Remote User Interface for External Connection Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging external connections in non-heterogeneous enterprise services networks is challenging, especially when developers are not located on the same computer as the running application, due to limitations in remote access and communication protocols like SAP GUI's RFC protocol and HTTP/HTTPS.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote debugging that allows a first client to register with an application server, enabling a user interface to monitor transactions between the application server and a second client system, providing debugging information, using gateways for communication and protocols like RFC, TCP/IP, and HTTP/HTTPS to invoke and manage user interfaces remotely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If SAP GUI is invoked from a remote server using RFC protocol, then remote access to the application is enabled, but the user interface can only be accessed from the computer where the RFC client is running, not from any other computer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that sits between the SAP system and external systems. The gateway translates RFC protocol communications into web service protocols (HTTP/HTTPS), enabling the SAP GUI to be accessed remotely through standard web protocols that can be invoked from any computer with a web browser, not just the local machine where the RFC client runs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameters from proprietary RFC protocol to standard web service protocols (HTTP/HTTPS). This parameter change allows the system to leverage universal web protocol support across different platforms and computers, transforming the restricted local-only access into broad multi-computer accessibility while maintaining remote access capabilities.
2Reliability
If conventional debugging methods are used in non-heterogeneous networks, then debugging is possible on the local system, but debugging of external connections is not possible when developers are located at remote computers
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a mediator that enables remote debugging by translating and forwarding debugging requests from remote developers through web service protocols to the target system. This allows developers at any location to access debugging tools and monitor external connections without being physically present at the application server.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging system is designed with universal accessibility through web protocols, allowing the same debugging interface to be accessed from any computer platform. The multi-functional gateway supports both application communication and debugging operations through a single unified interface, enabling remote developers to perform debugging tasks regardless of their location.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different customer and vendor platforms are integrated in an enterprise services network, then system integration and interoperability are improved, but it becomes difficult to debug errors during application runtime
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a central intermediary that mediates all communications between different platforms in the heterogeneous network. By routing all external connections through this single gateway interface, the system maintains integration capability across multiple platforms while simplifying error detection, as all external interactions can be monitored and debugged through the gateway's unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging mechanism implements feedback by capturing and returning debugging information from external system interactions back to the developer through the web interface. This feedback loop allows developers to observe the state of external connections, monitor data exchanges, and identify errors in real-time, reducing the complexity of debugging in heterogeneous environments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for a remote user interface and remote debugging in a computer system comprising an application server and at least two client systems are provided. A first client operated by a user wishing to debug a remote application running between a second client and the application server registers at the application server. The application server invokes a user interface at the first client from the application system, based on information provided at registration. Using the present invention, in an SAP environment, developers can use the user interface for interactive actions and also debug running of an application, whether on an SAP or non-SAP system, from a remote location.