"Add Database Server" like in ArcCatalog - is this still not possible in Pro?

[KG_427]

Hello, 

I came across this post that hasn't been updated for awhile: https://community.esri.com/t5/arcgis-pro-questions/manage-sql-server-express/td-p/403017/page/2

Is it still not possible to create a database server connection to manage Sql Express databases from directly in Pro?  We are attempting to migrate to Pro for everything and are concerned that this still doesn't appear to be an option in Pro.  

Thanks.

[KoryKramer]

Hi @Robert_LeClair and @Anonymous User I checked with colleagues and was pointed to the following guidance. 

Please note that the ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup licensing is being phased out with ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog). The ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 release is the last version to support the ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license. If you are using Workgroup geodatabases, you should evaluate migrating to one of the supported database types beyond SQL Server Express.

Related documentation on applying a full ArcGIS Enterprise license to ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup:

https://support.esri.com/en-us/knowledge-base/how-to-apply-a-full-arcgis-enterprise-license-to-arcgis-000028255

Desktop geodatabases can only be created from ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog). This geodatabase type will be phased out when ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap / ArcCatalog) is retired in March 2026. For users of desktop geodatabases, we recommend evaluating mobile geodatabases for enhanced capabilities.

[Anonymous User]

Hi @KoryKramer ,

Thank you. And wait a minute...SQL Server Express is listed as a supported database at ArcGIS Enterprise version 11.1 here: https://enterprise.arcgis.com/en/system-requirements/latest/windows/database-requirements-sqlserver.... 

Are your colleagues implying that at ArcGIS Enterprise version 11.2 somehow the Express edition of SQL Server is going to disappear from the list of supported databases? There is a migration here and large expense that customers would need to be aware of, if so.

We need to differentiate between the ArcGIS Enterprise licensing and supported Microsoft SQL databases.

If the Express edition of SQL Server is going to remain as a supported database, then this original posts question is valid - why can't we manage it via ArcGIS Pro?

Thank you.

[KG_427]

No, we unfortunately never found a solution to this.  We are not yet sure what we will do for our next major upgrade as it appears this option has been quietly removed from 11...

[KaseyCox]

Same here!   Its hard to get users on-board witht he switch when we still have to jump back in to ArcCatalog for some things!!!!

[Robert_LeClair]

Hi @KaseyCox - with regards to the "Add Database Server" workflow in ArcGIS Pro.  There was ENH-000131059 - Add an ability to create Desktop and Workgroup geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro.  There are no plans to support creating Desktop and Workgroup geodatabases and implementing a 'Database Servers' node in ArcGIS Pro.

The ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license is being phased out with ArcGIS Desktop, with ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 being the last version to support the Workgroup license. Workgroup geodatabases will need to be migrated to enterprise geodatabases as part of migrating an ArcGIS Enterprise Workgroup license to an Enterprise license.

FAQ: Is It Possible to Create a Workgroup Geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro?

Not an ideal answer I know but this is what I found out.  Let me know if you have any additional questions and I'd be happy to assist.

[KaseyCox]

Thanks for the info, Robert

My agency has used database replication to collect/aggrigate data from many sources for use in 9-1-1 call routing and dispatch mapping.  Most of the jurisdictions we get this data from do not have access to a full server.  Several of them have had to get new computers just to be able to run ArcGIS Pro, so we are doing fresh installs on those computers.  It is detrimental to the "must start using Pro" movement for them to see us immideately install ArcCatalog to get them set up.  

[KaseyCox]

Turns out, you CAN create a SQL Express database (for now anyway)!  Run the Create Enterprise GeoDatabase tool from Pro, and manually enter the instance name (or copy/paste from SSMS).  No need to connect directly to the database server like we did in ArcMap.  I still used my old ArcMap key codes file.    It worked!