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STALANKI
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I guess this might be lemon squeezing blog that I have ever engraved! I don’t like to prolong the series further so stretching myself to pen this one. With this I assume that all the mails in my inbox are answered and the series is complete. If you have any queries mail me .It will be addressed here.

Finish thisAspirant to learn SAP XI...You won the Jackpot if you read this!-Part IIbefore you read on further. In the last blog I have not yet completed the mastering the XI components section so I will continue it here.

Mastering Components of SAP XI
We have finished the Integration Repository Objects in the previous blog and it is time to start with the next component of the Integration Builder.


Integration Directory: Integration Directory is nothing but the technical directory of Integrating Systems. Integration Directory allows you to bind the system technical routing information to the interfaces through a communication protocols or adapters The most critical activity in the Integration Directory is configuring the communication channels or deploying modules or deploying your own adapters. I will address that exactly here.

Adapters: The task of an Adapter in SAP XI is to translate from the sender message format to XI message format or XI message format to receiver message format and can also be a called as a communication protocol between sender/receiver and SAP XI. Let us discuss various adapters which are widely and commonly used.

File Adapter: This is easiest adapter to start your hand on with SAP XI. You have the option to receive XML files or flat files. We use file content conversion to handle flat files like CSV files etc.To start with refer Introduction to simple(File-XI-File)scenario and complete walk through for starters(Part1)and Introduction to simple (File-XI-File)scenario and complete walk through for starters(Part2).Now you are an expert and want to handle flat files then refer How to send a flat file with various field lengths and variable substructures to XI 3.0and File Receiver with Content Conversion. If you still have a complicated case and confusion in the content conversion then search using Advanced Search Option with the Keyword file and Author Shabarish.Shabarish almost covered many scenarios in the file content conversion. Also additionally you need to know configuring the file adapter dynamically. If you want to achieve that then read this XI/PI: how to exclude files in a sender File adapter?and The specified item was not found..Most of times we need to generate the file name at the receiver based on a global counter, If you have the same problem refer Dynamic File Name using XI 3.0 SP12 Part - I. In case of file content conversion there can be a problem due to the nested structures and hierarchies , If you encountered that refer Java Mapping to handle flat files in SAP XI.

Idoc Adapter: The next most commonly used adapter is Idoc adapter for sending and receiving Idocs from SAP XI. The foremost step before configuring the idoc adapter is the system settings that have to be done. Refer How to Sample Idoc Scenarios in SAP XI contains exhaustive list and Configuration steps required for posting idoc's(XI).Refer Configuration steps required for sending idoc's (XI) .Configure Introduction to IDoc-XI-File scenario and complete walk through for starters..Refer this master piece if you an expert in Java Convert any flat file to any Idoc-Java Mapping. The most irritating part is manipulating the control records in the Idoc Adapter. Refer The specified item was not found.and The specified item was not found.and Manipulating Idoc Control Records from Payload.You can tunnel the idocs through XI incase of Idoc to Idoc using The specified item was not found.. Refer XI:Idoc Message Packagesfor bundling Idocs. What if you are stuck with a wierd error? Learn by yourself to do things without raising a forum thread for every small thing using Troubleshooting of ALE Process.

RFC Adapter: RFC adapter allows SAP XI to communicate with Integrating Systems using remote function call. It is nothing but a wrapper of SAP JCO. Refer The specified item was not found. and HTTP to RFC - A Starter Kit. Now tell me what you will do if you encounter an error in the RFC scenario or you want to handle multiple RFC destinations in various integrating systems. Refer The specified item was not found. and The specified item was not found..Refer XI : RFCAdapter ReConnect Issue as this is the most common issue in real time.

