HTTP/2 is the successor of the HTTP 1.1 protocol. It has some performance advantages. The main advantages are the capability of multiplexing and server push. The HTTP/2 protocol was designed for faster page loading even when having longer latency times.
Questions that will be answered in this blog are:
Where can I find more background on the HTTP/2 protocol?
Are there any pitfalls and prerequisites?
How do I switch on the HTTP/2 protocol on my FIORI server?
The prerequisite for support of the HTTP/2 protocol for FIORI and other ABAP web applications is a sufficiently high version of the ABAP stack and webdispatcher (if in use): NetWeaver Gateway version 7.51 or higher, Web Dispatcher 7.49 or higher. The HTTP/2 protocol also has higher security requirements and does require COMMONCRYPTOLIB version 8.4.31 or higher.
How to switch on HTTP/2 protocol support?
In the ABAP system parameters RZ11 switch the parameters icm/HTTP/support_http2 to value TRUE. This can be done dynamically. In Google chrome developer tools the UI developer can see the usage of HTTP/2 protocol (on http call right click on the call to show the Protocol field as well).
If you are using web dispatcher set parameter icm/HTTP/support_http2 to value TRUE as well as wdisp/support_http2_to_backend to TRUE.
Kernel patch
The HTTP/2 protocol implementation is done on kernel level. If you want to switch on the HTTP/2 protocol on your systems, do check the OSS notes with the keyword icm/HTTP/support_http2. You might see there are a few kernel patch OSS notes (using component BC-CST-IC) that solve issues in your area that you use. In case of issues in a productive system with HTTP/2: switch the value of icm/HTTP/support_http2 back to FALSE.
The upload and processing of the last digit patch file can take a long time (typically 1 hour). If you don’t take measures the system will dump after 10 minutes with a time-out.
Goto RZ11 and set rdisp/max_wprun_time to value 12000 (and undo this after the patching). In newer versions of netweaver the parameter is rdisp/scheduler/max_runtime, which needs to be set to 120m.
Now start program /UI5/UI5_UPLOAD_PATCH_TO_MIME:
The file has to point to the file you have downloaded to your desktop. Use F4 to select the correct file. The request /task must be a valid unreleased workbench request.
First run in test mode. Wait until it is done (1 hour is normal…). If the result is ok, remove the tick box for test mode and run real mode (yes, 1 more hour to wait).
End result should look like:
After the application of the patch, apply the FLP note (in this case note 2605065).
Now you can start the version overview again to see if the patching was ok:
As you can see the 1.52 version is now updated to level 1.52.23. The 1.48 version is the same.
When you want to apply last digit patch on Q and P systems, you can move the transport you have selected in the upload step. The unfortunate thing is that the import to Q and P of this transport also takes about 1 hour. This means you need to properly plan the import (especially on production select a time where no users are using FIORI apps).
Patching versus upgrading
The goal of last digit patching is simple: it solves bugs in the SAP delivered UI5 libraries. But it can also bring new bugs.
Best patching strategy: only patch when you have a bug that must be solved. Then patch to latest version. Don't think last minus one, since the UI5 patches come every 2 to 4 weeks: just take latest one. If your system is stable: don't patch.
Upgrading to a higher FIORI frontend server will give you new libraries which will have new functions. Also: the higher frontend servers have better performance due to faster ABAP kernel, better caching features etc. If you are using newer S4HANA solutions, you will be forced to upgrade frontend server to specific minimum version.
Best practice upgrading: if you are using central FIORI gateway server plan for upgrade every year or every 2 years at minimum. Every year at least apply support pack: the support pack will also to do last digit patching as well. After support pack or full version upgrade immediately patch to last digit version available before starting the testing.
Main versions are delivered in new netweaver releases and/or support packages. There is a special blog written on the subject of last digit patching.
You can also check the main SAP UI component in the ABAP part with System/Status:
Per version you can look up upcoming ABAP UI component support pack stack information and planning at this SAP site.
Finding version of a specific standard SAP app
If you want to know the version information of a standard SAP app, you simply click on the Information button in the personalization when you in the app:
Recalculation of app indexes is needed after an upgrade or support package installation with new apps. Also when you install extra addon this is needed. Another use case is when you have deployed your own new app via transport or when you applied a large OSS note with new app code via transport. Program to run is: /UI5/APP_INDEX_CALCULATE. You can run for single app. Or after support package: run in full. It is wise to have this program run in delta mode at least daily.
If you have a custom theme created you can set it as default for everybody. For instruction see this blog. This blog also describes how to reset a users’ theme setting in case of issues a user might have after upgrade (garbled screen).
/UI2/FLP start issues
Transaction code /UI2/FLP can be used to start the FIORI launchpad. There can be issues using Internet Explorer. The best browser to develop and test issues is Chrome.
For user measurement and use of the ODATA calls, you can use the FIORI ODATA metering functions in the Netweaver Gateway component. Read more in this blog.
Configure backend system to jump to FIORI frontend server
In some use cases, you want to jump from the ABAP backend system to the FIORI frontend server. This is possible, but requires setup. The setup is described at sap help files online.
FIORI search
To activate FIORI search, please read this dedicated blog.
FIORI notifications
FIORI can sent push notifications to the end-user:
To set up these push notifications, read this dedicated blog.
FIORI app support is a powerful tool to find out what the source of issue there is for your FIORI app. It can check missing ODATA activation, missing SICF activation, authorization issues. Log files can be downloaded to SAP for further analysis. Read more on FIORI app support in this blog.
FIORI apps impacted by an S4HANA upgrade
FIORI apps can change between versions. Older apps are replaced by new ones. You might need to act on this if the apps are used by the business. To get a list of SAP FIORI app differences, follow the instructions from this SAP blog.
Testing FIORI tiles for slow network or high latency
FIORI tiles and web developments might be slow with users further away from the server. If the application has many round trips built in the increase network latency will definitely kill the end user performance.
Read more in this blog on how you can simulate a distant user in Chrome to analyze the issue.
Manage KPI tiles
SAP FIORI comes with a powerful tool to setup KPI tiles based on embedded HANA views. Read more about the manage KPI tiles in this blog.
A system refresh of a netweaver gateway hub system is not needed in most cases. In case of embedded gateway: if the system is refreshed (for example from productive system towards acceptance system), running the cache refresh and UI5 app indexing is sufficient. See OSS note 3111069 – Task list clarification post System copy/System Refresh in Embedded deployment.
Monitoring FIORI gateway system
You can monitor FIORI gateway system using SAP Focused Run. Read this dedicated blog on monitoring Gateway systems.
ODATA V2 versus ODATA V4
SAP is moving from ODATA V2 towards ODATA V4. Read more on ODATA V4 activation in this blog.
FIORI 3D visualization demo
For a demo on 3D visualization using FIORI element goto SAP web page and load the attached file: SAP Pocket Knife (unzip before use):
The advantage of using the FIORI element to show 3D visualization is that you don’t need to install the fat client for 3D viewer on your laptop or desktop.
