ICM_HTTP_CONNECTION_FAILED: Processing error in ICF

Hello SAP Experts,

Error when calling SOAP Runtime functions: SRT: Processing error in Internet Communication Framework: ("ICF Error when receiving the response: ICM_HTTP_CONNECTION_FAILED").

Please let me know what this error indicates and how to resolve it.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Cause of the error

The error ICM_HTTP_CONNECTION_FAILED occurs when the SAP system fails to establish an HTTP connection to the external target system during SOAP communication. Possible reasons include:

1) Network Issues:

The target server is unreachable due to network problems, firewall blocks, or incorrect hostname/IP.

2) ICF Service Inactive:

The required ICF (Internet Communication Framework) service is not active in the SAP system.

3) Incorrect Target URL:

The endpoint URL provided for the SOAP service is invalid or incorrect.

4) Proxy Configuration Issues:

If a proxy server is configured, it may be misconfigured or not reachable.

5) SSL/TLS Certificate Problems:

The connection fails due to missing or invalid SSL certificates when using HTTPS.

6) Timeout Configuration:

Connection or response time exceeds the defined timeout settings in SAP or the external system.

Solution

1. Network Issues

Verify connectivity to the target server:

ping <target_server_url> curl -v https://<target_server_url>

• Check if the firewall allows communication between SAP and the target server.

2. Activate ICF Services

Go to transaction SICF and activate the required service. Please follow the steps below:

• Navigate to t-code SICF.
• Now search for services under /default_host/sap/bc/srt.
• Right-click the service and choose Activate Service.

3. Correct Target URL

• Check and validate the SOAP service URL configured in SAP.
• Update the endpoint URL in transaction SOAMANAGER, if necessary.

4. Proxy Configuration

• Confirm proxy settings in SAP:
  Use transaction RZ10 to check the following parameters:

  icm/HTTP/proxy_host = <proxy_hostname> icm/HTTP/proxy_port = <proxy_port> 

• If a proxy is not required, remove these parameters.

5. SSL/TLS Certificates

• Go to transaction STRUST and check if the SSL certificate of the target server is installed in the SSL Client (Standard) PSE.
• Import the certificate if missing.

6. Timeout Configuration

• Adjust timeout settings in the SAP system profile to allow more time for the connection:

  icm/server_port_<xx>/timeout = <value> rdisp/max_wprun_time = <value> 

7. Logs and Traces

• Use t-code SMICM to view communication-related logs.
• Analyze SOAP runtime errors in SRTUTIL for detailed insights.