JDBC Adapter: We use this adapter to connect database systems using the JDBC driver. We need to deploy JDBC driver Deploy JDBC Driver using the link .Start your hands on with FILE to JDBC Adapter using SAP XI 3.0 and Tips and Tutorial for Sender JDBC Adapter.Try out JDBC Receiver Adapter -- Synchronous Select – Step by Stepfor synchronous case. One more thing is to try out Calling stored procs in MaxDb using SAP Xiand JDBC Stored Procedures. Visit this RDBMS system integration using XI 3.0 JDBC Sender/Receiver adapterfor an architectural perspective and XI : Recent Enhancements to JDBC Adapter if you want to be upto date.

Mail Adapter: We can send and receive mails in SAP XI using mail adapter or by configuring SAP Connect and using SAP XI RFC Adapter. Use The specified item was not found. for sending mails from SAP XI and The specified item was not found. and The specified item was not found. for dynamic configurations of mail adapter. Once sender is done try understanding receiver using prasad.ulagappan2/blog/2005/06/07/mail-adapter-scenarios-150-sap-exchange-infrastructure. Using SAP Connect you can send mails by referring the link e-Mail XML messages in PDF format from SAP XI..Also check this How to use SAP XI Mail Adapters for detailed explanation.

SOAP Adapter: SOAP Adapter converts the SOAP messages into SAP XI message format that is SOAP with header attachments. This in an area many needs to really concentrate as it is heart of the ESA literature going forward. Refer Testing XI exposed Web-Servicesand Invoke Webservices using SAPXI.Shabarish also done a good job by posting the blogs RFC -> XI -> WebService - A Complete Walkthrough (Part 1) and RFC -> XI -> WebService - A Complete Walkthrough (Part 2). You can down load a sample SOAP Client tool from SAP SOAP Client Tool.Please refer How to Set Up a Web Service-Related Scenario with SAP XI for delving more deep.

HTTP Adapter: The first thing any one need before starting is HTTP client for testing their scenarios. You can find that here Sample HTTP Client .Refer HTTP to RFC - A Starter Kit and Must fire a HTTP GET from XI?? - - Try this!!! . You can use the handy HTTP tools provided here Some handy HTTP toolsby Robert.

JMS Adapter: I really don’t have a fair idea on this adapter and only help you in providing the links. You need JMS drivers before you start your interface so please refer here Deploy JMS driver and How to use SAP's WebAS J2EE's JMS Queue in Exchange Infrastructure. Do you want to do content conversion in JMS? If yes, Refer How to Use the Content Conversion Module in JMS Adapter .You need to use JMS in synchronous manner then read How to Correlate JMS ?.

Proxies: Proxies are used while communicating with systems like SAP WAS >= 6.20 as they are provided with inbuilt integration engines. You will usually create a message interface in the repository and then generate a proxy in the application system. Proxy executables reside either in sender or receiver systems. Proxies are used only when sender/receiver and SAP XI understand XI message format. The one most important difference between a proxy and adapter is that the adapter converts the sender/receiver format to the XI message format but where as proxy does not need to do that as they natively understand the XI message format. ABAP proxies and Java proxies are available in SAP XI which can be used depending upon the requirements. For ABAP refer ABAP Proxies in XI(Client Proxy) and ABAP Server Proxies and for java refer Java Proxy . Donot forget to activate your proxies using the link How do you activate ABAP Proxies?! What is an error occurs?Donot tell me that you will raise a forum thread! Make a difference! Refer XI: Debug your inbound ABAP Proxy implementation and Monitoring for Processed XML messages in ABAP Proxy.

Creating Adapter Modules: SAP XI Adapter Framework is based on open standards and JCA. So we can customize the modules for our project specific needs.Isnot it? So let us learn that using How to Create Modules for the J2EE Adapter Engine . Michal has gone one step further for configuring the modules dynamically which is documented here The specified item was not found..

Develop SAP XI Adapters : What if SAP XI does not provide the adapter I require for my project? Why cannot we do that if it is based on open standards? Who told you can’t? Need an example? Refer Testing Sample Adapter. Don’t create it simply. Use this guide To Create Or Not To Create An SAP XI Adapter to evaluate your adapter.

Let me to take a long breath for finishing Integration Directory which is really tedious to get all the required and qualitative information.


