SAP IQ High-Availability can be achieved with IQ Multiplex architecture [ SAP Note 2477758], but not when deployed in NLS mode. As per the SAP First Guidance for SAP IQ 16.x, here, Multiplex Architecture is not available/evaluated for the SAP-NLS solution. This blog outlines one of the methods for deploying SAP IQ-NLS utilizing Azure Premium Files on the Azure platform.

Overview

Several customers leverage SAP IQ for storing historical data, extracting aged data from the SAP BW system to enhance SAP BW performance and achieve cost efficiency. It’s crucial to meticulously design and implement the SAP IQ architecture to ensure that data remains online and accessible as per the demands of business processes. We collaborated with our partners and customers to develop an SAP IQ-NLS solution architecture on Azure, incorporating Azure Premium Files. This solution addresses to the customer’s need for SAP IQ High Availability across zones, aiming to achieve a Recovery Point Objective (RPO) of zero across zones in a Zonal Disaster Recovery (Zonal DR) setup. In this architecture, the Primary SAP IQ operates as a standalone system, with its database installed on Azure Premium Files using Zone-Redundant Storage (ZRS). The virtual machine (VM) is then replicated to the secondary zone through Azure Site Recovery [ASR].

As SAP does not provide an official reference for SAP IQ-NLS High Availability (HA)/Disaster Recovery [DR] architecture to meet RPO=0, a bespoke solution developed to fulfil the customer’s requirements. The DR solution has been developed and rigorously tested within the Microsoft Azure Cloud environment. It’s strongly advised that customers conduct thorough DR and performance testing of the scenario to ensure that it meets their business and performance needs.

Architecture Overview

The proposed solution comprises deploying two Virtual Machines (VMs) across different zones as active/passive SAP IQ deployment within the Azure East US region. One VM will serve as the Primary VM, hosting the SAP IQ binaries, while the other VM, deployed across a separate zone, will function as the Secondary VM using Azure Site Recovery for zonal DR.

High Level Architecture: SAP IQ on Azure using Premium Files ZRS for Zonal Disaster Recovery

Key Components

Virtual Machines:

Two VMs deployed across different zones in Azure East US.
Primary VM hosts SAP IQ binaries.
Secondary VM configured for zonal DR using Azure Site Recovery.

Azure Premium Files:

Database files hosted on Azure Premium Files with Zonal Redundant Storage (ZRS) feature for data redundancy across zones.

Azure Site Recovery (ASR):

For orchestrating failover to the Secondary VM in case of a zonal outage.
Recovery plan for seamless failover and Disaster Recovery requirements.

Backup Strategy:

Additional Azure managed disk to the Primary VM for regular backups.
Rubrik backup tool backup management capabilities.

Implementation Steps

VM Deployment:

Provision two VMs in Azure East US region across different zones.
Configure networking and security settings for optimal performance and security.

Azure Premium Files Setup:

Create Azure Premium Files storage account with Zonal Redundant Storage (ZRS) enabled.

SAP IQ Installation:

Install SAP IQ Software (binaries) on the Primary VM.
Database files on Azure Premium Files with ZRS feature.
Configure SAP IQ database files to be hosted on Azure Premium Files.

Azure Site Recovery Configuration:

Set up Azure Site Recovery for zonal DR between Primary and Secondary VMs.
Create recovery plan to automate failover process in case of a zonal outage.

Backup Management:

Attach an additional managed disk to the Primary VM for regular backups.
Configure Rubrik backup tool for comprehensive backup management.

Summary
Implementing SAP IQ database on Azure Premium Files ensures zone redundancy of the database files, making them available across zones to achieve an RPO of zero. The Virtual Machine hosting the SAP IQ Software will be a standalone Virtual Machine in the Primary zone, replicated to the target zone using Azure Site Recovery. This solution guarantees high availability of database files across zones and the ability to failover the compute across zones for Disaster Recovery purposes. This approach perfectly aligns with the customer’s requirements and provides a robust infrastructure for running critical SAP IQ workloads on Azure.
The architecture and documentation provided align with general best practices based on the Azure services, and it’s strongly advised that customers conduct thorough testing tailored to their business needs to mitigate any potential technical or business risks associated with deploying SAP IQ.

Additional related references:
Understand Azure Files performance | Microsoft Learn

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