FAQs on Technical Issues

What hardware is used for the KINAMU Appliance?

The ERP system is being delivered as an appliance to minimize installation efforts and to shorten the implementation period. It consists of an HP Integrity rx2660 server with HP-UX 11i operating system which runs a SAP ERP 2005 SR2 system based on a MaxDB 7.6 database. Further, the appliance has a UPS which makes sure that the server properly shuts down in case of a current interruption. Data are stored to an LTO tape.

How are the availability and the management of new releases made sure?

The operation and monitoring of the ERP appliance will be carried out by T-Systems. The maintenance of the appliance hardware will be carried out by an HP Service Partner (in Austria this is S&T). The necessary patches will be put in once a year to make sure that the installed software will always be up to date.

How will the integration of the KINAMU appliances into the already existing IT infrastructure be realized?

The SAP ERP appliance will be integrated into the customer network via a firewall (phion) supplied by KINAMU. The firewall will be installed in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) of the customer firewall and controls the access to the ERP appliance from within (customer) and from the outside (KINAMU). The KINAMU firewall connects the SAP ERP appliance to the central management and monitoring system of KINAMU.

 


 

What technical and organizational requirements have to be met to be able to integrate a KINAMU ERP appliance into the company's network?

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  • For the operation and monitoring of the system as well as for the user support a permanent connection to the internet with a sufficient bandwidth (of at least 256 kbit/s) is required. The monthly data transfer volume is about 50 MB but chiefly depends on the user support. For the maintenance of the appliance a volume of 500 MB is to be expected.

  • The customer firewall allows the implementation of a DMZ for the integration of the KINAMU firewall appliance.

  • The customer arranges for the physical integration of the appliance into the company's infrastructure (required space: 6HE in a 19" rack preferably in a separate computer room).

  • The installation of the client software (SAP GUI or Netweaver Business Client) at the work stations and servers, respectively, which enables access to the SAP system. Currently the following operating systems are supported: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/2003.

  • Data storage to a tape drive is performed according to a pre-defined backup plan and will be monitored by the KINAMU Monitoring function. The customer will only have to take care of changing the tapes.

  • To ensure e-mail communication a mail server that assists SMTP will be required (e.g. MS exchange server).

  • Printing via the ERP system is only possible on printers authorized by SAP. To receive a list of compatible printer types click here.