Unable to pass a reference to a hosted NAServer network dataset to a GP Tool

Question

I'm trying to publish a GP tool that does some Network Analysis on a Network Dataset and in Pro, the toolbox input parameter is of type GPNetworkDataset. In Pro, I can just choose the network DS in the toolbox UI and everything works, but when published to the server, I'm unable to pass a NAServer URL as the value for the network dataset input, it tells me the input is not of the proper type. We have published the GP tool with this hardcoded to a gdb that we bundle in the service definition, but we need to be able to run this tool against multiple hosted NA Services.

NikMartin · Answer

Yeah I'm trying to use a published NA service as a source for the network dataset. I have successfully used a folder as a data source with the gdb in it, but that creates logistical issues for keeping that data in sync with the published service. I'd really love to be able to do

nd = arcpy.nax.MakeNetworkDatasetLayer(path_to_NA_Service_layer)

NikMartin · Answer

My First attempt was to pass the REST endpoint of the network dataset like:

https://localhost/server/rest/services/NETWORK-DEV/Austin_network/NAServer/net_nd

I suspect the tool which tries to create a NetworkDatasetLayer like

arcpy.nax.MakeNetworkDatasetLayer(in_ds,out_layer)

Can only handle a file geodatabase, NOT a network dataset service of type: esriNAServerNetworkDatasetLayer

I have since created a folder as a Data Store location on the server and have a copy of the Network dataset gdb there, but that's less than ideal since I have a perfectly good NA Service with that layer already there 🙂

JoshuaBixby · Answer

One must remember that ArcGIS Server accesses file-based data sources, including network file shares, using its own credentials and not the credentials of the person who ran and published the tool.  If the credentials running ArcGIS Server don't have access to the data set location, the tool will fail.