RFC and IDoc

[Former Member]

Hello

Both RFC and Idoc adapters are used to connect to SAP system from XI. Why is that we have to configure RFC Destination, port and partner agreement for Idoc while we do not have to do that for RFC ? Both use the same RFC protocol still we do the configurations only for Idoc. Can someone explain to me the technical reasons why we do that

Thanks

Radhika

[prateek · Accepted solution]

Both use the same RFC protocol

Incorrect. This is the reason why they are different. RFC adapter communicates wih SAP using TCP/IP protocol. Idoc uses ABAP RFC connection.

Idoc uses the ALE layer for communication and therefore follows the port, partner profile path. SAP has always intended to create Java based adapter and therefore RFC is on ABAP stack. Earlier may be there could be some technical limitation of placing Idoc adapter on Java engine and therefore it was placed on the Integration Server (ABAP Engine) directly. With PI 7.1 new EhPs, even Idoc adapter would be available on Java stack.

Regards,

Prateek

[Former Member]

refer these thread then you will be more clear about RFC and Idoc adapter

[rajasekhar_reddy14]

Hi,

RFC Adapter resides in Adapter Engine,

IDoc resides in I.E,when you triiger an IDoc it directly Hits I.E,like communication with Other SAP System.

Thats why we need to create the port .....details for IDoc.

But coming i future it IDoc adapter ,HTTP Adapter moving in to JAVA Stack,wait till 2010 july.

in PI7.1 EHP1 there are too many changes in Idoc adapter,like Idoc package we can do at Sender IDoc adapter level.

Regards,

Raj

[former_member187339]

Hi Radhika,

>>Why is that we have to configure RFC Destination, port and partner agreement for Idoc

We require RFC destination for both IDoc and RFC, but only their types are different. The reason for this difference in type i s IDoc works on the ALE mode and RFC is send to the Java stack of PI

SAP To PI communication using IDOC is an ALE connection (just like any SAP to SAP), but RFC connection is like connecting a R3 to Java stack and hence we dont need the port and partner agreement.

I read somewhere soon SAP will release a PI which will have its own IDOc & HTTP adapter in Java stack

Regards

Suraj