SAP NetWeaver Process Integration explained

SAP NetWeaver Process Integration (SAP PI) is SAP's enterprise application integration (EAI) software, a component of the NetWeaver product group used to facilitate the exchange of information among a company's internal software and systems and those of external parties. Before the current version, SAP PI was called SAP Exchange Infrastructure (SAP XI). Like other NetWeaver components, SAP PI is compatible with software products of other companies.

SAP calls PI an integration broker because it mediates between entities with varying requirements in terms of connectivity, format, and protocols. According to SAP, PI reduces the TCO by providing a common repository for interfaces. The central component of SAP PI is the SAP Integration Server, which facilitates interaction between diverse operating systems and applications across internal and external networked computer systems.

PI is built upon the SAP Web Application Server.

First release of SAP Exchange Infrastructure was XI 2.0. Later on, releases 3.0, 7.0, 7.1, 7.1 EHP1, 7.3 and 7.31 followed. From release 7.0 onwards, SAP Exchange Infrastructure has been renamed as SAP Process Integration (SAP PI).

Single Sign-On

SAP NetWeaver PI allows for Single Sign-On through SAP Logon Tickets^[1] and x.509 certificates. Certificates allow for the usage of Secure Network Communications (SNC) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

Further reading

• Book: Pontus , Borgstrom . Michal Krawczyk . Korneliusz Kordus . 2020 . Testing SAP APIs: Strategy and Execution . SAP Press . 978-1-4932-1998-8.
• Book: Stumpe , Jens . Joachim Orb . 2005 . SAP Exchange Infrastructure . SAP Press . 1-59229-037-X.
• Book: Nicolescu , Valentin . Burkhardt Funk . Peter Niemeyer . Matthias Heiler . 2006 . Entwicklerbuch SAP Exchange Infrastructure . SAP Press . 3-89842-810-9.
• Book: Banner , Marcus . Heinzpeter Klein . Christian Riesener . 2009 . Mastering SAP NetWeaver PI — Administration . SAP Press . 978-1-59229-321-6 .
• Book: Krimmel , Mandy . Joachim Orb . 2010 . SAP NetWeaver Process Integration . SAP Press . 978-1-59229-344-5 .
• Book: Mutumba Bilay , John . Roberto Viana Blanco . 2015 . SAP Process Orchestration - The Comprehensive Guide . SAP Press . 978-1-4932-1018-3 .

Brief history of SAP PI

Release	Release to Customer (General Release)	End of Maintenance
Exchange Infrastructure - XI 2.0	16.12.2002 (16.05.2003)	31.12.2006
Exchange Infrastructure - XI 3.0	31.03.2004 (01.01.2005)	31.03.2010
Process Integration - PI 7.0	24.10.2005 (06.06.2006)	31.12.2017
Process Integration - PI 7.1	14.12.2007 (25.07.2008)	31.12.2020
Process Integration - PI 7.11 (EHP1)	20.03.2009 (31.07.2009)	31.12.2020
Process Integration - PI 7.30	29.11.2010 (30.05.2011)	31.12.2020
Process Orchestration - 7.31 (EHP1)	21.11.2011 (16.05.2012)	31.12.2020
Process Orchestration - 7.4	10.05.2013 (10.05.2013)	31.12.2020
Process Orchestration - 7.5	20.10.2015 (20.10.2015)	31.12.2027 (with possible extension to 31.12.2030)

See also

• Comparison of business integration software
• Single Sign-On
• Secure Sockets Layer
• Secure Network Communications
• SAP Logon Ticket

External links

• Process Integration (PI) & SOA Middleware discussions, blogs, documents and videos on the SAP Community Network (SCN)
• SAP NetWeaver Process Integration Overview Page
• SAP Library - SAP NetWeaver Exchange Infrastructure
• Process Integration Handbook by Peter Gutsche (SAP AG)

Notes and References

1. http://help.sap.com/saphelp_nwpi71/helpdata/en/32/1c1041a0f6f16fe10000000a1550b0/frameset.htm Single Sign-On Configuration - Procedure for PI Web Components