When should you set up the table distribution during an SAP HANA migration to a scale-out landscape?

Setting up table distribution before migrating to a scale-out landscape in SAP HANA is essential for optimizing performance and ensuring that the database schema is aligned with the new architecture from the outset. Proper distribution of tables across the different nodes in a scale-out setup allows for efficient data processing and faster query response times.

By determining the distribution strategy ahead of time, you can strategically position data based on how it will be accessed, minimizing data transfer between nodes during runtime and enhancing parallel processing capabilities. This proactive approach helps to leverage the full potential of the scale-out architecture, ultimately leading to improved performance and resource utilization once the migration is completed.

Implementing table distribution after the migration would typically lead to a less-than-optimal performance as the system would operate under an unoptimized state until the distribution was properly configured. Similarly, setting it during the migration could complicate the process and introduce risks that could affect data integrity or system stability. Thus, establishing table distribution beforehand ensures that the entire migration process runs more smoothly and effectively.