Windows Server 8 .net and GIS Services

[jasonlouis]

Hello all.  I ran a search and did not find answers to these, so if I missed questions already answered, I apologize. 

I am a student under pressure to get my master's project done so time is of the essence.  I have been tasked with setting up a web server for displaying some data (something I have no training in, whatsoever).  Through my school, I was given access to a temporary copy of Win Server 8 and ArcGIS Server.  We are now on spring break, but time is so short I really cant wait for it to get back in session to get answers to my questions so any help y'all could provide would be very appreciated.

For this, I have created a VM and loaded Win Server 8 onto it.  It seemed to go flawlessly until I read the requirements for ArcGIS Server.  The 3.5 .net framework is not loaded into the OS.  I have tried to load this but it does not find the files in the \source\sxs folder as in the windows directions.  My first question is whether there is another place it can be found or a way to make ArcGIS Server run without it?

My second question regards the setup of ArcGIS Server.  According to the online help found here...

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisserver/10.0/install_guide/arcgis_server_net_install_guide/index.html...

I should see a "GIS Services setup program".  Now, I am accessing the data for this installation off a server at school but I would think I should still see everything in the same place as everyone else.  There are .exe files but nothing that even hints at being a GIS Services setup.  Is this really necessary? Should I be able to install the app without this?

Once again, thank y'all for any assistance you can provide.  Any hints/help/feedback is appreciated.

[WilliamCraft]

If you're having issues installing ArcGIS Server 10.0 due to the absence of .NET 3.5, you can download it elsewhere if it didn't come with the Esri installation media you have.  The Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and its Service Pack 1 installers can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21 (.NET 3.5 Framework installer)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=25150 (Service Pack 1 installer for .NET 3.5 Framework)

I recommend that you download both to a folder on your VM and run them sequentially as shown above.  When you run them, right click on the installer and choose Run As Administrator.

[jasonlouis]

Thank you very much, William.  That was the question of the two I least expected a reply to.

[WilliamCraft]

No problem.  Please post back if this resolves your issue or not; if not, we can do some more troubleshooting.

[jasonlouis]

When I went to try to install the windows .net version 3.5, it failed telling me I needed to use the server manager in the OS.  I tried downloading both files and running the first as administrator, but it gave me the same error.  I have tried adding the file folder when running the "Add Roles and Features" selection under the Server Manager, but it gives an error that "The source files could not be found." 

Dang, this really seemed like the solution, but I'm still striking out.  Any other ideas?

[WilliamCraft]

So you did the following already?

1. In the Server Manager interface, select Add Features to displays a list of possible features.
2. In the Select Features interface, expand .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features.
3. Once you expand .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features, you will see two check boxes. One for .NET Framework 3.5.1 and other for WCF Activation. Check the box next to .NET Framework 3.5.1 and click Next.
4. You cannot install .NET Framework 3.5.1 Features unless the required role services and features are also installed.  Therefore, add the required role services and features if prompted. 
5. In the Confirm Installation Selections interface, review the selections and then click Install.
6. Allow the installation process to complete and then click Close.

The error you cited earlier occurs even if you try this method?  If so, you'll need your system administrator to deal with this first as .NET 3.5 framework is a prerequisite for the installation of ArcGIS Server.

[jasonlouis]

Just so I'm completely clear, here are the steps I'm taking...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32167[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32168[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32169[/ATTACH]

This isn't exactly as you describe it.  Am I in the right place or is there something I'm missing?

[WilliamCraft · Accepted solution]

Ok, I've done some digging on this topic; what you're seeing is a fairly common issue.  You need to access the role and feature for .NET 3.5 through your SXS folder using the offline installer, typically located at D:\sources\sxs (though the drive letter can vary depending on the machine). 

1. Go to "C:\Windows\System32" and find cmd.exe


2. Right click on the file and select Run As Administrator.


3. Copy and Paste following code in the cmd window (assumes 'D' drive as described above):



dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /Source:D:\sources\sxs



4. When the process completes, restart your machine.

Note: There are known issues with the steps above IF you have language packs already installed.  If that's the case for you, then you may need to uninstall the language packs with the lpksetup.exe command before completing the steps above. 

Let me know how things turn out.

Another slightly-similar approach using the CMD prompt involves the following if the above fails:

Mount WIM:

dism /mount-wim /wimfile:"c:\win8\wim\install.wim" /index:1 /mountdir:"c:win8\mount"

Enable .NET 3.5:

dism /Image:"c:win8\mount" /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:NetFX3 /Source:D:\sources\sxs /LimitAccess

Add feature, i.e. langpack:

dism /image:"c:win8\mount" /Add-Package /PackagePath:"c:\win8\lp\lp.cab"

Unmount WIM:

dism /unmount-wim /mountdir:"c:win8\mount" /commit

EDIT: I found the Windows 8 help from Microsoft on how to enable .NET 3.5 from the Control Panel.  In case the other methods do not work for you, you can review the link below and follow the steps as shown:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/hh506443(v=vs.110).aspx

[jasonlouis]

William, you are a god.  Not THE God, but a god.  Thank you so much, especially considering you are with esri and helping me with a MS issue.  That fact was not lost on me and I am extremely appreciative of your help.

Naturally, things did not go as predicted but it wasn't too far off.  Here's what happened.

I performed the steps as you described.  It completed, but indicated "Error: 50"  It went on to say that the operation was completed, but that a required parent feature was also needed. It then indicated the feature needed, so I proceeded to input...

/online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFx3ServerFeatures

It ran that and stated it was complete.  I booted the machine and checked the roles when it came up.  It shows .Net 3.5 is installed.  Once again, thank you for your help with this.

[jasonlouis]

William, one more thing.  About my second question, is the "GIS Services setup program" an essential component of installing ArcGIS Server or could that vary depending on the installation media?