Apache reverse proxy setting for access to Backend

Question

Hi experts,
we have set up apache reverse proxy to make available our NW portal (and SRM functions)over the internet.
Our settings look something like this:
ProxyRequests Off
<VirtualHost *:80>
     ServerName myportal.portalhosto.com
     ProxyPreserveHost On
     ProxyPass /irj/ http://myportal.portalhost.com:53200/irj/
     ProxyPass /webdynpro/ http://myportal.postalhost.com:53200/webdynpro/
     ProxyPassReverse /irj/  http://myportal.portalhost.com:53200/irj/
     ProxyPassReverse /webdynpro/  http://myportal.portalhost.com:53200/webdynpro/
     ErrorLog logs/myportal.portalhost.com-error.log
     CustomLog logs/myportal.portalhost.com-custom.log combined
RewriteEngine On
     RewriteRule ^/sap/(.*)$ http://mybackend.backendhost.com:8020/sap/$1 [P,NC]
</VirtualHost>
Problem:
when we access the portal from the internal network(either by using the internal URL or external URL) things work fine.
But we access the portal from internet, we are able to login to the portal and acess all webdynpro Java related applications.But when we try to acess the BSP/WD abap application running on a backend SRM system, we get 'host not found' message with the INTERNAL url of the SRM backend application displayed.
Do we need to expose the SRM backend to the outside world via reverse proxy as well?If yes,how?Do we need to change the system definitions in portal for that?
Any help in resolving this would be greatly appreciated.
regards,
Kiran

Answer 1

Hi,
Do we need to expose the SRM backend to the outside world via reverse proxy as well?If yes,how?Do we need to change the system definitions in portal for that?
Yes , you have to expose your backend system using reverse proxy ...
When user access the portal and when he clicks on BSP/WD , the URL get re-directed to backend system.
But , as your backend system is not expose on internet , you get an error as host not found.
So, to solve your problem you have to expose your backend system on internet. It is in general pratice to expose on internet.
Thanks
Anil