The SAP Cloud Connector is a key component provided by SAP that serves as a link between SAP BTP applications and on-premise systems. It acts as a secure gateway, enabling cloud applications running on the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) to safely access data and processes residing within your internal corporate network.
Bridging the Cloud-On-Premise Gap
In today's hybrid IT landscapes, connecting cloud services with existing on-premise systems is crucial. Many organizations rely on established backend systems like SAP S/4HANA, SAP ECC, or databases hosted within their data centers. SAP BTP applications, while powerful and flexible, often need to interact with these systems to retrieve data, trigger processes, or provide comprehensive solutions.
The SAP Cloud Connector addresses this challenge by establishing a secure tunnel from your on-premise network to the SAP BTP. This means your cloud applications can consume on-premise services securely without the need to expose your entire internal landscape to the public internet.
Key Capabilities and Benefits
Based on its design and function, the SAP Cloud Connector offers several significant advantages:
- Secure Connectivity: Creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your on-premise network and SAP BTP, ensuring data transmission is protected.
- Controlled Exposure: Allows for a clear configuration of the systems that are exposed to the SAP BTP. You precisely define which internal systems (e.g., specific hosts and ports) and which resources within those systems are accessible from the cloud, thus protecting your internal network.
- Simplified Setup: The connector combines an easy setup process compared to traditional methods like setting up VPNs for every required connection.
- Resource Utilization: Lets you use existing on-premise assets securely and efficiently, leveraging your current investments without requiring complex network reconfigurations.
- Reduced Security Risk: By not requiring open firewall ports from the internet into your internal network, it significantly lowers the attack surface.
- Audit Trail: Provides logging and monitoring capabilities to track access and usage.
Essentially, the SAP Cloud Connector acts as a reverse invoke proxy. Instead of opening incoming connections to your network, the connector initiates an outgoing connection to the SAP BTP, and the cloud platform then routes requests securely through this established tunnel back into your on-premise environment.
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Tunnel | Encrypted connection from on-premise to SAP BTP | Data privacy and integrity |
| Selective Exposure | Configure specific systems/resources accessible from the cloud | Enhanced security, control over exposed assets |
| Easy Configuration | User-friendly interface for setup and management | Faster implementation, reduced complexity |
| Reverse Invoke | On-premise initiates connection outwards | No incoming firewall ports required, improved security |
| Leverage Assets | Utilizes existing on-premise systems (databases, ERPs, etc.) | Maximize ROI on existing infrastructure |
In summary, the SAP Cloud Connector is an essential piece of the puzzle for organizations integrating their on-premise SAP and non-SAP systems with cloud applications running on the SAP BTP, providing a secure, controlled, and easy-to-manage bridge.
