Top 20 SAP CPI Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for your next SAP CPI interview with our comprehensive guide to top SAP CPI interview questions and answers. Covering key concepts, integration scenarios, adapters, mapping, and troubleshooting techniques, this resource is ideal for beginners and experienced professionals looking to excel in SAP Cloud Platform Integration roles.

Basic Level Questions

What is SAP CPI?

  • Answer: SAP CPI (Cloud Platform Integration) is a cloud-based integration service that enables seamless integration between on-premise systems, cloud applications, and third-party solutions. It is a part of the SAP Integration Suite.

What are the key features of SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Key features include pre-built integration content, API management, message transformation, secure communication, monitoring, and scalability.

What are the components of SAP CPI?

  • Answer: SAP CPI consists of the following:
  • Integration Flows
  • Adapters
  • Message Transformation and Mapping
  • Process Orchestration
  • Monitoring and Reporting

How does SAP CPI differ from SAP PI/PO?

  • Answer: SAP CPI is cloud-based, has lower infrastructure requirements, and supports agile integration. SAP PI/PO is on-premise and more suitable for complex, large-scale enterprise systems.

What is an Integration Flow (iFlow) in CPI?

  • Answer: An iFlow is a graphical design of an integration scenario in SAP CPI, enabling data flow between sender and receiver systems.

Intermediate Level Questions

What are the different types of adapters available in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Common adapters include:
  • HTTP
  • SOAP
  • OData
  • FTP/SFTP
  • Mail
  • IDoc
  • JMS
  • SuccessFactors

Explain the role of Content Modifier in CPI?

  • Answer: The Content Modifier is used to modify or add message headers, properties, and payload during integration.

What is a Groovy Script in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Groovy scripts are used for advanced data manipulation and custom logic that cannot be achieved through standard mapping.

What is a Message Mapping in CPI?

  • Answer: Message Mapping transforms data from one format (source) to another (target) using graphical mapping tools or scripting.

What are the different message exchange patterns in SAP CPI?

  • Answer:
  • One-Way (asynchronous)
  • Request-Reply (synchronous)
  • Advanced Level Questions

How do you secure data transmission in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: By using encryption (HTTPS, SFTP), authentication (Basic, OAuth, Certificate-based), and message-level security standards.

What is the difference between Data Store Operations and Data Store Select?

  • Answer:
  • Data Store Operations: Save or delete messages in the data store.
  • Data Store Select: Retrieve saved messages based on a condition.

How is error handling managed in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Error handling is implemented using Exception
  • Subprocesses, Alerts, and Logging mechanisms.

What is an Externalized Parameter in CPI?

  • Answer: Externalized Parameters are used to define values that can be configured outside the iFlow, making it reusable and environment-independent.

Explain the use of Value Mapping in CPI?

  • Answer: Value Mapping translates values from one set to another, often used in scenarios with differing terminologies or formats between systems.

Scenario-Based Questions

How do you connect SAP CPI with a third-party system?

  • Answer: Use the appropriate adapters (e.g., HTTP, SOAP, or OData), configure endpoint URLs, authentication, and certificates if needed.

How would you monitor integration flows in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Use the CPI Web UI’s Monitoring tab to track message processing, view logs, and manage alerts.

Describe a scenario where you used SAP CPI for a complex integration.

  • Answer: Example: “I integrated SAP SuccessFactors with a third-party payroll system using SOAP adapter, data transformation, and exception handling.”

What steps would you take to optimize an iFlow in CPI?

  • Answer: Steps include minimizing Groovy scripts, optimizing mappings, avoiding redundant steps, and using asynchronous processing when possible.

How do you implement API Management in SAP CPI?

  • Answer: Use the API Management component to expose, secure, and monitor APIs, while enabling policy-based control for authentication, throttling, and analytics.

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