SAP integrates a J2EE environment into the Web Application Server and supports Java and ABAP in parallel within one server using a common database. The functions of a SAP Web Application Server consists of four major building blocks:
The Internet Communication Manager (ICM)
It is an independent process responsible for communications between the Web Application Server and external supporters over intranets or the Internet using standard protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The communication is carried out using a high-performance, memory-based communication channel named memory pipe. ICM also significantly improves Web site performance and scalability using dynamic and active content caching technology.
Figure 1: Detailed Architecture: SAP Web Application Server
Business Environment
The environment is the component responsible for the business content and underlying logic of the enterprise that is published using the BSP/JSP.
ABAP Environment is based on SAP�s application server development and deployment environment. All existing components, such as business objects, can be used for the business logic.
J2EE Environment consists of a full-featured, J2EE-certified runtime environment that processes the request passed from the ICM and dynamically generates the response. This enables Web application developers to create Web applications that include the presentation and the business logic by using standard Java or J2EE technology. The SAP Java Connector (SAP JCo) enables method calls between Java applications and ABAP applications (and vice versa). The SAP Java Connector also meets the J2EE standard specification for the integration of enterprise information systems i.e., the J2EE Connector Architecture.
F The connectivity hiccups between different application servers and Enterprise Information Systems can be solved by the J2EE Connector. The J2EE Connector architecture is part of the J2EE 1.3 platform, which is based on the standardized technology of the J2EE.
Connectivity
To integrate third-party products, tools, and applications, the Web Application Server supports several open connectivity standards. As a result, the Web Application Server provides complete technical interoperability across all SAP and third-party components. The Web Application Server supports Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), XML-based protocol for exchanging information.
Relational Database
Web Application Server uses an exhaustive repository for exchanging sensitive enterprise data. In order to deploy successful Web Services, a set of Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) tools are also required.
