topic Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase in Geodatabase Questions

Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 07:10:08 GMT

I am trying to connect to a Workgroup Geodatabase, when trying to exploring this geodatabase I get an error that says: “Failed to connect to database. Maximum Number of connections to instance is reached”. However, only three users are connecting to this geodatabase which is less than the TEN allowed users.

What might be the issue here?

Thank you and Best Regards,

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

AsrujitSengupta — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 09:25:15 GMT

Some things I would recommend to check:

1. The Server_config table for the license which was used to authorize the geodatabase. Check the AUTH_KEY parameter value.

2. The process_information table for the actual number of connections to the geodatabase, when you get that message.

Do you have Map Services running for that geodatabase? It could be consuming connections too.

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 10:32:35 GMT

Hi Asrujit,

Regarding the license I used no license for authorizing this Geodatabase, since it is a Workgroup GDB; I connected to the database server, and created it (in ArcMap), and it did not ask me for any license.

Regarding the number of connections, I had only 3 connections with NO map services connected to this GDB.

Best,

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

AsrujitSengupta — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 12:46:38 GMT

You need an SDE Workgroup license for enabling an instance before creating a sde workgroup geodatabase.

From your description, it seems that you are using an SDE Personal gdb, which has a limitation of 3 connections..

As suggested in my last post, please check the Server_config table in SQL Server Management Studio

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:51:45 GMT

Hi Asrujit,

Thank you for the helpful contribution!

Actually, I got confused. I came from the enterprise geodatabase environment, and new to the Workgroup GDB; when I create an enterprise geodatabase, or enable an enterprise database to be enterprise GEODATABASE, I am asked to provide an authorization file (in the screen shots below). However, in the case of Workgroup GDB, I can create it without providing any authorization (in the third screenshot). At what level should I authorize the workgroup geodatabase? May you please explain?

May you please also elaborate how can I check the Server_config table in SQL Server Management Studio (My experience with SQL Server is shallow)?

Best Regards,

1- Creating an enterprise Geodatabase; it Asks for an authorization file

2- Enabling enterprise Geodatabase; it also asks for the authorization file

3- Creating a Workgroup Geodatabase; it DOES NOT ask for any authorization file!

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

QuinnFrancis — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 12:42:09 GMT

The reason you are not being prompted for an authorization file in your third screenshot is because your SQL Server Express instance has already been authorized to store workgroup/personal geodatabases. This authorization would have occurred when you ran the ArcSDE for Microsoft SQL Server Express installation wizard. During this process you designate a SQL Server Express instance to use as a database server, a server administrator is added to the database server, a SQL Server Express instance is enabled to store geodatabases, and the software is authorized.

ArcGIS Server Workgroup Microsoft SQL Server Express installation

You create geodatabases on database servers in the Catalog window. Creating a geodatabase creates a new database on a SQL Server Express instance.

ArcGIS Help (10.2, 10.2.1, and 10.2.2)

As Asrujit SenGupta mentioned above, the 3 connection limit indicates that you may be using an ArcSDE Personal geodatabase rather than a Workgroup geodatabase.

You can run a simple statement in a new query window in SQL Server Management Studio to find the contents of the SDE_server_config table. Check the AUTH_KEY parameter value.

SELECT *

FROM [DatabaseName].[sde].[SDE_server_config]

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 20:56:58 GMT

Many thanks Quin for the prompt response,

Is the ArcSDE for Microsoft SQL Server Express installation wizard available for ArcGIS 10.3 version?

I am not able to find it within the ArcGIS desktop 10.3 installation package.

Thank you also for the script!

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

AsrujitSengupta — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 22:53:49 GMT

Yes, it is available for download on My Esri. Should be named 'Database Server' I recall.

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 08:50:11 GMT

Asrujit, I still struggling with the license, I've installed the database server, and it did not prompted me to provide a license. Please see below

1- Installing the database server

2- Installing SQL Server Express (the full installation of SQL Server is not included in the screenshots)

3- Entering the Server Parameters

4- The login was added Successfully

5- The installation completed and I did not provide any license!

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

George_Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 13:37:33 GMT

Hani,

What is the full name of the ".exe" that you are installing?

If it did not ask for a licence file, as it would in a ArcGIS for Server Workgroup, then you must be using the Database Server for Desktop.

Here is the documentation for this specific install:

Beginning at ArcGIS 9.2, ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and Advanced includes an installation of Microsoft SQL Server Express. These software products also include ArcSDE capabilities to support enterprise geodatabases in SQL Server Express for up to three simultaneous desktop users.

Types of geodatabases—ArcGIS Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Hope this clears up some of the confusion..........

If you want "True" workgroup level licencing you need to re-install with the correct Database Server install media.

-George

Enterprise GIS

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

NICOLAPEDDIS — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:42:20 GMT

George, you're right, but as far i know SQL server express editon cannot store sde workgroup multiuse[you are allowed to use only three simultaneous desktop users] databases, and you can use only the personal edition of arcsde

To use a workgroup geodatabas with 10 and more users you need the professional or the enterprise edition of SQL server, and of couse an arcsde workgroup authorization file.

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

QuinnFrancis — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:52:57 GMT

Hi Nicola,

SQL Server Express supports both Desktop and Workgroup geodatabases.

Create a desktop or workgroup geodatabase—Database Server (Desktop) installation guide | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

George_Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 14:53:19 GMT

Hi Nicola,

You can use SQL Server Express for Workgroup geodatabases, this is what Workgroup geodatabases (multiuser) are designed for an supported on. These are the same as Enterprise Geodatabases on SQL Server, Oracle, etc.... The differences are related to the limitations on the number of connections allowed (an Esri limit of 10 for Workgroup licensing and 3 for Desktop licensing) and then the limits that Microsoft puts on the SQL Server Express installation:

Microsoft limits the use of SQL Server Express to one CPU (or core within a socket) and 1GB of RAM. The maximum database size for SQL Server 2005 or 2008 Express is limited to 4GB. The maximum database size for SQL Server 2008 Express R2 is 10GB. (Consult your Esri license agreement for specific information on the instance size limitations for your implementation.)

Types of geodatabases—ArcGIS Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Using Workgroup authorization/licensing on SQL Server Standard/Enterpise is not supported for creation of Enterprise Geodatabases.

Here are some other similar post on GeoNet with more information:

Can you install ArcGIS for Server Advanced Enterprise on SQL Server Express

How to configure existing SQL Server Express database for use with ArcGIS for Server Enterprise

ArcSDE for SQL server express

Hope this help with the confusion.....

-George

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

NICOLAPEDDIS — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:05:40 GMT

Thanks George, now i got the exact point by reading the posts in the other topics.

Sorry for my confusion

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

George_Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 15:16:24 GMT

No worries, I am glad that we were able to help clear up any confusion.

-George

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

HaniDraidi — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:11:44 GMT

Hi George,

Thanks a lot for the contribution,

The name of the installation wizard I am using is "Database_Server_Desktop_103_143531", according to your posts, I've figured that with this software installed I can create a workgroup geodatabase that enables only three users, and if I installed the server version of this installation wizard (which I do not know its name, and it would be highly appreciated if you mention its complete name) I can create a workgroup geodatabasse with 10 users. Is this correct?

Yours,

Re: Error connecting to Workgroup Geodatabase

George_Thompson — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 16:15:43 GMT

It should be something like this..... "Database_Server_Workgroup_1031"

Make sure that you have a license for the following product: ArcGIS Server for Workgroup (any license level: Basic, Standard or Advanced)

That should get you moving.....