How To Fix VIRT177 - Shared Memory Used by Virtual System

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 177

• Message text: Shared Memory Used by Virtual System

Self-Explanatory Message

Since SAP believes that this specific error message is 'self-explanatory,' no more information has been given.The majority of messages in the SAP system have a message text, however this is frequently insufficient to comprehend or resolve the problem.

To make things easier, more detailed information is frequently added to describe the issue, how to fix it, and the necessary steps or configuration modifications.

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VIRT177 - Shared Memory Used by Virtual System ?

  The SAP error message VIRT177: Shared Memory Used by Virtual System typically occurs in the context of SAP systems that utilize shared memory for various operations, particularly in environments where multiple instances or virtual systems are running. This error indicates that the shared memory segment is already in use by another instance or virtual system, which can prevent the current instance from starting or functioning properly.
  Causes:
  
  Concurrent Access: Another instance of the SAP system is already using the shared memory segment.
  Improper Shutdown: The previous instance may not have released the shared memory properly due to an improper shutdown or crash.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the instance profile or parameters related to shared memory.
  Resource Limits: The operating system may have limits on the amount of shared memory that can be allocated, leading to conflicts.
  
  Solutions:
  
  
  Check Running Instances: Verify if another instance of the SAP system is running and using the shared memory. You can use commands like ps -ef | grep sap on Unix/Linux systems to check for running processes.
  
  
  Release Shared Memory: If you find that the shared memory is still allocated to a process that is no longer running, you may need to manually release it. This can be done using the ipcrm command on Unix/Linux systems:
  ipcrm -m <shmid>
  Replace <shmid> with the shared memory ID that you can find using the ipcs command.
  
  
  Restart the System: If you are unable to identify the process holding the shared memory, a system restart may help in releasing the shared memory segments.
  
  
  Check Configuration: Review the instance profile parameters related to shared memory, such as rdisp/SharedMemory and ensure they are correctly configured.
  
  
  Increase Shared Memory Limits: If the issue is related to resource limits, you may need to increase the shared memory limits in the operating system. This can involve modifying kernel parameters (e.g., shmmax, shmall on Linux).
  
  
  Consult SAP Notes: Check the SAP Support Portal for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional troubleshooting steps.
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for details on shared memory management and configuration.
  Operating System Documentation: Consult your operating system's documentation for managing shared memory segments and related commands.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  
  If the problem persists after trying the above solutions, it may be beneficial to contact SAP support for further assistance.