The following section shows how to create an SAP connection using the Data Connection Manager (DCM) of Alteryx.
An SAP connection is required to use any Xtract for Alteryx component.

Note: The usage of the Alteryx Data Connection Manager is supported as of Alteryx Designer version 2022.3. If you use an older version of the Alteryx Designer, refer to the knowledge base article Create an SAP Connection to create SAP connections using the Xtract for Alteryx UI.

Note: To use the DCM it needs to be enabled for your organization, see Alteryx Documentation: Data Connection Manager.

Data Sources #

You can combine Xtract data sources with credentials to create an SAP connection.
The installation of Xtract for Alteryx includes the Xtract data source technology that connects to SAP systems.

Creating an Xtract Data Source #

  1. In the main menu of the Alteryx Designer navigate to File > Manage Connections. The window “Connection Manager” opens.
  2. In the tab Data Sources click [New] to create a new data source.
  3. Select the Xtract technology to create an Xtract data source.
  4. Fill out the data source settings for your SAP system, see Xtract Data Source Settings.
    Data-Connection-Manager
  5. Click [Save] to save the SAP connection. The subsection Connection is displayed.
  6. In the subsection Connection select one of the following authentication methods:
    • Plain uses the SAP username and password.
    • SNC uses an encrypted connection between Xtract for Alteryx and SAP with username and password.
    • Ticket Issuer uses SAP Logon-Tickets in place of user credentials. This connection is not encrypted.
  7. Select an existing credential for your SAP system or click + Connect Credential to create a new credential.
  8. Click [Link] / [Create and link] to link the credential to the connection. Example:
    new-data-source

The SAP connection is now available for selection in the Xtract for Alteryx components, see Assigning an SAP Connection to an Xtract Component.

Xtract Data Source Settings #

Technology
There are two possibilities to connect to an SAP source system:

  • SAP Application Server uses a single application server.
    • Host: Host name or IP address of the application server (Property Host).
    • Sys. No.:: A two-digit number between 00 und 99 (Property SystemNumber)
  • SAP Load Balancing uses a load balancing server. For more information, see SAP Help: Load Balancing.
    • Message Server: Name or IP address of the message server (Property MessageServer)
    • Group: Property LogonGroup, usually PUBLIC
    • SID: Three-digit System ID (Property SID e.g., MSS)

Tip: Values to fill out the data source settings can be found in the SAP Logon Pad in the Properties or acquired from SAP Basis team.

Data Source Name
Name of the connection.

Client
A three-digit number of the SAP client between 000 and 999, e.g., 800.

Language
The logon language for the SAP system, e.g., EN for English or DE for German

Advanced Options

Client RFC Library
Select an RFC library. The following RFC libraries are supported:

  • NetWeaver RFC library (sapnwrfc.dll)
  • Classic RFC library (librfc32.dll)

The RFC API (Remote Function Call) allows to establish an RFC connection to an SAP system from an external system that communicates as Client or Server with the SAP system. For more information on SAP libraries, see SAP Help: RFC Libraries.

SAP stopped the support for the library librfc32.dll.

Trace Directory
You can log debug information and save it locally. In the field Trace directory enter a local path to a folder, where you want to save the debug information. For more information, refer to the knowledge base article How to activate tracing for Xtract Products.
Clear the Trace Directory field when it is not needed.

Warning!: Increase of used hard drive memory
A big amount of information is collected when debug logging is activated. This can decrease the capacity of your hard drives dramatically. Activate the debug logging only when necessary e.g., upon request of the support team.

Credentials & Authentication #

You can combine SAP data sources with credentials to create an SAP connection.
The credentials in the DCM include the definition of the authentication method used to connect to SAP.

Creating Credentials #

  1. In the main menu of the Alteryx Designer navigate to File > Manage Connections. The window “Connection Manager” opens.
  2. In the tab Credentials click [New] to create a new credential.
    Credentials
  3. Enter a name for the credential and select one of the following authentication methods:
    • Username and password uses the SAP username and password.
    • SAP SNC uses an encrypted connection between Xtract for Alteryx and SAP with username and password.
    • SAP Ticket Issuer uses SAP Logon-Tickets in place of user credentials. This connection is not encrypted.
  4. Fill out the authentication details.
  5. Click [Save] to save the credential.

The credential is displayed in the list of credentials.

Tip: You can link credentials to multiple data sources.

Plain Authentication #

Enter your SAP username and password.

Plain-Credential

Secure Network Communication (SNC) #

Secure Network Connection (SNC) enables authentication and transport encryption between SAP systems and between SAP systems and third-party tools like Xtract for Alteryx.

  1. Check the SAP parameter snc/gssapi_lib to determine which library is used for encryption in your SAP system. Make sure your SAP basis imports and configures the same library on the application server and on the machine that runs Xtract for Alteryx.
  2. When using SNC, make sure to enter the complete path of the library in the field SNC library e.g., C:\SNC\gx64krb5.dll.
  3. Enter the SAP Partner Name configured for the SAP application server e.g., p:SAPserviceERP/example@THEOBALD.LOCAL.

For more information, see SAP Help: Secure Network Communications (SNC) or refer to the knowledge base article Enabling Secure Network Communication (SNC) via X.509 certificate.

SNC-Credential

SAP Logon Ticket #

You can use Single-Sign-On (SSO) with SAP Logon-Tickets for authentication. This connection is not encrypted.

Enter the URL of an Application Server Java (AS Java) that is configured to issue logon tickets in the field Ticket issuer.
For more information, see SAP Documentation: Configuring the AS Java to Issue Logon Tickets.

SAP-Logon-Ticket-Credential

Assigning an SAP Connection to an Xtract Component #

  1. Drag&drop an Xtract for Alteryx component from the Alteryx Designer toolbox onto the canvas (1). The configuration window of the component opens.
    Create-New-Table-Extraction
  2. Select an SAP connection from the dropdown list (2).

Note: If no SAP connections are available, create an SAP connection in the Alteryx Connection Manager, see Creating an SAP Connection.