Registering data source with server problems

[DaveAugspurger]

I am trying to set up ArcGIS fo Server 10.1 and am running into a problem.  In ArcMap, I create a new map and add a feature dataset (Telecom Model, provided by ESRI) taht has about 27 features.  When I try to share this service (File/Share As/Service), then run Analyze, I get a problem that I can't resolve. 

The error is "Data source is not registered with the server and data will be copied to the server (27 items)".

I have registered both the Database and Folders in the Data Stores dialog box, also validating them.

If I right-click one of the 27 features and select Register Data Source with Server, I get a dialog box for Register Database.  The Shared Database is already filled in with my instance of SQL and the Name field is empty.  I enter a generic name in the Name field and select OK.  This prompts the following error:

"The database is already registered as ArcGIS Server Managed Database".

I must be missing something but it seems to me it's telling me I have to register the database but when I try it says it's already registered.  I admit I'm not very knowledgable on SQL, servers, databases, etc...graduated from the various desktop products (3.1, 8.x, 9.x, now 10.x) to recently obtaining ArcGIS for Server and having to learn on the fly.  BTW, I've watched the videos on registering data sources and I think I'm following what to do...I suspect it's something else entirely.

Thanks.

[JonathanQuinn]

Hm, the error indicates you registered it as a Managed database.  There are two different ways to register a database, either manager or I guess unmanaged.  How did you register the database to begin with?  Did you go through ArcGIS Server Manager > Site > Data Store and then click on the drop down to register a Managed Database?  Can you try to remove the data store you currently have registered to that database and follow the steps you provided in your initial post to re-register the database?

[DaveAugspurger]

I registered it through the dialog box that opens when you click on the results of the analzye function.  I believe there were 2 options, one to show datastores and a second to register a database....something like that. 

Anyway, I went into ArcGIS Server Manager/Site/Data Stores and registered the database that way and it no longer says (managed) behind it.  Analyzing in ArcMap when I share the service appears to show that the problem has been resolved.  By the way, I searched ArcGIS regarding managed vs unmanaged datastores and only came up with references to raster catalogs.  Can you clarify or direct me to something that explains this to someone who isn't a database administrator?  Thanks for the help.

[MattSimmons]

It may be that since you're trying to publish a feature dataset that is provided by ESRI into a web feature service, you don't have a local enterprise database with that feature dataset.  It would be inefficient for ArcGIS Server to dynamically retrieve the dataset from the ESRI server as updates may be occurring readily, or internet connectivity may be severed; so it needs an on-site database to refer to instead.  ESRI designed server 10.1 with this in mind.  You would just want to periodically update the on-site feature dataset by refreshing your mxd in ArcMap from time to time, and republishing as a service.  It would then recopy the updated feature dataset to the local server.

[JonathanQuinn]

Matt hinted at it; a managed database means that when publishing, data will be copied to the server, but to an enterprise geodatabase.  This is useful if, for example, your ArcGIS Server instance cannot communicate readily with your on-site SDE database.  The data will be copied to the ArcGIS Server input folder into an enterprise geodatabase, so that you'll be able to create feature services or WFS services, as they require an enterprise geodatabase.  This resource here explains it a little further.  Scroll down half the page to the section titled If the service type you want to publish requires an enterprise geodatabase.

[DaveAugspurger]

Thanks, that makes sense and I appreciate the help.