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Use

Database Tools

You can use different database tools to manage a database or change data in a database. For more information, see Database Tools and Architecture of the Database Tools.

Figure 1: Database Tool

Applications

Applications use databases to store data and use interfaces to access databases. For more information, see Interfaces.

Figure 2: Application with an Interface to an SAP MaxDB Database

SAP System

SQL Interface to SAP MaxDB

SAP NetWeaver AS

SAP MaxDB SQLDBC

SAP BW

SAP MaxDB SQLDBC

SAP NetWeaver EP

SAP MaxDB JDBC

SAP NetWeaver MI (Clients)

SAP MaxDB JDBC

SAP NetWeaver MDM

SAP MaxDB JDBC

SAP NetWeaver XI

SAP MaxDB JDBC
Figure 3: Interfaces Between an SAP AS System and SAP MaxDB Databases

Global Listener and X Servers (Communication Servers)

Database tools and applications can be located on other computers than the database. They can only access a database that is located on a remote computer if a dedicated SAP MaxDB X server (communication server) is running on that remote computer. Note that the JDBC interface (and therefore Database Studio) needs an X server even if it is installed on the same computer as the database. For more information, see Network Communication and Global Listener and X Servers.

In SAP systems, you can encrypt the data transfer between database tools/interfaces and the global listener/X servers using SSL. For more information, see Database Administration, Encryption.

Figure 4: How an SAP MaxDB Database is Accessed from Remote Computers
Example

There are two SAP MaxDB databases on two different computers in the LAN 2 network. There is (at least) one X server running on each of the two database computers. Using these X servers, SAP systems from the networks LAN 1 and LAN 3 access the databases in LAN 2.

From LAN 1, an SAP NetWeaver AS system accesses a database in LAN 2:

  • For SQL statements, the AS system uses the SAP MaxDB SQLDBC interface.

  • For administration commands, the AS system uses the SAP RFC library and the SAP MaxDB DBM RFC server.

From LAN 3, an SAP NetWeaver EP system accesses a database in LAN 2:

  • For SQL statements, the EP system uses the SAP MaxDB JDBC interface.

  • For administration commands, the EP system uses the SAP RFC library and the SAP MaxDB DBM RFC server.

Figure 5: SAP System Landscape with SAP MaxDB Databases (Example)
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