Why is it better to use Proxies and not adapters

[Former Member]

When I connect 2 systems via XI, i can use proxies (if supported by the external systems) or adapters.

The general view of SAP is that I should use (JAVA or ABAP) proxies where possible, and not adapters.

Why are these "better" than file adapter or idoc adapter (monitoring, error handling, performance, ?????).

thanks,

Jan

[Former Member]

Hi Jan,

The way I understood this is 2 fold: Firstly all new interfaces into SAP will be developed using proxies, in other words you would be adhering to development standard development, much like BAPI's used to work.

Secondly, personally I believe you save on performance over using adapters and reduce complexity. With adapters you have a 3rd "system" that needs to be maintained. When you use proxies only the Business Systems have to be maintained. In SAP<->XI interface the communication is between two Integration Engines which means one call, instead of a call to an adapter which then calls the Integration Engine.

Hope this helps a little.

Christiaan

[Former Member]

Christiaan,

I believe the use of Proxies means that proxies have to be generated on the R3 side. If one uses the 'save' classic IDOC technology I believe that one main advantage will be that with the use of the IDOC-adapter nothing have to be generated. Only for ALE/EDI some settings have to taken care of on both R3 as XI side.

Jack

[Former Member]

Jack,

I agree with you here. It would be less work and probably just as clean. However when you do implement the IDOC adapter you are doubling up on the queue functionality ( you queue once in XI and once in the R/3 system) and you would have to monitor 2 systems for possible problems. If the IDOC scenario includes a BAPI it would be just as easy to call the BAPI inside your proxy and only have one central queuing and monitoring system. I suppose it is a matter of preference.

Also, I may not have made it clear but when I spoke about "new" interfaces I meant interfaces that are not pre-existing as a standard SAP interface. In other words it is envisaged that SAP will be developing all "new" interfaces using the proxy technology.

Regards

Christiaan

[Former Member]

As received from SAP :

Proxies support both Synchronous and Async. Connectivity - ALE/IDOC is only Async.

Proxies don't use standard IDOCS, but what you decide to use in the proxy def. on SAP side.

Proxies are only supported on 6.20 onwards.

I would use IDOC adapters for standard IDOCS - and if no ABAB knowledge is available for maintenance.

If there is a standard ALE scenario available - I would use it (eg. Masterdata replication).

If ABAB is already extensively used in the organisation and they are running 6.20+ - I would use proxies.

I would always prefer proxies for Synch. Communication - instead of RFC (if running 6.20+).