Adapters vs. Proxies "Speed"

Question

I am learning adapters now. We can use proxies for sap systems higher or equal to WebAS 6.20 (correct me if i am wrong) and adapters for lower versions. So i am wondering if we should always use proxies (because its faster) for versions higher or equal to 6.20. What are the advantages of using proxies instead of adapters and what are the disadvantages.
Thank you in advance.
Will reward all helpfull answers.

Answer 1

Hi
Adapters are part of the Adapter Framework. Adapters provide the technical connectivity to enable the integration of SAP and non-SAP applications through XIu2019s Integration Engine.Again, Adapters are used for connectivity from and to external systems with XI that cannot communicate via proxies.Adapters are only required in SAP systems older than 6.20 and external systems.
Systems based on 6.20or higher can communicate directly with proxies.
PROXIES
Proxies are adapterless communication.To use proxy communication, you should have systems with Web AS>=6.20. Proxies are class implementation of your message interfaces.
There are two types in ABAP Proxy.
1.Client and Server Proxy.
The data going out from R/3 is called Client proxy( Outbound Proxy) and the data coming inside to SAP R/3 is called Server Proxy ( Inbound Proxy).
The literal definition of a proxy is an object / process authorized to act for another; an agent or a substitute. In simpler terms, proxies in the XI context are objects used to encapsulate the creation (from a sender system) or parsing of XML (at a receiver system) as well as the communication with the relevant runtime components required to send or receive those messages.
Proxies are generated from Message Interface in IR.
The Proxy Runtime controls these objects / processes, and can itself be controlled by the applications it communicates with. The Proxy Runtime currently has the following components available: 1. ABAP Proxy Runtime u2013 Communication using XI or Web Services a. Web Service Runtime 2. Java Proxy Runtime u2013 Communication using XI (J2EE) The objects that the Proxy Runtime then controls are created via Proxy Generation, for both ABAP and Java. In the following sections a u2018clientu2019 proxy is used by an application to send messages outside of the system it resides in (normally to the IS in this context). Conversely, a u2018serveru2019 proxy is used by an application to receive messages from sources outside itself (again, normally the IS in this context)
.Adapters are used when existing applications in various heterogeneous systems (typically legacy systems) need to be integrated using XI. In such case, the development has already been done in these systems, and hence using various adapters, the integration objects in XI are developed. This is called inside-out approach
In case of adapters, the XI developer needs to know the technical details of the system which is to be connected to XI.
But in case of proxies, the developer directly uses the proxies in his applications, without worrying about the underlying technicalities for connecting to XI. So proxies hide technical implementation details from developers who use proxies
Actually the main difference between Proxy and Adapter is:
1. Proxies can only be used to SAP WAS 6.2 or more whereas adapters can be used for any SAP or non-SAP systems,proxies are created on the application system itself.
2.There are two types of proxies.Server and Client proxy.
Server Proxy is located in the destination and client proxy is located in the source.
3.Where as Adapter is located in the middleware i.e in XI box.
Adapters are all ready present in XI like File,IDOC,HTTP,JDBC etc.Proxies are designed by the user depending upon the scenario.
4.proxies are duplicates of adapters.
5.Proxies communicate with the XI server by means of native SOAP calls over HTTP
Just go through these links.
/community [original link is broken]://Re: Difference between Adapter an Proxy-Objects [original link is broken]:///community [original link is broken]://What is difference between Adapter and Proxy
Advantages of using proxy
1) If you have a huge idoc that has to be transferred to ECC, then ideal would be to use a proxy
2)With proxy we get a lot of control on defining the interface, better performance
3) RFC adapter sounds easy , looks easy but comes with a heavy cost compared to proxy.
The disadvantage of proxy is that it involves lot of custom coding.
/people/sravya.talanki2/blog/2006/07/28/smarter-approach-for-coding-abap-proxies
/people/ravikumar.allampallam/blog/2005/08/14/choose-the-right-adapter-to-integrate-with-sap-systems
Hope this clears your doubt
Thanks
Saiyog