Give me a GUI for ArcSDE

Idea created by pahuja on Mar 25, 2010

Comment • 49

Implemented

Score8900

+915 more

Currently there are little to no easy to use tools to administer ArcSDE. We still use the age old command line tools. I see that ESRI is going in a direction where "easy to use" will be given more importance.

It will be great to have a easy to use Graphycal User Interface to ArcSDE that can allow users to accomplish simple tasks like:

-Starting and Shutting down the services
-Gives ability to rebuild stats and indexes
-Be able to administer user permissions in regards to SDE.
-Be able see which users are logged in

Basically routine ArcSDE dba stuff.

49 Comments

pueblogis Mar 31, 2010 9:00 PM
Option to group users by role in a GUI like this would be fantastic.
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1_WhowasI Apr 1, 2010 6:01 AM
I know that I personally use a retired ArcScript to do some similar GUI checking for my users, but having that function out of the box would be a definite plus.

I would like to also be able to gather stats about the users in a GUI from SDE as well. Average wait time, number of edits, things like that.
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elfrune3 Apr 1, 2010 6:05 AM
Add to this an out of the box post/reconcile scheduler to post/reconcile SDE datasets according to a particular frequency (nightly @ 9 PM, Weekends after 5PM ...) Similar to how you schedule a backup or Antivirus scan. The DBA could pick the times and the "in favor of" when there is a conflict. A report would also be generated if an error was encountered.
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ccgage Apr 1, 2010 6:32 AM
In addition, I would like to see the ability to check the number of connections and the ability to delete unused or orphaned connections. Similar to the command line tool of sdemon.
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MicahW Apr 1, 2010 6:44 AM
These are all great suggestions! I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the idea of being able to schedule post/reconcile. yes i know it can be done with scripts, but a task scheduler would be wonderful.
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bixb0012 Apr 1, 2010 8:39 AM
I support this idea as long as it supplements non-GUI management tools and doesn't replace them. Our organization's experiences with the GUI management tools for ArcGIS Server have demonstrated that GUI alone is not an enterprise-y approach to managing server products.
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bveldkamp Apr 9, 2010 12:16 PM
Great idea, I always have trouble using the command line tools for instance to register existing spatial tables (Oracle Spatial) with SDE.
I'd also like to have some sort of cleanup tool, for when I mistakenly drop a table in Oracle, instead of using the proper sde tools, or ArcCatalog

Berend
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rclipper Apr 13, 2010 10:38 AM
This would be so handy, especially for those of use that have had the role of ArcSDE admin dropped in their laps.
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kreuzrsk Apr 17, 2010 12:54 PM
I remember asking this question of the SDE specialists at the ESRI conference 7 or 8 years ago. Seems lazy that ESRI has not created a supported GUI. Everyone knows this is something all admistrators would use daily. Yes, we need to keep the command line also.

A GUI would be so great for when the SDE admin is on vacation for a non technical user to go in and delete orphaned gsrvrs, etc.
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kirkktx Apr 19, 2010 7:26 AM
Perhaps it could incorporate the GDB Toolset which currently says:

"The Geodatabase Toolset is an "unsupported" extension; ESRI Technical Support is not available."
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arlgis Apr 19, 2010 10:25 AM
We are going on how many years with SDE (10+?) and still no real GUI???? This one just keeps me mind boggled every time there's a new release.
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tromito Apr 21, 2010 9:39 AM
Additionally you could add an option to know the activity of each user on my server SDE
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NZ_DOC Apr 22, 2010 7:09 PM
Agree, basically it could be an "expanded" GDBT that would also include:
1. ability to execute actions rather than only monitoring (i.e. kill user connections, change privileges, post versions, release locks, etc...)
2. organize and manage domains, including finding which FeatClasses they are applied to
3. visualize and manage (schedule?) replica synchronizations
4. monitor and manage the SDE services
5. give the SDE command line a graphical vest
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epaitz-esristaff Apr 23, 2010 10:46 AM
I think this is a wonderful idea that is long overdue. I also agree that if such a GUI is created that is should not replace the traditional command line functions. This GUI could be built into ArcGIS Desktop and for those non-windows users of SDE technology it could also be added to the web interface for ArcGIS Server.
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mkoneya Apr 26, 2010 3:54 PM
Being able to see the privileges that are currently set on a FC/FD would be a great plus. The GUI in ArcCatalog for setting privileges does not show what priviliges are set for a given user. Also, when a new FC is added to a FD, it would be nice if the privileges could be inherited. Right now we have to reset privileges at the FD if an FC is added. As for reconciling, it would nice to see what versions haven't been reconciled and posted.
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katie_harris-esristaff Apr 27, 2010 2:42 PM
it would be great to have a gui for all of the command line tasks!
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stevenbowden May 6, 2010 11:44 PM
I would also like to see consistancy between the command line tools and the gui/geoprocessing tools. For example you can set user permissions on an individual feature class that is inside a feature dataset using the sde_layer command but you can't do it in catalogue. In order to set user permissions on a feature class in a feature data set in catalogue you have to assign the user permissions to the feature data set and then all the feature classes within that data set get the same permission.

