topic Re: Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully? in ArcGIS Enterprise in the cloud Questions

Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully?

KAUSHIKDAS — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:09:58 GMT

Hi All,

I am currently planning a highly available, multi-machine ArcGIS Enterprise deployment on Azure to support a Utility Network transformation for a utility client. The proposed architecture includes two machines each for Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, and ArcGIS Data Store.

I wanted to check whether it is feasible to use Azure Application Gateway in place of the ArcGIS Web Adaptor. My thought process is that this approach could potentially help reduce costs associated with additional Azure Virtual Machines that would otherwise be required to host the Web Adaptors.

Has anyone implemented or evaluated this setup? I would appreciate any insights or recommendations regarding compatibility, configuration considerations, or potential limitations.

Thank you,
Kaushik

Re: Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully?

BorisMinnaert2 — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 15:16:34 GMT

Yes you can. However there may be reasons to use the ArcGIS Web Adaptor too. E.g. the team responsible for the Azure Application Gateway is typically different from the team responsible for the ArcGIS Web Adaptor. In some situations it is convenient to have control yourself. But technically you can do without the ArcGIS Web Adaptor.

Re: Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully?

JoshuaBixby — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 16:34:32 GMT

This is exactly the reason we continue to deploy ArcGIS Web Adaptor both on-prem and in the cloud when upstream network devices could replace it. In large organizations, managing across silos always adds time and complexity to change management, and that is best case. Worst case, fighting personalities and silos can make for real headaches.

Re: Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully?

KAUSHIKDAS — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:56:04 GMT

Thank you @BorisMinnaert2 for your response. I was wondering, are there any functionalities or capabilities that I might lose by using Azure Application Gateway instead of the ArcGIS Web Adaptor? Specifically, could this impact features such as the ArcGIS Utility Network capability or integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) for authentication and federation?

Re: Can Azure Application Gateway Replace ArcGIS Web Adaptor Fully?

KAUSHIKDAS — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:55:49 GMT

Thank you @JoshuaBixby for your response.

I’m curious — if we use Azure Application Gateway instead of the ArcGIS Web Adaptor, would we lose any functionality? For example, could it affect the ArcGIS Utility Network features or the integration with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) for authentication or federation?