I don't think this would be related to a SAS release version. Typically a "keepalive" is needed because some external device is actively monitoring for and closing idle connections. For example the workspace server keepalive is usually used to prevent a firewall/vpn from closing the TCP connection between Enterprise Guide and the Workspace Server due to lack of activity on that connection.
So, either Oracle is closing the session because it's not seeing any activity on it passed some timeout, or an external device like a firewall is doing this.
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Greg Wootton | Principal Systems Technical Support Engineer