Recommended .aprx location when publishing a feature service

[AndreaB_]

Hello all,

We are using ArcGIS Pro to publish feature services. The default .aprx save location is the user's C drive on their own computer. We typically don't ever use that - seems like a very bad idea. Usually we save aprxs in a mapped letter drive folder on our server that multiple people can access (network file share). For a short time we are going to have file share folders unavailable as we switch entire networks. What do you think about saving the .aprx on the C drive of the GIS Server in the new environment and publishing the feature services from there? Would that work? I can't think of why not, but wanted to ask all of you.

Data connections will be referenced to the SQL geodatabase so no problems accessing the data.

Thanks.

[ZachBodenner · Accepted solution]

That doesn't sound like an issue to me. I've used local server publishing for things like aerial imagery, and if that works I can't imagine why a regular old feature service wouldn't. Smart to keep your .aprx's on a mapped drive, that's how we do it as well. I would imagine your server is backed up regularly, so even if something weird happens you should be protected.

[RanaDas · Accepted solution]

Hi @AndreaB_ 

It is not required to publish/overwrite the service again. During a publishing activity the publishing tool creates a MAP file and Service definition file in the in the arcgisinput directory. The service will continue to work even if the location (where you save the project) of the .aprx is not connected, as it has nothing to do with the file.

You will face issues with the service if the published service has referenced data which is stored in the network drive. If you have such services, you shall have to repoint and register the path of the referenced data in a location that is accessible by ArcGIS Server and has sufficient privilege to the Server Service account.

You can verify the path in installation directory of your ArcGIS Server.

Hope this helps.

[AndreaB_]

Great! Good information from both of you. Thanks!

[ZachBodenner]

You bet! Remember you can accept more than one solution if you found @RanaDas 's additional info helpful!

[AndreaB_]

ooh, did not know that. 😊