ArcServer on VMWare

2506
3
Jump to solution
11-02-2015 11:28 AM
Hernando_CountyProperty_Apprai
New Contributor III

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?

Tags (2)
0 Kudos
1 Solution

Accepted Solutions
by Anonymous User
Not applicable

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!)

View solution in original post

3 Replies
by Anonymous User
Not applicable

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!)

Hernando_CountyProperty_Apprai
New Contributor III

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

0 Kudos
by Anonymous User
Not applicable

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.

0 Kudos