Upgrading to Enterprise from only ArcServer

Question

We are upgrading our GIS software from ArcGIS Server 10.6.1 to Enterprise 11.3. We will be doing the interim step of 10.9.1 first. What are the recommendations for the install of Enterprise in this process? It appears my options are:

1. Update Server to 10.9.1 on the current machine, complete prep for update to 11.3, then do a new install of Enterprise 11.3 on new machines and migrate.

2. Install Enterprise 10.9.1 on the current machines, prep for the update to 11.3, then update Enterprise to 11.3.

3. Update Server to 10.9.1 on the current machine, install Enterprise 10.9.1 on new machines, migrate to Enterprise, prep for update to 11.3, update Enterprise to 11.3.

We are a small municipality with no more than two dozen services. Any recommendations on how to get to 11.3 the smoothest would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

TraeTimmerman · Answer

You could do that. If you're going to republish your services anyway (instead of using a migration technique), you could just install 11.3 on a new machine and publish your services there.

JChristoff · Answer

Thanks Trae, this is helpful. Downtime is not a problem as long as it's scheduled, but I would like to avoid it if its possible. This is an interesting puzzle. Could we do an in place upgrade to 10.9.1, then mirror it on new machines, upgrade the mirrored Server to 11.3, then implement Enterprise. Once it's up and running with the new services, republish all the services pointed to the Enterprise machines. I have a pretty good IT staff that can easily handle all the non ESRI parts of the upgrade too.

TraeTimmerman · Answer

Hey @JChristoff ,

I would suggest upgrading ArcGIS Server to 10.9.1 then to 11.3 prior to implementing ArcGIS Enterprise to prevent the need to upgrade ArcGIS Enterprise. You can perform the ArcGIS Server upgrade in-place or migrate to a new machine. Typically, for ArcGIS Enterprise migrations, it's easier to migrate components that are at the same version, so you might standup ArcGIS Server 10.6.1, migrate, upgrade to 10.9.1, upgrade to 11.3, then implement ArcGIS Enterprise.

Upgrade and migration strategies are often informed by your organization's tolerance for downtime. If you cannot afford much downtime, it probably makes sense to migrate to a new machine and build ArcGIS Enterprise around the migrated site.

There are plenty of additional considerations when migrating from a standalone ArcGIS Server site to ArcGIS Enterprise. Feel free to reach out if you think you might need hands-on assistance.