Plus the sde_layer command doesn't like versioned datasets so the only way to set user permissions on versioned data sets is through catalogue.

One geodatabase, multiple tools but they should all have the same consistent outcomes.
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Jordyn May 28, 2010 9:55 AM
this would be so helpful
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mmarques-esristaff Jun 7, 2010 3:36 PM
Combine GDBT + SDE Monitor + MXDPerfStat into one GUI COTS extension for ArcCatalog.

SDE administrators need more integrated tools to tune ArcSDE and ArcGIS Server services.
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mmarques-esristaff Jun 7, 2010 3:38 PM
I look forward to see all tools GDBT, MXDPERFSTAT, GDBDesigner, GDBDiagrammer, GDBReporter into ONE extension part of the COTS ArcGIS Desktop software .
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gisborne Jun 14, 2010 4:55 PM
Check out my SDE Remote MON. I would rather see ESRI provide a tool like everyone else, but till then, you can try this http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=14497
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chrissmith Jun 24, 2010 8:44 AM
Also worth having a look at the tool I created - will do some (most) of the sdemon cmds directly from ArcCatalog no need for sdemon to be installed.

http://arcscripts.esri.com/details.asp?dbid=14471
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konzelt Jun 30, 2010 1:20 PM
You said it..."Basically routine ArcSDE dba stuff." You need a GUI for this?
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Blindside Jul 22, 2010 9:43 AM
I would definitely welcome this w/ the GDBT implemented as well. That could be VERY helpful.
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alnesbit Sep 22, 2010 12:16 PM
Hey chrissmith, does your tool work for 9.3?
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lyoung-esristaff Oct 5, 2010 12:02 PM
A GUI for ArcSDE is something we are researching for inclusion with the core software. It has been an on going project to gather the necessary requirements for this type of tool to insure we meet as many expectations as possible. Continue to add your requirements to this item and we will do our best to get something in core in a future release.
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mping Oct 6, 2010 11:47 AM
Add the ability to manage schema locks
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Rica Oct 13, 2010 6:08 AM
i am surprised that the GBDT (toolset) has not been incorporated into the core. the ability to view version and state trees is huge for us, as well as easily locating locks from within ArcCatalog - not all our data managers have the SDE client on their machine.
Expanding on teh functionality of GDBT would be a very welcome functionality.

hey crissmith, does your tool work for 10?
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carrierkh Oct 19, 2010 12:08 PM
How about a dashboard like the Web Enterprise Manager for Oracle.

ESRI has recommended best practices and setting for an SDE GDB with regards to various RDBMS platforms.
It would be nice if this dashboard could review our internal RDBMS settings and give us a warning if a particular setting is not set as recommended.

Additionally, it would be nice to have some of the functionality of the GDBT toolset built into a web interface where we could see the amount of time elasped since statistics were last calculated for a particular object, general health of the database as outlined by best practices from ESRI, and any recommendations to improve performance based on queries executed by client which would make the retrieval of data more efficient. I also second a lot of what others have already posted, but a dashboard for SDE in my opinion is needed given the disconnect that exist sometimes between an ArcSDE Admin and a RDBMS admin. This gives Non-DBA's a way to monitor the health of a GIS Database rather than going through RDBMS interfaces.
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dananrg Oct 30, 2010 7:22 AM
This is long overdue. Look forward to seeing this rise from Under Consideration to Implemented. Users and Esri staff shouldn't have to develop their own unsupported scripts and tools to deliver needed functionality.

Love this Ideas web site. If enough people use it, then there's a quantitative measure of interest. Then Esri can justify putting resources toward the development of things like an ArcSDE GUI.

Please promote ideas.esri.com--and especially this particular idea to your ArcSDE admin friends and colleagues. Talk about it at conferences. Post about it in the forums.
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team04 Nov 17, 2010 6:35 AM
See the privileges that are currently set on a FC/FD would be a great plus.
ArcCatalog not show what priviliges are set for a given user and it's impossible kill connection.
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bbjarlett Nov 23, 2010 8:32 PM
Would be great to have a GUI that allows an SDE DBA to manage the database without mucking about in the command line.
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jweyl Dec 16, 2010 10:24 AM
How about extending this tool set to not only a GUI interface but more Python tools as well so tasks can be automated outside of the batch mode or integrated into other Python code.
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1_tbrophy Dec 28, 2010 9:33 AM
This is long overdue!
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dewright_ca Jan 20, 2011 9:52 AM
This a really long overdue need (can we say since 8.0) to help users that need to manage things from the ESRI level, and take needs away from the DBA who does not know or understand how GIS needs to be optimized.

