Application Server as Z

[former_member586174]

Hi Expert,

in my previous company, we had to use the T.code cg3z und CG3Y to dealing with Application Server now in my new company they has defined somehow the Z driver as an application server.
In this case, we put the data/files easily there and read them...
so my questions are:

- When and how can one define Z driver as an application server.?
- Which advantages and disadvantages do we have ..?
- Is there any difference between both of them regarding open close read statements...?

Best Regards
Jenie

[kiran_k8]

Jennie,

Drive is nothing but a location on the Application server.

Refer to FILE T code and understand the concept of Logical and Physical Paths.

K.Kiran.

[Jelena]

kiran.k8 - I suspect your first statement is correct but this has nothing to do with FILE transaction, based on the question.

[Jelena · Accepted solution]

Application server is just a server. It's a computer, it has a hard drive on it, with directories and all. I'm guessing you meant "Z drive", not driver (these are 2 different things), so that probably mean somehow there is place designated as a shared network folder.

It's not possible for us to know how this is implemented exactly in your organization. If I was an admin I probably wouldn't just share one of the folders on the app server, that would seem pretty risky. There might as well be FTP running behind this, who knows.

Regarding specific questions:

- When and how can one define Z driver as an application server?

A: There is nothing "defined as an application server", based on the information in your question. See the explanation above.
- Which advantages and disadvantages do we have ..?

A: Obviously this is more convenient than C... transaction or FTP. Disadvantages: mostly security related and additional work for Basis admin.
- Is there any difference between both of them regarding open close read statements...?

No. Regarding file access the only difference in SAP is between application server (OPEN DATASET command) and presentation server (GUI FM or method).

[former_member182550 · Accepted solution]

Another option is that it could be mapped locally ?

Explorer->Right Click 'This PC'->Map Network Drive

Rich

[Jelena · Accepted solution]

richard.harper - yes, that's probably how they get "Z drive", essentially, but to do that first you'd need an accessible shared location created in the network. Usually SAP application servers are not just sitting there exposed to such mapping.

[former_member182550 · Accepted solution]

I didn't realise that Jelena, I thought that if you could see the server, and you had rights to a directory then you could map it.

Rich

[ArthurParisius · Accepted solution]

Jelena, I agree with your statement that's it's not usual, however I have seen situations where such a situation has indeed been used. Meaning that such a shared location was available from SAP as well as for a select group of users.Arthur

[Jelena · Accepted solution]

richard.harper - I think we're actually on the same page here, in a nutshell. Yes, you need to have rights and access to a directory, how exactly it's setup that's details. I just wanted to point out that someone needs to give you such access beforehand, it's not like I can map as a drive some random location on my own. Thanks!

aparisius - "from SAP" doesn't necessarily mean an app server. There could also be a designated file server and no one using it would know the difference (because as far as ABAP goes it works the same way). I wouldn't claim, of course, that no one ever shares a directory on an app server. If it's just a sandbox, for example, then have at it, I guess. Anyway, that's rather outside of my area of expertise, maybe some Basis folks could chime in.