As organizations adopt hybrid cloud strategies, integrating on-premise systems with cloud applications becomes a critical requirement. The SAP Cloud Connector is a key component that facilitates secure and reliable connectivity between on-premise landscapes and the SAP Cloud Platform (SCP). Understanding how to work with the Cloud Connector is essential for any SAP professional involved in cloud integration projects.
The SAP Cloud Connector (SCC) is a lightweight software agent that acts as a secure reverse proxy, enabling communication between the SAP Cloud Platform and on-premise systems without exposing those systems directly to the internet.
It provides a controlled and encrypted tunnel through which cloud applications can access on-premise resources such as SAP S/4HANA, SAP ERP, databases, and other legacy systems. The SCC handles security, authentication, and connectivity management, simplifying hybrid integration scenarios.
- Secure Tunnel: Establishes an outbound SSL/TLS-secured tunnel from the on-premise network to SAP Cloud Platform, eliminating the need for inbound firewall openings.
- Access Control: Allows fine-grained control over which resources and services are exposed to the cloud.
- Protocol Support: Supports HTTP(S), RFC, and other protocols to enable diverse integration use cases.
- Multi-Tenant Support: Connects multiple SAP Cloud Platform subaccounts from a single Cloud Connector instance.
- Monitoring and Logging: Provides dashboards and logs for monitoring connection status and troubleshooting.
¶ Setting Up and Working with the Cloud Connector
- Download the SAP Cloud Connector installer from the SAP Support Portal.
- Install it on an on-premise server or virtual machine that has network access to both the SAP Cloud Platform and internal systems.
- The system requirements include Java Runtime Environment (JRE), supported OS versions, and sufficient resources.
- Access the Cloud Connector administration UI via a web browser (usually at
https://localhost:8443).
- Set up the initial administrator user.
- Define the SAP Cloud Platform subaccount(s) that the Cloud Connector will serve.
- Establish trust between the Cloud Connector and the SAP Cloud Platform using authentication credentials.
- In the Cloud Connector UI, add the backend systems that need to be exposed to the cloud.
- Specify system hostnames, ports, and protocol types (e.g., HTTP, RFC).
- Define resource paths that the cloud applications can access, applying precise access control rules.
- For each system, configure which paths or services are accessible.
- Use pattern matching and include/exclude rules to tighten security.
- For example, allow only specific OData services or REST endpoints.
- Use the Cloud Connector’s built-in tools to test connectivity from the cloud to on-premise systems.
- Validate authentication and resource availability.
- In SAP CPI, configure sender or receiver adapters (like HTTP or OData adapters) to use the Cloud Connector.
- Specify the on-premise system’s virtual host and port as configured in the Cloud Connector.
- The SCC handles routing and security transparently.
- Security: No inbound firewall changes are necessary; the connection is outbound from on-premise.
- Simplified Connectivity: Abstracts the complexity of network and security settings.
- Granular Access: Restricts cloud access only to explicitly permitted resources.
- Reduced Risk: Limits exposure of sensitive systems to external networks.
- Hybrid Cloud Enablement: Essential for extending cloud applications with on-premise data and processes.
- Regularly update the Cloud Connector to the latest version to benefit from security patches and new features.
- Monitor logs and dashboards proactively for early detection of connectivity issues.
- Use strong authentication and secure passwords for Cloud Connector administration.
- Limit access scopes to the minimal necessary resources.
- Document configurations thoroughly for auditing and maintenance.
The SAP Cloud Connector is a critical enabler for hybrid cloud architectures within the SAP ecosystem. By providing secure, manageable, and flexible connectivity between SAP Cloud Platform and on-premise systems, it allows organizations to leverage cloud innovations while preserving existing investments. Mastering the Cloud Connector setup and management is essential for SAP architects, integration specialists, and administrators working on cloud extension projects.