How To Fix VIRT338 - Avg. Unreferenced Interval Count

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: VIRT - Virtualization Monitoring

• Message number: 338

• Message text: Avg. Unreferenced Interval Count

Avg. Unreferenced Interval Count
The average high unreferenced interval count (UIC) is an indicator of
central storage contention. A low UIC count indicates that storage
contention is high and you might experience storage problems. (Average
value within the last collection interval)

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message VIRT338 - Avg. Unreferenced Interval Count ?

  The SAP error message VIRT338, which refers to "Avg. Unreferenced Interval Count," typically relates to issues with the Virtual Memory Management in SAP systems. This error can indicate that the system is experiencing performance issues due to memory management inefficiencies.
  Cause:
  
  Memory Configuration: The error may arise from improper configuration of the SAP memory parameters, such as the heap size or buffer sizes.
  High Load: A high number of concurrent users or processes can lead to increased memory usage, causing the system to struggle with memory allocation.
  Unoptimized Code: Inefficient ABAP code or poorly designed programs can lead to excessive memory consumption.
  Database Performance: Slow database queries or locks can lead to increased memory usage and unreferenced intervals.
  
  Solution:
  
  Review Memory Settings: Check and optimize the SAP memory parameters in the instance profile. Ensure that the parameters like abap/heap_area_total, abap/heap_area_dia, and abap/heap_area_nondia are set appropriately based on the system's workload.
  Monitor System Performance: Use transaction codes like ST02 (Tune Summary) and ST03 (Workload Analysis) to monitor memory usage and identify bottlenecks.
  Optimize ABAP Code: Review and optimize any custom ABAP programs that may be consuming excessive memory. Use tools like the ABAP Runtime Analysis (transaction SE30) to identify performance issues.
  Database Optimization: Ensure that the database is properly indexed and that queries are optimized. Regularly analyze and tune the database performance.
  Increase Hardware Resources: If the system is consistently under heavy load, consider upgrading the hardware resources (CPU, RAM) to better handle the workload.
  SAP Notes and Support: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide guidance on memory management best practices.
  
  Related Information:
  
  SAP Documentation: Refer to the official SAP documentation for guidelines on memory management and performance tuning.
  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 memory usage patterns.
  
  By addressing the underlying causes and implementing the suggested solutions, you can mitigate the VIRT338 error and improve the overall performance of your SAP system.