How To Fix VIRT231 - 16MB Page Pool

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 231

• Message text: 16MB Page Pool

What causes this issue?

Denotes the amount of real memory reserved for 16MB pages.

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 VIRT231 - 16MB Page Pool ?

  The SAP error message VIRT231 indicates that the system has run out of virtual memory, specifically related to the 16MB page pool. This can occur in environments where the SAP system is configured to use a limited amount of virtual memory, and it typically points to a configuration issue or resource limitation.
  Cause:
  
  Insufficient Virtual Memory: The SAP system is trying to allocate more memory than is available in the 16MB page pool.
  High Memory Usage: The applications running on the SAP system may be consuming more memory than expected, leading to exhaustion of the available page pool.
  Configuration Issues: The parameters for memory allocation in the SAP system may not be optimally set, leading to inefficient memory usage.
  Operating System Limits: The underlying operating system may have limits on the amount of virtual memory that can be allocated to a single process.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Increase Page Pool Size: 
  
  You can increase the size of the page pool in the SAP system configuration. This is typically done by adjusting the abap/heap_area_dia and abap/heap_area_nondia parameters in the instance profile.
  You may also need to adjust the rdisp/PG_MAX parameter to allow for a larger page pool.
  
  
  
  Optimize Memory Usage:
  
  Review the applications and processes running on the SAP system to identify any that may be consuming excessive memory.
  Consider optimizing or tuning these applications to reduce their memory footprint.
  
  
  
  Check Operating System Settings:
  
  Ensure that the operating system is configured to allow sufficient virtual memory for the SAP instance. This may involve adjusting system parameters or increasing swap space.
  
  
  
  Monitor Memory Usage:
  
  Use transaction codes like ST02 (Tune Summary) and ST03 (Workload Analysis) to monitor memory usage and identify bottlenecks.
  Regularly check the memory consumption of your SAP system to proactively manage resources.
  
  
  
  Restart the SAP Instance: 
  
  In some cases, a restart of the SAP instance may temporarily alleviate the issue, but it is not a long-term solution.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Notes: Check for relevant SAP Notes that may provide additional guidance or patches related to memory management and the VIRT231 error.
  SAP Community: Engage with the SAP Community forums for insights from other users who may have encountered similar issues.
  Documentation: Review SAP documentation on memory management and configuration best practices for your specific version of SAP.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you should be able to resolve the VIRT231 error and improve the overall memory management of your SAP system.