Which function does the SAP HANA system installation rely on for scaling out?

The correct choice is the shared file system, as it plays a crucial role in scaling out SAP HANA systems. A shared file system allows multiple HANA nodes to access the same data and configurations, enabling seamless management and distribution of workloads across different servers. This capability is vital for achieving high performance and efficient resource utilization when the system is expanded horizontally.

When scaling out HANA, the shared file system facilitates data synchronization and consistency between the nodes, which is essential for maintaining high availability and performance. The architecture allows for dynamic scaling without significant downtime, ensuring that the addition of new nodes enhances the overall processing capacity and data handling capabilities of the HANA system.

In contrast, dedicated physical servers, high availability clusters, and virtual machines are relevant in different contexts but do not inherently provide the same level of integration and efficiency required for scaling out in a HANA environment. While these options may be components of an infrastructure, they do not address the specific needs of data accessibility and coordinated workload management that a shared file system does for SAP HANA.