Subject: SAP-CPI (Cloud Platform Integration) in SAP Field
In hybrid integration scenarios where cloud applications need to securely access on-premise systems, SAP Cloud Connector plays a pivotal role. It acts as a secure, reliable bridge between SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) and on-premise landscapes, enabling seamless and protected data exchange. This article introduces SAP Cloud Connector, its architecture, key features, and its role within SAP Cloud Platform Integration (CPI).
SAP Cloud Connector is a lightweight software agent installed within your corporate network that provides a secure tunnel between on-premise systems and SAP BTP services. It ensures that cloud applications such as SAP CPI can access on-premise resources without exposing them directly to the internet.
- Secure Connection: Establishes an outbound HTTPS tunnel from on-premise to cloud, eliminating the need for inbound firewall openings.
- Selective Resource Access: Allows fine-grained control over which on-premise systems, services, or paths are accessible.
- User Identity Propagation: Supports Single Sign-On (SSO) and user identity mapping between cloud and on-premise.
- High Availability: Supports clustering and failover for resilience.
- Simple Administration: Configured via an intuitive web UI.
- Integration with SAP BTP: Natively integrates with SAP CPI and other BTP services.
- Cloud Connector Agent: Installed on-premise, it acts as a reverse proxy.
- SAP BTP Region: Cloud Connector connects to SAP BTP subaccounts using secure tunnels.
- On-Premise Systems: Backend systems like SAP S/4HANA, ERP, or databases are exposed selectively.
- Firewall: Only outbound connections from Cloud Connector to SAP BTP are required.
Within SAP CPI, Cloud Connector is critical to enable:
- Secure invocation of on-premise APIs, OData services, RFC calls, or IDocs.
- Hybrid integration flows combining cloud and on-premise components.
- Real-time and batch data exchange with internal SAP systems.
¶ Installation and Setup
- Download and Install: Available from SAP’s official site; supports Windows and Linux.
- Configure Connection: Connect Cloud Connector to your SAP BTP subaccount with tenant details.
- Define Access Control: Specify internal host and port mappings to expose necessary on-premise resources.
- User Management: Configure admin users and roles for Cloud Connector access.
- Test Connectivity: Validate successful tunnels and resource accessibility.
- Limit Access: Only expose necessary systems and services.
- Use VPN or Private Links: Where possible, combine Cloud Connector with secure network connections.
- Monitor Logs: Regularly review Cloud Connector logs for security and troubleshooting.
- Keep Updated: Use the latest Cloud Connector version for security patches and features.
- Plan High Availability: Consider clustering in critical environments.
SAP Cloud Connector is an essential component for hybrid integration scenarios, providing a secure and manageable way to connect SAP BTP services like SAP CPI with on-premise landscapes. Its ease of deployment, security features, and tight integration with SAP cloud services make it a fundamental tool in modern SAP integration architectures.
Next Article (022): Configuring SAP Cloud Connector for SAP CPI Integration