How to Upgrade HANA Client on Linux

SAP HANA is a high-performance in-memory database platform used extensively for real-time analytics and applications. The SAP HANA client is essential for connecting to SAP HANA databases from various tools and applications. Keeping your HANA client up to date ensures compatibility with newer database versions, security improvements, and performance enhancements.

This guide by Go4hosting will walk you through the step-by-step process to upgrade the SAP HANA client on a Linux system, ensuring minimal downtime and system integrity.

Step 1: Check Current HANA Client Version

It is important to know which version of the HANA client is currently installed. You can do this using the command:

hdbsql -version

Alternatively, if hdbsql is not in the PATH, use the full path to the executable:

/opt/sap/hdbclient/hdbsql -version

This will return the version number of your installed SAP HANA client.

Step 2: Download the Latest HANA Client Package

SAP HANA client packages can be downloaded from the SAP Software Download Center:

1. Go to the SAP ONE Support Launchpad.
   
   

2. Navigate to: Downloads > Software Downloads.
   
   

3. Search for "HANA CLIENT".
   
   

4. Choose the correct version based on your SAP HANA system and Linux distribution.
   
   

5. Download the installation archive (e.g., IMDB_CLIENT20_*.SAR or .ZIP format).
   
   

If you are using SAPCAR (.SAR archive), download the latest SAPCAR tool as well.

Step 3: Extract the HANA Client Package

If the package is in .SAR format:

Make the SAPCAR tool executable:

chmod +x SAPCAR

Extract the archive using SAPCAR:

./SAPCAR -xvf IMDB_CLIENT20_*.SAR

If the package is in .ZIP format:

unzip IMDB_CLIENT20_*.ZIP

This will extract the installation directory structure, typically with a folder like HANA_CLIENT_LINUX_X86_64.

Step 4: Remove or Backup the Existing Client (Optional)

Although the new installation will overwrite existing binaries, it's a good practice to back up the current installation.

cd /opt/sap/

sudo mv hdbclient hdbclient_backup_$(date +%F)

Only do this if no applications are currently relying on the client.

Step 5: Install or Upgrade the HANA Client

Navigate to the extracted installation directory and run the HANA client installer script:

cd HANA_CLIENT_LINUX_X86_64

sudo ./hdbinst

You'll see output confirming the installation or upgrade:

SAP HANA Database Client installation kit detected.

Installing HANA Database Client to /opt/sap/hdbclient ...

Installation done

By default, the HANA client is installed in /opt/sap/hdbclient. If you wish to install to a different directory, use the -a client_install_path option:

sudo ./hdbinst -a client_install_path=/your/custom/path

Step 6: Validate the Upgrade

Once the upgrade completes, verify the version again:

/opt/sap/hdbclient/hdbsql -version

Check that the version reflects the upgraded version and that no errors occurred during installation.

Also, verify that all linked applications are working as expected. You can run a test query using hdbsql:

/opt/sap/hdbclient/hdbsql -n : -u -p "SELECT * FROM DUMMY;"

Expected output:

DUMMY

-----

X

This confirms successful connectivity and proper client functionality.

Step 7: Update Environment Variables

Make sure the new client is accessible system-wide. You can update your environment variables in .bashrc or .bash_profile:

export PATH=/opt/sap/hdbclient:$PATH

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/sap/hdbclient:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH

Apply the changes:

source ~/.bashrc

You can also set these globally in /etc/profile if needed for all users.

Step 8: Clean Up

If the upgrade is successful and your applications are working correctly, you can remove the backup or old installation directories to free up space:

sudo rm -rf /opt/sap/hdbclient_backup_*

Also, delete the extracted installer directory and archive files if they are no longer needed.

Troubleshooting Tips

Security and Maintenance Tips

• Always download the client package and SAPCAR tool from the official SAP portal.
  
  

• Apply regular updates to keep the client in sync with the SAP HANA server.
  
  

• Use a version control log to track upgrades and changes.
  
  

• Test the client in a staging environment before deploying on production systems.
  
  

Why Choose Go4hosting for SAP HANA Hosting?

At Go4hosting, we specialize in enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure and managed SAP HANA hosting and other mission-critical applications. With our:

• High-performance Linux-based servers,
  
  

• Secure, Tier-III+ compliant data centers,
  
  

• 24/7 technical support,
  
  

• Scalable SAP-certified environments,
  
  

you can rely on us to ensure that your SAP HANA systems perform optimally- whether you're upgrading clients, patching your database, or scaling your deployments.

Let Go4hosting be your trusted partner in your digital transformation journey.

Conclusion

Upgrading the SAP HANA client on Linux is a straightforward yet important task to ensure compatibility and stability with your SAP HANA environment. By following the steps outlined above, you can perform a safe and efficient upgrade with minimal disruption.

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