topic ArcServer on VMWare in ArcGIS Enterprise Questions

ArcServer on VMWare

Hernando_CountyProperty_Apprai — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 19:28:34 GMT

I currently have two ArcGIS Servers both on VM Machines. I want to create a third server by cloning one of the existing ones. Is this possible?

Re: ArcServer on VMWare

Anonymous User — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 19:38:28 GMT

If the VM you intend to clone already has an existing site, you're going to run into issues. The site is aware of the hostname and when you start the cloned VM, ArcGIS Server is not likely to work. The way we handle this is:

Install Windows on a new VM, update/patch as necessary
Install ArcGIS Server and any other drivers or applications you need (SQL Server Native Client, psql stuff, etc), but do not setup a site.
Sysprep the machine (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc721940(v=ws.10).aspx). Select power off instead of restart
Use vmware to turn the VM into a template

Then, anytime you need a fresh VM with ArcGIS Server, you just just create a VM from the template (keeping in mind your licensed cores, obviously!)

Re: ArcServer on VMWare

Hernando_CountyProperty_Apprai — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 21:59:20 GMT

Thank you Cole. So when setting up the template it shouldn't have a name or be joined to the network?

Re: ArcServer on VMWare

Anonymous User — Tue, 03 Nov 2015 14:36:54 GMT

While installing applications and setting everything up, you can attach to the domain if you need it to access storage or for permissions, etc. But when you sysprep the machine, it'll drop any domain attachment and prepare for first time use.

When you fire up a new VM created from the template, you'll go through the same first-time setup (machine name, domain, user accounts, etc) like it's a brand new installation that just happens to have your apps pre-installed.