Where should I put my mosaic dataset

Question

Hello all

I have a file Geodatabase with a big mosaic (over 500k tiles) that I need to publish as a map/image service.

My Server is a virtual machine.

All raster data reside on a SAN/NAS disks

The FGDB itself is not too big so I can put it in any where I want.

Where will be the best place?

* On the local C: drive (even it is virtual)
* On the local C: of the machine that runs the virtual machine
* On the SAN/NAS drive (which one is better)?
* Anywhere else (SSD drive)?

Thanks

Mody

JonathanQuinn · Answer

Right, it's understandable that the C:\ drive for a virtual machine is not truly on the local file system, but for the communication between the Server and the mosaic dataset, it'll be quicker than if it were set to a UNC path.

mody_buchbinder · Answer

Thanks for your answers.

The two things I cannot change is that the mosaic is served as a service and the server is virtual.

The C: drive is not the same as the C for physical machine.

This is the reason for the question.

Thanks

JonathanQuinn · Answer

If you're concerned with performance, reducing the amount of requests that need to go over the network is going to be key.  You'll want to put the file geodatabase on the local Server machine so that at least to reach the mosaic dataset, ArcGIS Server doesn't need to reach the network.  It will have to to retrieve the actual tiles through the network, but that seems unavoidable given the amount of data you're serving.  Following Lance's suggestion, you can still set up a UNC path for the data so other users can use it in their Desktop applications.