Heterogeneous meaning "diverse in character or content" (Oxford English Dictionary) describes a system copy where either operating system or database type will be changed during the copy.
Generally a version upgrade of Operating System or Database platform does not require a Heterogeneous copy, i.e. Windows Server 2000 to Windows Server 2003 or Oracle 8.1.7 to Oracle 9.2.0 would be considered a Homogeneous System Copy, however Windows Server 2000 to HP-UX 11i or Oracle 8.1.7 to MSSQL 2000 would be considered a Heterogeneous System Copy.
A Heterogeneous System copy almost always requires an export and import of the database. This means the old system must have the capacity to export the data and store it somewhere that the new system can read it. As the export server is usually the older, and therefore slower, this is where careful planning can help.
In order to perform a heterogeneous system copy on a production system it is mandatory to get an SAP OS/DB Migration Check performed, which is fee based but can be taken instead of a standard Earlywatch Session. It is also essential that a certified migration consultant performs the migration of all the systems in the landscape, including the non-production ones as part of the project. For more information see SAP Note 82478.
Up to 4.6D, R3Setup is used to control the migration and from then, SAPInst. Both of these programs use the underlying SAP programs R3ldctl, R3szchk and R3Load. Additional java tools in the form of the Package Splitter, Table Splitter and Migration Monitor can be used to reduce export and import time by as much as 60%. These java tool are described further in SAP note 784118. Using the migration monitor it is even possible to run the export and import in parallel.
The aim of any migration is to keep the process as simple as possible and only introduce complexities where they are necessary in order to meet the timetable of the copy weekend. To talk to our SAP certified OS/ DB migration consultant, please make an enquiry using the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible... Make an enquiry
http://service.sap.com/systemcopy - quite tricky to read, look on tree structure on left http://service.sap.com/instguides - for some releases of SAP a Heterogeneous system copy guide is included in the installation section, for others you must contact SAP
http://service.sap.com/osdbmigration has information about SAP Services for Migrations, some of which are mandatory a Production Copy
Some useful SAP Notes available at http://service.sap.com/notes
547314 - FAQ: System Copy procedure
960769 - Windows 32 bit to 64 bit homogeneous system copy
612796 - HP-UX PA Risc to HP-UX Itanium homogeneous system copy