Many cases I need to handle permissions, build spatial views etc and have a battle with my DBAs because a normal software developer does all his work in storedprocs and we have to work in the ESRI world.

This needs to move from 'Under Consideration' to being 'IMPLEMENTED'
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jpee Feb 28, 2011 3:36 AM
Yes! But please in a way the DBA can integrate it in HIS DBA Tools environment (Dashboard, Plugins for msc or whatever). I dont want our DBA to need an ArcGIS Seminar and an ArcINFO License for managing the database privileges of OUR (Geo)Database.
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Gerald Jun 8, 2011 8:52 AM
I really wish we had this GUI. ive had the arcsde administration dropped into my lap too. if im gonna wish, i would really like just simple, routine maintenance of SDE to be just that and automated through scheduled tasks or some other equivalent.
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dananrg Jul 7, 2011 2:23 AM
I agree with mmarques. And while the following is not about SDE administration, it may be of interest to SDE administrators. I'm helping organize a Special Interest Group at the 2011 Int'l UC to facilitate discussion about GDB modeling.

Description from 2011 Int'l UC agenda:
http://events.esri.com/uc/2011/infoWeb/OnlineAgenda/?fa=ofg_details_form&ScheduleID=2755
"This Special Interest Group will discuss available and forthcoming GDB design tools, patterns, and emerging issues. The group will provide participants with an opportunity to communicate their database design and modeling requirements to Esri staff who will be present."

For more information visit:
http://spatialdba.com

Please take a minute to fill out the following survey:
http://spatialdba.com/limesurvey/index.php?sid=72916⟨=en

I'm keeping the survey open until August 31, 2011. If this is something that might interest your colleagues, please pass it on.
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dananrg Jul 7, 2011 2:25 AM
Hyperlinks didn't work... here's a second try...

Event Description:
http://events.esri.com/uc/2011/infoWeb/OnlineAgenda/?fa=ofg_details_form&ScheduleID=2755

More info:
http://spatialdba.com

User-developed modeling tool survey:
http://spatialdba.com/limesurvey/index.php?sid=72916⟨=en
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pipirilo1 Jul 22, 2011 11:43 AM
in our organization, DBA are one group, ArcSDE is other group, and GIS (I'm in this one) is other group. I'm not allow to run SDE commands, also I'm not allowed to use Oracle SQL Plus or any other Database command. I'm just allowed to use ArcCatalog.
So, if you have a tool in which I can see the privileges for a table, roles, permissions, etc. inside ArcCatalog will be grear for us.
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kwgis Aug 9, 2011 8:39 AM
I'd also like to have the ability to kill orphaned locks on SDE feature layers, allowing me to delete old layers. I've tried using the unsupported GeoDatabase Toolset (GDBT) add-on, but it just crashes in ArcCatalog 10.
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jeff.pace Aug 16, 2011 7:08 AM
If this is implemented, please DO NOT take away the commandline tools. Some of us are DBA/SDE/GIS all in one, and the commandline tools will always be the fastest way to get things accomplished.
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chandesris11 Sep 22, 2011 1:33 AM
do not forget the ability to change SDE name of the schema
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francisco.bjornler Sep 30, 2011 7:26 AM
I would love to have a command line version compatible with powershell and then a GUI made ontop of it or available through ArcCatalog.
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clm42 Apr 9, 2012 8:30 AM
Looks like a lot of this is available at 10.1 http://resourcesbeta.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#/Whats_new_for_geodatabases/016w00000031000000/
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ndei-esristaff May 7, 2012 2:43 PM
Geodatabase Administration tools have been introduced at ArcGIS 10.1 to provide information relating to versions, connected users and locks in an enterprise geodatabase. The geodatabase administrator also has the ability to delete versions, disconnect users and remove user connections with locks on desired objects. For geodatabase administrative functions to be performed, the geodatabase administrator must be granted specific privileges depending on the DBMS being used.

eg. In a sql server enterprise geodatabase, the geodatabase administrator must be added to the processadmin fixed server role for an sde-schema geodatabase in order to disconnect users. No additional privileges are required for the geodatabase administrator to disconnect users from a dbo-schema geodatabase.

Removing connections from a geodatabase in SQL Server
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://resourcesbeta.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/index.html#/Removing_connections_from_a_geodatabase_in_SQL_Server/002q000000r8000000/

'Analyze Datasets' and 'Rebuild Indexes' geoprocessing tools have been added to the 'Geodatabase Administration' toolset.
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ChrisPBacon Jun 14, 2012 7:50 AM
I for one would be scared of having anyone who needed a GUI manage my SDE.
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ASmgarriga Aug 8, 2012 5:08 AM
While this tool is marked as "Implemented" it appears to lack tools to report or manage user permissions.
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mike4267 Oct 16, 2013 7:12 AM
I for one have been using this product for a looooooooong time and i think it would be a great leap forward from the dark ages to have a GUI created and added to the core software.
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