SAP XI Runtime :It consists of three components Adapter runtime (J2EE) runtime, Integration Server Runtimes (ABAP) and Business Processes Engine runtime. Integration server runtime communicates with the other components for mapping, routing and stateful message processing (BPM).Once the development is complete when we send a sample message from the sender then it has to be sent to the receiver. We can monitor this at the runtime using the runtime workbench and using SAP ABAP transactions. Please refer How to Monitor SAP XI and How to Monitor Integration Processes - ccBPM .


Testing the interfaces : The most critical factor in any successful EAI projects is handling the errors and testing the interfaces effectively. You have lot of info here for many errors. Refer to this blogs The specified item was not found.and Test Your XI Configuration With The New Test Tool.Use this XI : Simulating Extreme Concurrent Message Volume and Simulating XI Messages-Protofor simulating SAP XI messages. We always know however rigorously we test errors will happen as we are no super human beings. Errors are not a problem but we need to handle it in a proper way. Read Error Handling Framework XI(Out-of the box)-Episode 1and Error Handling Framework XI(Out-of the box)-Episode 2.


Transactions: We need to remember many URL’s and transactions while working on SAP XI. Remember this cheat sheet Getting started with XI, part 1: XI 3.0 cheat sheet.


Transport of SAP XI Objects : We know that SAP has usually 3 landscapes for DEV, QA and PRD and SAP XI is no exception. ABAP transport of objects remains the same as like in any SAP landscape and you can transport java object through CMS or File. Refer Overview of Transition from Dev to QA in XIand Transport XI Content using CMS.


Real Time Projects : Many of them want to know what are the activities performed in the SDLC of the SAP XI. It always depends on number of interfaces, complexity of integrating systems and the client time lines. Refer this sheet for a generic overview XI Implementation Methodology Worksheet .


Real World Scenarios: Many people are shooting me e-mails for examples in real time projects. Please refer Real time Scenarios in SAP XI for the same.


Design Patterns, Naming Standards & Best Practices : You need some handy guide for designing better solutions in SAP XI?Isn't it? Do you like to make a difference than a normal XI developer? If yes then read this Important documentation for your process integration projects.I encourage you to take a look at these documents prior to start your process integration project, because they will provide you interesting information that could help you prevent design errors, improve the solution robustness and simplify future maintenance resulting in higher quality software.


Release Notes : SAP XI has major enhancements for the last two year and released various SP levels. If you want to know the new features and be upto date then refer Release Notes of SAP XI.

Importing SAP XI Content: Please refer SAP notes 836200 and 705541.


Training Materials: There are many questions on getting trained on SAP XI and the training material. Refer Training Material for Sap Netweaver XI.


Attending Interviews : This is the question that cannot be answered exactly as it varies on many factors and type of the position applied for. The best thing in an interview is to project your potential before the panel tests your skills. If you are fundamentals are strong then you can face any interview. Abstract Description! Isn’t it? Refer /message/2701952#2701952 [original link is broken]. Too many links might confuse! Search in the forum if you need more!


Certification: You can pass the certification if you have worked on the BOX with the sample scenarios and you have read all the training material thoroughly. Refer this blog where the author shares his experiences. Refer A Beginners Guide to XI Certification Details and Getting Started :: Getting XIted where the authors shares their experiences. I know you will beat me up if I don’t provide info on Sample Questions /thread/25311 [original link is broken].


Books & FAQ: For FAQ refer The specified item was not found.an exhaustive list from miche and XI : FAQ's Provided by SAP (Updated). Who else can you trust for buying a book other than our SAP XI little Master?. Speak to michal for costs..Hehe!..Refer SAP XI Book and SAP Exchange Infrastructure The Official Guide to Integrating Business Processes using SAP XI Techno... and Mastering SAP XI Administration.


Closing the Chapter : Finally I am closing the chapter and Mrs.XI gives this series a gift for New Year. Happy New Year to all!

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