In an SAP S/4HANA transition project, particularly for new implementations (Greenfield) or when migrating data from non-SAP systems, the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit is used. For the "Migrate Data Using Staging Tables" approach, an optional, separate server can be set up. This server, often referred to as the Migration Server, hosts the staging database (e.g., a dedicated SAP HANA database schema). This architecture separates the data provisioning and preparation workload from the target S/4HANA system, which is beneficial for performance and governance during the data migration phase.

B. Migration Hub: This is a service, often from cloud providers like AWS, used to track the progress of application migrations. It is not a server for data staging in an SAP context.

C. Transition Server: This is a generic and non-official term. While the server is used during a transition, it is not the specific name used in SAP methodology or documentation.

D. Central Instance: A Central Instance is a fundamental architectural component of the target SAP S/4HANA system itself, containing core services. It is not an additional server set up specifically for the migration process.

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1. SAP Help Portal

SAP S/4HANA

Data Migration: The documentation for the SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit describes the "Migrate Data Using Staging Tables" approach. It details the setup where staging tables are created in a separate database schema

which can be hosted on a remote or dedicated server. This dedicated system is functionally the "Migration Server".

Source: SAP Help Portal

"SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit – Migrate Data Using Staging Tables". (Search for "Setting Up a Remote Database Connection" within the Migration Cockpit documentation).

2. SAP Note 2733253 - FAQ - SAP S/4HANA Migration Cockpit - Staging: This official SAP Note discusses the technical setup for the staging approach. It explicitly mentions the possibility of using a remote database connection to a separate database system for the staging tables

reinforcing the concept of a separate server for migration activities.

Source: SAP Note 2733253

Section: "General Information"

Question 5: "Is it possible to use a remote HANA DB for the staging tables?".

3. SAP Activate Methodology for SAP S/4HANA Cloud

private edition: The "New Implementation" roadmap within SAP Activate details the data migration workstream. The task "Perform Data Migration" and its related accelerators describe using the Migration Cockpit with staging tables

which supports the architecture involving a separate migration server.

Source: SAP Activate Roadmap Viewer

"SAP Activate Methodology for SAP S/4HANA Cloud

private edition"

Explore Phase

Task: "Data Migration Planning".