ArcGIS Server10.1, SDE and MS SQL Server2008 running on Virtual Server

Question

Does ESRI suggest keeping databases on a physical server for ArcGIS 10.1?

I am being asked by my IT to answer questions regarding potential virtualization of our current GIS servers. We are set up with two physical servers, one running SQL & SDE and the other dedicated to webservices. I am hesitant to virtualize (using vmware) given that ESRI suggests not to implement ArcServer and RDBMS this way.

DanielSmith · Answer

Hello,

At our shop we are currently running vmWare (vSphere 4  Essentials). The server is currently hosting 3 virtual machines, 1 GIS  Development, 1 GIS production @10.0 and another GIS production machine @  10.1 (still in the process of migration). The production GIS  servers are both running ArcGIS Server 10.X with SQL Server and SDE. I  really like this set up mainly b/c it provides me with more machines  than I would ever get if we had to physical boxes. Performance has been  really good so far.

hope it helps.

JessicaKirby · Answer

If your IT is smart, virtualization will make no difference and probably even increase performance if it's hooked up to a properly built SAN.

Does Esri really say not to use virtualization somewhere in the docs? If they do, it's probably because it adds a huge layer of complexity, especially for troubleshooting, but with a good IT dept. that will not be an issue.

There is an old forum post from June 2010 where an ESRI Senior Member says...
"While possible, and supported, ESRI does not recommend production use of virtual servers
for any ArcGIS Server components...." and

"Databases should always be run on physical servers. ArcSDE should be run on the
same physical server as the database (unless you're using clustered database
technology). The only reason to run ArcSDE on a virtual server is if you'll only be using Direct connect"

But alot has changes since 2010

GISDev1 · Answer

Does ESRI suggest keeping databases on a physical server for ArcGIS 10.1?

I am being asked by my IT to answer questions regarding potential virtualization of our current GIS servers. We are set up with two physical servers, one running SQL & SDE and the other dedicated to webservices. I am hesitant to virtualize (using vmware) given that ESRI suggests not to implement ArcServer and RDBMS this way.

If your IT is smart, virtualization will make no difference and probably even increase performance if it's hooked up to a properly built SAN.

Does Esri really say not to use virtualization somewhere in the docs? If they do, it's probably because it adds a huge layer of complexity, especially for troubleshooting, but with a good IT dept. that will not be an issue.