Dynamic Configuration in SAP Integration Suite: One Tenant, Multiple Environments

[jantuma]

Introduction

In today's business landscape, efficiency and cost optimization are paramount. For many organizations leveraging SAP technologies, this often means consolidating resources where possible. SAP Integration Suite is a powerful platform, but licensing and infrastructure costs can lead customers to explore strategies like utilizing a single tenant to handle integrations connected to different backend SAP landscapes – typically Development (DEV), Test (TEST), and even Production (PROD) for specific, lower-impact scenarios.

This approach presents a challenge: How do you configure a single integration flow artifact, deployed on this single tenant, to dynamically connect to the correct SAP system (DEV, TEST, or PROD) for each specific execution? We want to avoid maintaining multiple copies of the iflow logic or resorting to cumbersome manual configuration changes.

In this blog post, we will explore a practical and robust pattern to implement dynamic configuration in your SAP Integration Suite iflows. The core idea is to have one central configuration mechanism (a Groovy script with a configuration map in our example) driven by one simple property (ENV), allowing a single iflow artifact to serve multiple backend environments when deployed as different instances configured for each environment.

The Problem: One Iflow Artifact, Multiple Backend Destinations

By default, when you configure a receiver adapter in SAP Integration Suite (like an HTTP or OData adapter), you typically specify a static endpoint URL and select a specific Credential Name (alias) from your tenant's Security Material.

This works perfectly if your iflow always connects to the same target system. However, consider the scenario where you want to deploy the same integration flow artifact onto a single tenant, but need one deployed instance of it to talk to your SAP S/4HANA DEV system, another instance to talk to the TEST system, and maybe even a third instance to talk to PROD.

The goal is to maintain just one source iflow artifact. We want to avoid:

• Creating and maintaining separate iflow artifacts for each environment (e.g., MyIflow_DEV, MyIflow_TEST, MyIflow_PROD), leading to duplicated logic.
• Manually changing the adapter configuration on the deployed iflow instance whenever you want to point it to a different environment.

We need a way for the single iflow artifact to behave differently at runtime based on which environment it is intended for in that specific execution.

The Solution: Dynamic Configuration Driven by an Environment Property

The solution centers around using a message property as an environment identifier to dynamically look up connection details from a central configuration source within the iflow itself.

The pattern involves these key steps:

1. Identify the target environment for the current execution. We will store this as a message property, for example, ENV.
2. Based on the value of the ENV property (e.g., "DEV", "TEST", or "PROD"), look up the necessary environment-specific configuration details (like the SAP system URL and the required Credential Alias) from a defined source.
3. Use the looked-up URL and Credential Alias to dynamically configure the receiver adapter just before the outbound call.

This way, the core integration logic resides in a single, maintainable iflow artifact. The differentiation between environments is handled by setting the ENV property for each specific deployed instance and using a lookup mechanism.

Implementation Steps

Let's walk through how to implement this pattern using a simple example iflow.

1. The Integration Flow Structure

Here is the basic iflow diagram illustrating the components involved:

• Start Timer: Triggers the integration flow execution (can be any other sender adapter).
• Init Variables: Reads the environment identifier configured for this specific deployed instance and sets it as a message property (ENV).
• Global Config: Contains the core logic to map the ENV property value (e.g., "DEV") to the specific SAP system URL and Credential Alias. This acts as our central configuration store within the iflow design.
• Call SAP: This is the receiver adapter (HTTP, OData, etc.) which is configured to use the dynamic properties set in the previous step.
• End: The integration flow completes.

2. Setting the Environment Identifier (ENV Property) per Deployment Instance

This step is crucial and explains how a single iflow artifact is configured differently for DEV, TEST, or PROD runs on the same tenant. We use Externalized Parameters for this.

• In your single iflow artifact's design, go to the "Externalized Parameters" tab. Define a parameter that will hold the environment identifier value:
• Name: ENV
• Type: java.lang.String
• Default Value: (Optional, but setting a default like "DEV" can be helpful during initial testing)
• Add a Content Modifier step right after your Start event (or wherever you initialize properties). Name it "Init Variables".
• In the "Message Properties" tab of the Content Modifier, configure a new property that reads the value of the EnvIdentifier externalized parameter:
• Name: ENV (This specific name is what our Groovy script will look for)
• Type: java.lang.String
• Value: By “{{“ “}}” define a parameter that will hold the environment identifier value, for example ENV.

