Migrating ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 (Linux) to 11.3 (Linux) on Separate Machines

[GISiste]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for guidance and best practices to migrate an ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 deployment (installed on separate Linux machines) to ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3, which will also be hosted on separate Linux machines.

Current Environment:

• Portal for ArcGIS: Installed on a dedicated Linux server
• ArcGIS Server (multiple roles): Installed on separate Linux servers
• Data Store: Hosted on its own Linux machine
• Web Adaptor: Configured through a reverse proxy

Target Environment:

• Same configuration (Portal, ArcGIS Server roles, Data Store) on separate Linux servers with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.3.

Questions:

1. What is the recommended approach to migrate the configuration (Portal content, hosted services, user roles, etc.)?
2. How can I transfer data (geodatabases, hosted feature layers, service definitions, etc.) efficiently and avoid data loss?
3. Are there specific steps for migrating from one Linux environment to another, particularly regarding certificates, security configurations, or custom settings?
4. Is there any documentation or tool to assist in this migration process?

Each VM has its own ArcGIS account.

Old and new VMs share a NAS where the configuration folders for Portal and ArcGIS Server are stored. Both platforms need to coexist for now.

I had already tried using exportSite/importSite, but this operation modifies the configuration files for both, since they are stored on the NAS.

Any insights, tips, or documentation links you can share would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,

[JakeSkinner · Accepted solution]

Hi @GISiste,

The best way to migrate from one environment to another is using the webgisdr.  See the following document.  However, the environments must match (i.e. same version), so you're workflow would be:

1.  Install ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 in target environment using the same external URL by modifying the etc/hosts files

2.  Create the webgisdr from source environment

3.  Restore the webgisdr in target environment

4.  Upgrade target environment to 11.3

[GISiste]

Hello @JakeSkinner ,

Thank you for your response.
I eventually found a workaround to use the import/export Site for Portal and AGS. On the source machine, I modified the config folders to point to local paths on the machine instead of NAS, and then I did the site export. On the new machines, I installed version 10.8.1 and successfully did the site import. I was able to upgrade both the Portal and ArcGIS Server. I also managed to do the ./restoredatastore with version 10.8.1 installed on the new machine’s datastore, and later I upgraded the datastore to version 11.3. However, when I access the web services from the AGS REST interface (https://arcgiserver.domaine.com:6443/rest/services/Hosted/MyWS/FeatureServer), I don't see any data, and the following message appears:
Error: Services Hosted/MyWS/MapServer not found code 404.
Furthermore, I can’t configure the DataStore with AGS. I get this message: "Error registering item. Registration of database '' is incomplete. Failed to update the data store connections file. Using ArcGIS Administrator Directory check if System/PublishingTools GP is started and re-register the database."
When I try to start this service, another error message appears: "The geoprocessing service cannot be started because it was created for use with ArcMap."

Do you have any ideas on the solution?

Does this mean I need to republish all the web services using ArcGIS Pro?

I can see that all my services are stopped in the Manager, and I cannot start them.

Also, I tried the WebGISdr approach, but when I run the script, I get the following message: "Cannot get the Web GIS configuration". I've updated the /etc/hosts file as recommended.
If you have any suggestions, I would be grateful.

Thank you in advance.

[JakeSkinner]

@GISiste are you able to successfully generate the webgisdr from the source environment?  If so, I would recommend starting over for your target environment:

• Uninstall all ArcGIS applications
• Delete their corresponding directories (i.e. /Program Files/ArcGIS/Portal, /arcgisportal, /arcgisserver, etc)
• Modify the hosts files on each server
• Reinstall the 10.8.1
• Verify you can access the target environment using the URL from the source environment
• Restore the webgisdr
• Upgrade to 11.3

[GISiste]

@JakeSkinner, Unfortunately, I was unable to generate the webgisdr from the source. The error "Cannot get the web GIS configuration" appears when I run the script. I carefully filled out the properties file.

[JakeSkinner]

@GISiste,

1. Verify the ArcGIS Service Account for each ArcGIS application (Portal, Server, Data Store) is the same
2. Verify the shared_location and backup_location in the .properties file is a network share
3. Verify the ArcGIS Service Account has FULL CONTROL of this network share
4. Verify the user running the webgisdr has FULL CONTROL of this network share

[GISiste]

Hello @JakeSkinner 

Thank you for your response. As explained above, I ultimately chose the import/export solution (by modifying the folder paths in the configuration to local folders before the import). I was able to replicate the previous version on my new machines and then upgrade to version 11.3.
I will keep your initial response as the solution.
Thanks again.