32 bit Versus 64 Bit

[Former Member]

Hello every one:

Currently we are on 32 bit sql server 2000. I am trying to convince management to move to 64 bit hardware with sql server 2005.

Dose any one know what are the timelines around SAP's support on 32 bit platform?

Can you direct me to any document on pros and cons of 64 bit versus 32 bit database and their support time lines?

Regards,

K

[Former Member]

Hello

If your management wish to continue to operate SAP systems they must upgrade to 64 bit systems very soon.

Please review http://service.sap.com/~sapidb/011000358700002950922006E

Thanks

N.P.C

[Rudi_Wiesmayr]

For NW2004s on Windows we still have the choice between IA32 32bit, IA64 64bit and x64 64bit, as the brand new kernel DVD for NW2004s SR2 says.

So for Windows systems running on not yet 64bit capable hardware - and that can be machines purchased 2006 - you can run the latest release and be supported.

Right?

Kind regards, Rudi

[Former Member]

Hello

For several years now it has been the specific guidance from SAP that all systems should be Unicode and 64bit.

Any hardware purchased in 2006 should be 64bit capable (unless the hardware vendor was selling old stock).

The letter from SAP is quite clear. Microsoft Vista and Longhorn are the last operating systems from Microsoft that will support 32 bit. Indeed there is some speculation that later service packs/feature packs will only be for 64 bit versions.

Simple message is - "Unicode & 64 bit"

N.P.C

[Rudi_Wiesmayr]

OK, it was 2005. Time passes so fast....

We have a pair of servers (test - prod) where the one can 64bit and the other not...

Rudi

[Former Member]

Hi

One last point - keep your DEV QA and PRD on the same OS.

Remember drivers and SAP Kernels are substantially different between Windows IA32, x64 and IA64.

Also SQL executables are different between different versions of Windows.

If you mix Win 32, Win x64 and Win IA64 troubleshooting and testing becomes very difficult.

Thanks

[Rudi_Wiesmayr]

YEAAAH.

Lucky the administrator who heeds a test configuration which is completely similar to production!

We managed this for our most critical system. Other colleagues responsible for not quite so critical systems did not. And suffered subtle problems in production they did not succeed to track in test...

May the force of budget be with us all

Rudi

[Former Member]

Hi

We are on win 64 bit and MS SQL 2005.Its working absolutely fine.Its faster.But personally i dont think there is much difference in performance.But its good to work with MS SQL 2005