How To Fix VIRT188 - Capacity Limit

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 188

• Message text: Capacity Limit

What causes this issue?

This is the upper limit of physical CPU cores that may be consumed by
the virtual system.
The Capacity Limit is defined by two factors:
1. The amount of virtual CPUs configured for this virtual system.
2. The CPU limit defined for this virtual system during configuration.
The Capacity Limit is the minimum of both values.

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

System Response

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 VIRT188 - Capacity Limit ?

  The SAP error message VIRT188, which indicates a "Capacity Limit" issue, typically arises in the context of virtual memory or resource allocation within the SAP system. This error can occur when the system exceeds the defined limits for certain resources, such as memory, processing capacity, or other system parameters.
  Cause:
  
  Memory Limit Exceeded: The most common cause is that the SAP system has reached its configured memory limit, which can happen due to high transaction volumes or inefficient memory usage.
  Configuration Issues: Incorrect configuration settings in the SAP system or the underlying database can lead to capacity issues.
  Resource Allocation: Insufficient allocation of resources (CPU, memory) on the server hosting the SAP system can trigger this error.
  Background Jobs: Running too many background jobs simultaneously can also lead to capacity limits being reached.
  
  Solution:
  
  Increase Memory Allocation: Review and increase the memory allocation for the SAP system. This can be done by adjusting the parameters in the instance profile (e.g., abap/heap_area_total, abap/heap_area_dia, etc.).
  Optimize Configuration: Check the configuration settings for the SAP system and the database. Ensure that they are optimized for the current workload.
  Monitor Resource Usage: Use transaction codes like ST03N (Workload Analysis) and ST06 (Operating System Monitor) to monitor resource usage and identify bottlenecks.
  Limit Background Jobs: If there are too many background jobs running, consider scheduling them to run at different times to avoid overloading the system.
  Database Tuning: If the issue is related to the database, consider performing database tuning and optimization to improve performance and resource management.
  System Upgrade: If the current hardware is insufficient for the workload, consider upgrading the server or moving to a more powerful infrastructure.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for relevant SAP Notes that may provide specific guidance or patches related to the VIRT188 error.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums to see if other users have encountered similar issues and what solutions they have implemented.
  Performance Monitoring Tools: Utilize SAP's performance monitoring tools to gain insights into system performance and identify areas for improvement.
  Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation for best practices on memory management and system configuration.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the VIRT188 error and improve the overall performance of your SAP system.