The rec/client parameter in SAP controls the automatic logging of changes made to client-dependent tables, which is essential for audit trails and system integrity.
Understanding the rec/client Parameter
The rec/client parameter is a critical system profile parameter in SAP that dictates whether changes to client-dependent tables are automatically recorded. This feature is fundamental for maintaining data integrity, providing an audit trail, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements (like SOX or GDPR).
When activated, SAP logs modifications made to the content of these tables, capturing details such as:
- The old and new values
- The user who made the change
- The date and time of the change
- The transaction or program used
How Table Change Logging Works
Client-dependent tables are those whose data is specific to an SAP client (e.g., client 100 might have different master data than client 200 within the same system). Tracking changes to these tables is vital because they often hold critical business data, configuration settings, or user master data.
The logging mechanism ensures that every alteration leaves a footprint, which can later be reviewed for security investigations, troubleshooting, or demonstrating compliance during audits.
Configuration Values for rec/client
The rec/client parameter can be configured with different values to control the scope of table change logging:
| Parameter Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
rec/client = off |
Table change logging is inactive across all clients. |
rec/client = all |
Table change logging is active in all clients of the SAP system. |
rec/client = <client1><client2>... (e.g., rec/client = 001200) |
Table change logging is active only in the specified clients. Multiple clients can be listed consecutively without spaces. |
Important Considerations for rec/client = all
Setting rec/client = all activates logging for every client in the system. While this provides comprehensive tracking, it can lead to:
- Significant Performance Overhead: Constant logging activities consume system resources, potentially impacting the overall performance of the SAP system.
- Increased Database Storage: The log tables (like DBTABLOG) can grow rapidly, requiring more database space and potentially longer backup/restore times.
For these reasons, it's generally recommended to be selective about which clients require comprehensive logging.
Practical Implications and Best Practices
Effective management of the rec/client parameter is crucial for balancing security, compliance, and system performance.
Benefits of Table Change Logging
- Audit Trails: Provides clear records of who changed what, when, and where, essential for internal and external audits.
- Compliance: Helps meet regulatory requirements by demonstrating control over data modifications.
- Security Monitoring: Detects unauthorized changes to critical configuration or master data.
- Troubleshooting: Aids in identifying the cause of data inconsistencies or application errors by reviewing recent changes.
Performance and Storage Management
- Selective Logging: Configure
rec/clientto log only the specific clients (e.g., production clients likerec/client = 100) where audit trails are legally or critically required. - Monitoring Log Tables: Regularly monitor the growth of log tables (e.g., DBTABLOG) and implement archiving strategies if necessary.
- Excluding Tables: While
rec/clientis a system-wide parameter for specific clients, you can further refine logging at the table level using transaction SCU3 by maintaining "Technical Settings" for individual tables (logging can be turned off for specific tables even ifrec/clientis active).
Configuration and Activation
- System Profile Maintenance: The
rec/clientparameter is maintained using transaction RZ10 (Edit Profiles) in the SAP system. - System Restart: After changing the
rec/clientparameter, a system restart is required for the new setting to take effect. - Viewing Logs: Changes recorded by
rec/clientcan typically be viewed using transaction SCU3 (Table History) or through specific application-level change documents.
Example Scenario
Imagine a company running SAP with three clients: 000 (original), 100 (development), and 300 (production). For compliance reasons, they only need to log changes made in their production client 300. In this case, the rec/client parameter would be set to rec/client = 300. This ensures that logging overhead is minimized, while critical production changes are still fully auditable.
[[SAP System Administration]]
