Is BAM Tools a prerequisite for EDI/AS2 Runtime in BizTalk Server 2010?

Triggered by a question in BizTalk Forum, I started researching and testing if really BAM Tool is a requirement to install for EDI/AS2 Runtime functionalities.

I was particularly interested in EDI functionality because I’m advising one of my clients to migrate from BizTalk 2006 R2 to 2010 and I really need to know the basic requirements

So, is BAM Tools a prerequisite for EDI/AS2 Runtime in BizTalk Server 2010?

That depends on the functionalities (features) you want to install, but for me the correct answer is NO.

Considerations for Configuring the BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime

BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime is divided into 3 functionalities:

• BizTalk EDI Functionality
• BizTalk AS2 Functionality
• BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime Status Reporting

When you configure the BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime in BizTalk Server 2010, consider the following:

• Enterprise SSO, Group, and BizTalk Runtime must be configured prior to configuring BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime.
• BAM must be configured prior to enable the AS2 and/or EDI/AS2 Runtime Status Reporting features.
• If you are only configuring EDI, then BAM is not required.

In resume:

• For the last two functionalities “BizTalk AS2 Functionality” and/or “BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime Status Reporting”, BAM Tools must be configured!
• But if you want ONLY EDI functionality you don´t need BAM Tools.

Proof of concept

I create a machine only with SQL installed (no Analysis Services and no Integration Services) and after installed BizTalk with these components:

I opened the “Microsoft BizTalk Server Configuration Wizard” and selected “Custom configuration” option:

Note: BAM Tools appears on the right tree because this is necessary only for AS2 and EDI/AS2 Status Reporting feature.

The next step was to configure the following components:

• Enterprise SSO
  • Enterprise SSO Secret Backup
• Group
• BizTalk Runtime
• Business Rules Engine
• And BizTalk EDI/AS2 Runtime with only these two options selected:

• Leave “BAM Tools” and “Bam Alerts” Disable.

Configuration Summary

Conclusion

Although the BAM Tools is an optional requirement and even if you don’t use AS2 functionalities, I advise you to install and configure in order to benefit of all EDI functionalities that BizTalk Server 2010 has to offer you.