What is the Internet Communication Framework? 

Question

The term Internet Communication Framework is used frequently in connection with the SAP Web AS. What is it exactly?

Answer

The Internet Communication Framework is the layer between the Internet Communication Manager (ICM), which sends and receives HTTP requests, and the SAP Web Application Server work process.

SAP Web Application Server can function both as a Web server and as a Web client. See Server Role and Client Role for information on the role of the ICF in each situation.

If you are developing BSP applications, use SAP’s HTTP Request Handler for BSP applications. The section Using the ICF also describes functions of use to developers.

The section Internet Communication Framework describes all aspects of the ICF.