ArcMap direct connect database view only connections with Enterprise 11.3

[BrittanyBurson]

We are on 10.9.1 now and still have unfortunately a few workflows stuck in ArcMap 10.8.2 . We are a massive organization so while work is underway to migrate these, it's taking time. These are keeping the rest of our Enterprise from moving on to 11.3, but we could potentially move sooner if we can get advice on the following --

Our question with ArcMap is about direct connections to Enterprise Geodatabases, SQL Server specifically. Can ArcMap connect to an Enterprise Geodatabase at version 11.3 to view feature classes? We're aware of limitations with branch versioning, attribute rules, SQL Server versions, new supported field types, but unsure about the ability to simply view data. We're also aware of the recommendation to keep the EGDB version as close to the Enterprise version as possible. 

Has any org out there upgraded to 11.3 and is still viewing data in ArcMap successfully? If so, which Enterprise database version are you on?

[RyanUthoff]

You have a couple considerations to think about. One is the SQL Server version compatibility, which you can find more details about here. There are only two versions that both ArcMap and 11.3 support at this point.  https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/system-requirements/latest/database-requirements-sqlserver.htm

The other consideration is more directly related to your question, and that’s the EGDB compatibility with ArcMap. It works……but ONLY if you don’t use any of the functionality released in higher versions (like the new field types). But, the moment you enable that new functionality, it’s over. You’ll get an error message just trying to connect to the DB in ArcMap.

So yes, it’s possible, but definitely tread carefully and be super super super sure you don’t accidentally enable any of the new functionality in your EGDB if you want to continue to access it in ArcMap.

If you do proceed with the upgrade, my recommendation is to upgrade to ArcGIS Pro 3.3 first, create a copy of your EGDBs, then upgrade them to the latest version and verify you can still access them in ArcMap. You should be able to do all that without upgrading Enterprise. Then if everything works like normal, proceed with caution in upgrading your Enterprise and ensure you never enable any of the new EGDB functionality.