SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure

SAP NetWeaver XI is one of the strongest and widely used parts of SAP NetWeaver. It replaces the non-efficient integration like “everybody with everybody” by much more efficient integration of central integration hub architecture. It enables integrated communication based on XML (eXtensible Markup Language) and SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol). Communication is running by message exchanging (messaging). Whenever an application needs to send or accept a message, SAP NetWeaver XI makes a highway transporting the message. SAP NetWeaver XI has “traffic signs” and rules ensuring that each message is accepted and delivered exactly according to pre-defined rules.

The objective of SAP NetWeaver XI is to connect application and processes. But there is a problem: almost every application has its own data format. It means that SAP NetWeaver XI must work also as an interpreter specialized on data conversion among applications (SAP and nonSAP). In this way it is possible to exchange data successfully among whatever applications.

The whole communication process among heterogeneous systems via an integration broker can be modeled and controlled on a higher abstract level from the point of view of organization processes and to integrate it with Workflow tools. Business process managing is ensured by SAP Business Proces Management (BPM).

SAP NetWeaver XI consists of the following parts:

• Integration Builder - is a complex environment for business scenario management, interface and mapping during the proposal of integration. It comprises:
  • Integration Repository - it is a place where SAP NetWeaver XI stores metadata describing data types, messages, processes, mapping and connection among them
  • Integration Directory - it is a part where messages and processes described in Integration Repository are connected to a real world
• System Landscape Directory - it is a list of technical information on applications and their components in the whole environment. It contains information as e.g. list of installed components, numbers of application versions etc
• Adapters - connect SAP NetWeaver XI with other systems (SAP and nonSAP) within the whole architecture
• Integration server - central communication and distribution engine processing XML messages and providing services for recipient determination (logic and technical routing) and transformation of message content between the sender and recipient system (mapping)
• Central monitoring – contains tools for work control of the whole system and message transfer among systems