Now, here's how you differentiate the behavior without changing the iflow artifact itself:

• You deploy your single iflow artifact to your SAP Integration Suite tenant.
• During the deployment process, or by selecting the deployed iflow instance and going to its "Configure" tab, you provide the specific value for the EnvIdentifier parameter.
• To target the DEV system, you deploy an instance and set ENV to DEV.
• To target the TEST system, you deploy another instance of the same artifact and set ENV to TEST.
• To target the PROD system, you deploy a third instance of the same artifact and set ENV to PROD.

 When each specific deployed instance of the iflow runs, the "Init Variables" step will set the ENV message property to the value (DEV, TEST, or PROD) that was configured for that particular instance during deployment.

3. The Global Config (Script collection)

The "Global Config" step contains the central lookup logic. It reads the ENV property and finds the corresponding connection details.

Create a new package called “Global Config”. 

In the package create a new Script collection artifact.

Inside the newly created collection create a new groovy script and paste the following code into the script editor:

/*
 * Groovy Script to determine environment-specific SAP configuration
 * based on a message property 'ENV'.
 *
 * It retrieves 'ENV', looks up URL and Credential Alias from a map,
 * and sets them as message properties GC_SAP_URL and GC_SAP_CREDEDITAL.
 *
 * Includes robust error handling for missing or invalid ENV property
 * and missing configuration entries.
 */

import com.sap.gateway.ip.core.customdev.util.Message;

def Message processData(Message message) {

    def properties = message.getProperties();

    // 1. Retrieve the ENV property - Assumed to be set earlier from an Externalized Parameter
    def ENV_raw = properties.get("ENV");

    if (ENV_raw == null || ENV_raw.toString().trim().isEmpty()) {
        def errorMessage = "Message property 'ENV' is missing or empty. Cannot determine environment configuration. Ensure the 'EnvIdentifier' externalized parameter is set for this deployed instance.";
        println("Error: " + errorMessage); // Log error to trace
        throw new Exception(errorMessage); // Stop processing with a clear error message
    }

    // Trim and convert to uppercase for consistent lookup
    def ENV = ENV_raw.toString().trim().toUpperCase();
    println("Info: Retrieved ENV property: " + ENV); // Log the found ENV

    // 2. Define the central configuration map - Contains details for all environments
    // IMPORTANT: Hardcoded here, consider Value Mapping for larger configs
    def config = [
        DEV: [
            SAP_URL: "https://dev.sap.com/your/service/path", // Replace with actual DEV URL
            SAP_CREDEDITAL: "DEV_USER_CREDENTIAL" // Replace with actual DEV Credential Alias
        ],
        TEST: [
            SAP_URL: "https://test.sap.com/your/service/path", // Replace with actual TEST URL
            SAP_CREDEDITAL: "TEST_USER_CREDENTIAL" // Replace with actual TEST Credential Alias
        ],
        PROD: [
            SAP_URL: "https://prod.sap.com/your/service/path", // Replace with actual PROD URL
            SAP_CREDEDITAL: "PROD_USER_CREDENTIAL" // Replace with actual PROD Credential Alias
        ]
        // Add more environments as needed, ensuring corresponding Credential Aliases exist in Security Material
        // e.g., QA: [ SAP_URL: "https://qa.sap.com/your/service/path", SAP_CREDEDITAL: "QA_USER_CREDENTIAL" ]
    ];

    // 3. Lookup configuration based on ENV and add error handling
    def envConfig = config.get(ENV); // Using get() returns null if key doesn't exist

    if (envConfig == null) {
        def errorMessage = "Environment '" + ENV + "' not found in the script's configuration map. Please check the 'ENV' property value or the script's configuration. Valid environments are: " + config.keySet().join(", ");
        println("Error: " + errorMessage);
        throw new Exception(errorMessage);
    }
    println("Info: Found configuration block for environment: " + ENV);

    // 4. Retrieve specific configuration values and add error handling for missing/empty keys
    def sapUrl = envConfig.get("SAP_URL");
    def sapCredential = envConfig.get("SAP_CREDEDITAL");

    if (sapUrl == null || sapUrl.toString().trim().isEmpty()) {
        def errorMessage = "Configuration key 'SAP_URL' is missing or empty for environment '" + ENV + "'.";
        println("Error: " + errorMessage);
        throw new Exception(errorMessage);
    }
     println("Info: Found SAP_URL: " + sapUrl);

    if (sapCredential == null || sapCredential.toString().trim().isEmpty()) {
        def errorMessage = "Configuration key 'SAP_CREDEDITAL' is missing or empty for environment '" + ENV + "'.";
        println("Error: " + errorMessage);
        throw new Exception(errorMessage);
    }
    println("Info: Found SAP_CREDEDITAL: " + sapCredential);


