To switch from one operation mode to another in the R/3 System, all application server instance definitions must be recognized by the operation mode definition.

Each individual operation mode should contain configuration specifications for each application instance involved. That is, how many work processes and which services (for example, dialog, background processing, spool) each application instance will provide.

You can get this information from the relevant instance profile, or from within the operation modes tool set. You must also verify that you have a corresponding start profile so that any application instance can be started from within the R/3 System.

When you switch operation modes, the new instance settings should be based on the existing profile definitions on the operating system. That is, the number of work processes and important directory path names should be consistent.

You are strongly advised to follow the recommendations above. The benefits of this procedure are:

• The profiles and operation mode data are always consistent.

• You can change profile data, for example the number of work processes, using the profile maintenance tool, and the corresponding operation modes can then be adjusted automatically.

• You no longer have to work with the operating system profile files.

• When all servers are assigned profiles from the profile maintenance tool, the whole system is checked thoroughly for any consistencies.