FeatureServer using File Geodatabase data

Question

Hi,

So I've done something that I didn't think was supported and it's working but I don't know if it's a good idea or not. I'm wondering if I should proceed? It is working good for now. ArcGIS Pro is 3.4.3 and Enterprise is 11.4.

I'm publishing a web map to use with Experience Builder. First I built up my Pro project with layers pointing to File Geodatabase. Then I published MapServer to ArcGIS Server. After publishing the MapServer I went into the configuration in Server Manager and turned on Feature Access with only Query and Allow Geometry Updates turned off, FeatureServer started and works like you'd expect, there is a REST endpoint and Features are being served. In the past you always had to have the data stored in a Enterprise SDE database to serve features so I'm wondering if this is something new or will be supported going forward? I don't really want my FeatureServer to quit working when I update Enterprise.

If I try to republish the service I have to turn off Feature Access first and then turn it back on. It worked when I did that though.

Thanks

JoshKalovGIS · Answer

@TanuHoque @JoshuaBixby I don't know OP's need for Feature Access but for us, Feature Access/Feature Services (plus editor tracking) is the recommendation from Hub in order to make them compatible with newer Hub download features: Data download settings—ArcGIS Hub | Documentation

JoshuaBixby · Answer

You can load an individual layer of a map service into a Pro map without having to add the whole map service.  I assume most of the browser-based web mapping platforms are the same.

DHighness · Answer

We aren't doing any editing in this app, just query. Feature layers are the more modern way of doing web mapping. With feature layers we add each individual layer to the web map rather than the single map image. There are more configuration options in the web map with feature layers rather than MapServer layers.