SAP Hana backup fails with "ERROR: switch_list missing from parameter file"

Problem

A SAP Hana backup fails almost immediately if the initSAP.utl file has not been configured correctly

Error Message

In the SAP Hana BACKINT.log file located in this directory on the SAP Hana Master Node /usr/sap/<SID>/HDB00/<hostname>/trace the following message will occur

BACKINT.log
2014-04-11 22:23:28.000 backint started:
  command: /usr/sap/GD2/SYS/global/hdb/opt/hdbbackint -f backup -p /sapmnt/shared_UTL/initSAP.utl -i /var/tmp/hdbbackint.McYywR -o /var/tmp/hdbbackint.EORvIL -u GD2 -s 1397280208187 -c 1 -l LOG
  pid: 75986
  input:
  #SOFTWAREID "backint 1.04" "HANA HDB server 1.00.60.379371"
  #PIPE "/usr/sap/GD2/SYS/global/hdb/backint/log_backup_0_0_0_0"
 
2014-04-11 22:23:28.000 backint terminated:
  pid: 75986
  exit code: 0
  output:
  #SOFTWAREID "backint 1.04" "Symantec NetBackup backint 0.1"
  ERROR: switch_list missing from parameter file /sapmnt/shared_UTL/initSAP.utl  

  ERROR: switch_sem missing from parameter file /sapmnt/shared_UTL/initSAP.utl  

  ERROR: switch_log missing from parameter file /sapmnt/shared_UTL/initSAP.utl  

  ERROR: incorrect format or option in .utl file (-p)

Cause

In the Symantec NetBackup™ for SAP Administrator's Guide Release 7.6 it states that, for SAP Hana the initSAP.utl file used for the backup must be edited to uncomment ( remove the hash '#' comment from in front of the Keyword )  the POLICY keyword and specify the correct policy name that is configured on NetBackup Master Server to take a SAP HANA backup.

The sample initSAP.utl file provided by NetBackup also has the SWITCH_LIST, SWITCH_LOG and SWITCH_SEM keywords also uncommented ( No hash '#' comment in front of the Keywords ) as well. So if the NetBackup sample initSAP.utl file is used then all the user is required to do to the file is uncomment the POLICY keyword and specify the correct policy, and make no further changes

However if the user edits the sample initSAP.utl file provided by NetBackup and uncomments  ( removes the hash '#' comment from in front of the Keyword )  the POLICY keyword and specifies the correct policy for the backup, and then also adds a Hash  '#' comment mark at the front of the SWITCH_LIST, SWITCH_LOG and SWITCH_SEM keywords, so that now these 3 Keywords are now Commented out. Then the error seen the BACKINT.log will occur. SAP Hana requires the SWITCH_LIST, SWITCH_LOG and SWITCH_SEM keywords to be set.

Solution

Edit the initSAP.utl file used for the SAP Hana backup and remove the comment Hash marks '#' from in front of the SWITCH_LIST, SWITCH_LOG and SWITCH_SEM keywords. This will eliminate this error and the backup will proceed