SAP NetWeaver installation
SAP NetWeaver is the technology platform (application server) underpinning many SAP products, providing the ABAP (and Java) runtime, integration and administration foundation. Installing NetWeaver sets up that application-server foundation.
NetWeaver is the technical foundation under classic SAP applications: the ABAP application server with its dictionary and runtime, a Java stack for components such as parts of PI/PO and the Enterprise Portal, and platform services. SWPM installs the stack you need, ABAP or Java, against a supported database; dual-stack is avoided now. The ABAP heritage carries into S/4HANA.
- Watch out: Choosing the wrong stack (ABAP vs Java) for the product.
What NetWeaver provides
NetWeaver is the technical foundation on which classic SAP applications run, it delivers the ABAP application server (and, in some stacks, a Java server), the ABAP dictionary and runtime, and platform services for security, integration and administration. Products like ECC, BW and PI/PO are built on NetWeaver.
ABAP vs Java stacks
- ABAP stack: runs ABAP-based applications (the majority).
- Java stack: runs Java-based components (e.g. some PI/PO, Enterprise Portal).
- Dual-stack: historically combined; now generally avoided/split.
The installation
Like other SAP systems, NetWeaver is installed via SWPM against a supported database, setting up central services, the database connection and the application server. You choose the stack (ABAP, Java) matching the product you are deploying.
NetWeaver and S/4HANA
S/4HANA uses an evolved application-server foundation, but the NetWeaver ABAP heritage remains: the concepts of the ABAP application server, work processes and the dictionary carry directly across. Understanding NetWeaver is understanding the SAP runtime.
Common pitfalls
- Choosing the wrong stack (ABAP vs Java) for the product.
- Assuming NetWeaver is obsolete, its ABAP foundation lives on.
- Dual-stack installs, generally avoided in modern deployments.