understand the term instance

[Former Member]

HI all,

I want to understand the term what instance means.this is the definition what i have got

"An Instance is an administrative unit that combines SAP system components providing one or more services.

The services provided by an instance are started and stopped together.

You use a common instance profile to set parameters for all components of an instance.

"

So by this definition does that mean that if we have dev , qual and prod all are ecc based systems then we have 3 instances ?I want to understand what this instance means specifically with respect to SAP.

[Former Member]

As said Instance provides services

An SAP instance defines a group of resources such as memory, dispatcher,work processes which provides services

yes that does mean you have 3 instances of ECC server

Rohit