SAP Fiori - Architecture

The key components in high-level landscape of SAP Fiori architecture are given below.

SAP Web Dispatcher (Reverse Proxy)

SAP Web dispatcher is the first point of contact in SAP Fiori architecture for end users. This handles all web browser requests from end users via mobile devices or laptops.

It is an entry point for all HTTP/HTTPS requests and defines if a system has to accept or reject the requests and the server where request should go. It can reject or accept connection to SAP Fiori system.

Transactional apps can run on any database but Fact sheets and Analytical apps requires SAP HANA database to run.

SAP ABAP Front-End Server

SAP ABAP front-end server contains all the UI components of Fiori system and NetWeaver gateway. These UI components consist of central UI add on, SAP UI5 control library and SAP Fiori Launchpad. It also contains product specific UI. Add-ons contain UI development for respective business suite such as ERP, SCM, SD, MM, etc.

SAP NetWeaver Gateway is used to setup a connection between SAP business suite and target clients, platforms and framework. It offers development and generation tools to create OData services to different client development tools.

SAP ABAP Back-End Server

SAP ABAP Back-End Server is used to contain the business logic and the back-end data. Search model for fact sheets and SAP business suite is contained in ABAP back-end server.

SAP HANA database and HANA XS Engine

HANA XS engine is used to run all analytical apps in SAP Fiori. It contains Fiori app content and virtual data-model reuse content, which is provided through SAP HANA Live.

HANA XS Engine consists of two components −

• HANA Live App content for Business suite.
• Smart Business component with KPI Modeler.

HANA Live content contains VDM reuse content, which can be used for extensibility purpose.

Notes −

• Transactional apps in SAP Fiori does not necessarily require SAP HANA database to run and can run on any database.

• Fact Sheets, Analytical apps and Smart Business run only on SAP HANA database with no exceptions allowed

• HANA is required for search model function of Fact Sheets to work.

• The data requested in Fact Sheets via search models is directly pulled from HANA database.

SAP Fiori Architecture: App Types

SAP Fiori apps are divided into three categories. They are distinguished on the basis of their function and infrastructure requirement.

As mentioned earlier, Transactional apps in SAP Fiori does not necessarily require SAP HANA database to run and can run on any database. Fact Sheets, Analytical apps and Smart Business run only on SAP HANA database with no exceptions.

The picture given below shows SAP Fiori Architecture for SAP Fiori different apps types.

Fact Sheets require Search models to perform search capability in Fiori Apps. Fact sheets are used to drill the key information and contextual information in business operations. In SAP Fiori tiles, you can drill down to further details. It also allows you to navigate from one fact sheets to all its related fact sheets.

Analytical apps and Smart Business apps data come from HANA database through HANA XS Engine.

HANA Live content contains Virtual Data Model reuse content, which can be used for extensibility purpose.

The user places request via Web browser using HTTPS. Trusted RFC is used to communicate between ABAP Front-End and Back-End server.

Hardware and Software Requirements

While installing and configuring SAP Fiori apps system, it is suggested to check the minimum hardware and software requirement to install different components as per Fiori apps requirement.

It is important to understand the concept of UI Add-Ons and NetWeaver Gateway, support packs, which are installed on ABAP Front-End server. The central UI Add-Ons are required for SAP UI5 control library and Launchpad. NetWeaver Gateway is used to set up the connection to back-end server by creating OData service.

• If you install NW 7.4 for Front-end server, all central UI Add-Ons and Gateway components are part of that installation.

• If you install NW 7.31 SPS04 for Front-End server, central UI Add-Ons and Gateway components have to be installed separately.

SAP NW Installation Prerequisites

The minimum hardware requirements for SAP NetWeaver Gateway front-end server are as follows −

HANA 1.0 database requirement is only for Fact Sheets and Analytical Apps.

HANA Live is included with suite on HANA but it is made available as separate package to be installed. SAP HANA Live uses the integrated scenario means SAP HANA Live shares a SAP HANA Appliance with the Business suite.

You install this software component as an add-on for SAP HANA. The SAP HANA appliance software comes pre-installed on a specific appliance hardware system delivered in conjunction with leading SAP hardware partners.

System Landscape requirement for SAP Fiori

System Landscape requirement for SAP Fiori are summarized in the table given below.