    // 5. Set message properties used by the outbound adapter
    // Use distinct property names (e.g., GC_ prefix for Global Config)
    message.setProperty("GC_SAP_URL", sapUrl);
    message.setProperty("GC_SAP_CREDEDITAL", sapCredential);

    println("Info: Successfully set properties GC_SAP_URL and GC_SAP_CREDEDITAL for environment " + ENV + ".");

    return message;
}

Explanation of the Groovy Script:

• Reads the ENV property value that was set based on the deployed instance's configuration.
• Contains a central config map that holds the connection details (URL and Credential Alias) for all environments (DEV, TEST, PROD, etc.). This map is the single source of truth for environment-specific connection details within this iflow artifact.
• Looks up the configuration details specifically for the environment indicated by the ENV property.
• Sets these retrieved URL and Credential Alias values as new message properties (GC_SAP_URL, GC_SAP_CREDEDITAL).
• Includes robust error handling.

Important: Ensure that the Credential Aliases defined in the script's config map exist and are correctly configured in your SAP Integration Suite tenant's "Security Material -> Security Artifacts".

4. Call script collection script

Now we add reference to created Script Collection with Global Config script.

Add a Groovy Script step after "Init Variables" and choose script from our Script Collection.

5. Configuring the Receiver Adapter (Call SAP)

Configure your outbound adapter ("Call SAP") to use the message properties set by the Groovy script dynamically at runtime.

For an HTTP Receiver adapter:

• In the Address field, enter ${property.GC_SAP_URL}.
• In the Authentication section:
• Choose Credential Name.
• In the Credential Name field, enter ${property.GC_SAP_CREDEDITAL}.

This configuration tells the adapter to fetch the necessary connection details from the message properties just before making the outbound call, ensuring it connects to the correct backend system for that specific iflow execution.

Benefits of this Approach

• Cost Efficiency: Successfully run integrations for multiple backend landscapes on a single SAP Integration Suite tenant by deploying multiple instances of the same iflow artifact.
• Simplified Development: Develop and maintain only one core iflow artifact and one central configuration map within that artifact (or linked Value Mapping) for your integration logic, regardless of how many environments it connects to.
• Easier Maintenance: Updates to the core logic are made in one place. Configuration changes (like updating a URL or adding a new environment) require modifying only the central configuration map (in the script or Value Mapping) and redeploying the single iflow artifact.
• Controlled Deployment: Differentiate deployed instances solely by setting an externalized parameter during deployment or configuration, allowing for clear identification (e.g., naming deployed instances "MyIflow - DEV", "MyIflow - TEST").
• Reduced Error Potential: Avoid manual, error-prone configuration changes on deployed artifacts by driving configuration from a controlled parameter.

Considerations and Alternatives

• Configuration Location: While the config map is hardcoded in the Groovy script for simplicity, for larger or more frequently changing configurations, storing this map in a Value Mapping artifact is highly recommended. The Groovy script would then read from the Value Mapping. This externalizes the configuration lookup data from the script code itself, allowing updates without script modification.
• Complexity: This pattern adds a layer of indirection compared to static configuration. Evaluate if the benefits outweigh the complexity for your specific use case.
• Extensibility: This pattern is easily extended to dynamically configure other environment-specific parameters (e.g., directory paths, filenames, specific header values) by adding them to the config map and retrieving them in the script.

Conclusion

Handling connections to multiple backend environments (DEV, TEST, PROD) from a single SAP Integration Suite tenant is a common requirement driven by cost and efficiency goals. By maintaining one core integration flow artifact, implementing a central configuration lookup driven by a simple environment property (ENV), and leveraging externalized parameters to set this property on different deployed instances, you can create flexible, maintainable, and cost-effective integration solutions.

This pattern allows your single iflow artifact to dynamically adapt its outbound connections at runtime, proving that one tenant can indeed effectively serve multiple landscapes with a smart configuration strategy.

Give this pattern a try in your next multi-environment integration scenario!