously monitor the system performance and memory usage to identify trends and potential issues before they become critical.
  Use tools like SAP Solution Manager for ongoing performance monitoring and tuning.
  
  
  
  Check Operating System Settings:
  
  Ensure that the operating system is configured to allow sufficient memory for the SAP application server.
  Check for any OS-level memory limits that may be affecting the SAP instance.
  
  
  
  Restart the Application Server:
  
  In some cases, a restart of the application server may temporarily alleviate memory pressure, but this should not be a long-term solution.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional insights or patches related to memory management and performance tuning.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for discussions and solutions shared by other SAP professionals facing similar issues.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP's official documentation on memory management and performance tuning for best practices and guidelines.
  
  By following these steps, you can address the VIRT176 error and improve the overall performance and stability of your SAP system.