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Adapters in SAP Cloud Integration: When and how to use them

Imon12
Explorer
Saturday
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INTRODUCTION
 
The links that are identified as adapters in SAP Cloud Platform Integration allows the integration layer to communicate with both internal and external systems using a variety of protocols, data formats, and authentication techniques.
 
APPLICATIONS OF Adapters
 
Whenever possible, use an adaptor which includes:
  1.  Two systems interact via different protocols (e.g., SOAP to HTTP).
  2. Data is required to be sent to or received from a system.
  3. Either synchronous (HTTP, OData) or asynchronous (IDoc, AS2) communication is utilized in the data exchange.
  4. The system needs specific security requirements (OAuth, SAML, certificates) and formats (XML, JSON, CSV).
 
When to Use an Adapter and How to Apply in CPI?
 
The Hypertext Transfer Protocol is used to receive webhook calls or establish a connection using REST APIs. To expose an endpoint, use HTTP Sender; to use an API, use HTTP Receiver. Set authentication, headers, and the method (GET/POST).
SOAP when utilising WSDL-based SOAP web services. Either define a WSDL structure in the Sender or configure a WSDL URL in the SOAP Receiver. Make use of certificates and Basic/Auth.
OData for SuccessFactors or S/4HANA CRUD operations. Use a receiver adapter for OData V2/V4. Entity, headers, and SAML or OAuth2 authentication needs to be specified.
For structured SAP messages, starting with those from SAP ECC/S4, use IDoc in order to get IDocs from SAP and to use IDoc Sender. Also, it would be able to push information into SAP via RFC, using IDoc Receiver which requires connectivity to SAP.
SFTP is used for file-based integration (which includes uploads and downloads in.csv and.xml formats). Besides it is used to poll files from various servers, use SFTP Sender. SFTP is also used to upload files using Receiver while setting up user/key authentication, host, and port.
Mail is used when email sending or receiving is necessary for integration. For sending emails, we can use a mail receiver (SMTP). To check the inbox, use Mail Sender (IMAP/POP3). Making use of MIME converters.
The Success Factors is used to integrate with SF Employee Central via OData. Utilize the appropriate OData entity routes, set up your OAuth2 credentials, and use the SuccessFactors Receiver Adapter.
AS2 is used for secure B2B/EDI communication (pharma, retail, etc.).For outgoing messages, use AS2 Receiver; for incoming messages, use AS2 Sender. In addition to that AS2 can set up partner agreements, EDI settings, and digital certificates.
JDBC adapter is used while logging into SQL, Oracle, or MySQL databases on-premises. For secure on-premises access, utilize the JDBC Receiver and set up drivers, SQL queries, and Cloud Connector.
Ariba is used for SAP Ariba integration which is related to procurement. Ariba Network Adapter should be used for setting up document types (PO, invoice) and certifications which is typically asynchronous.
"Twitter/FB/3rd" is utilized when public APIs or social media are used for integration. Use an appropriate API endpoint with an HTTP adapter which can manage API keys or OAuth2 tokens.
 
 
Essential Setup Procedures (How to Apply in Integration Flow)
 
1. Select the adapter:
  • In your iFlow, drag a Sender or Receiver participant.
2. Set up the adapter:
  • Select the appropriate adapter type, such as OData or HTTP.
  • Add details specific to the protocol (URL, method, headers).
  • Establish authentication.
3. Transform and Map:
  • To format or update the message, use Script, Message Mapping, or Content Modifier.
4. Examine the iFlow:
  • Install the Monitor and use it to look for incoming and outgoing messages.
 
Ideal Methods
  • Use externalized parameters (such as credentials or URLs) through Value Mapping or security artifacts whenever possible .
  • Use secure authentication methods like OAuth2, SAML, or certificates for sensitive systems (like IDoc and OData).
  • To cope with adapter problems (which might include file not found or timeout), use Exception Subprocesses.
  • Install Cloud Connector if you're interacting with on-premise services

CONCLUSION

Adapters enables systems to interact via different protocols synchronously or asynchronously. Adapters also enforces security, helps in implementing message transformations exchanged between different protocols or data formats and scheduling event-driven integration.  Hence adapters are one of the best tools in SAP CPI which helps developers to maintain an effective and secure way to send data within different systems .