Geodatabase without ArcSDE Service (shutting connections/Logs)

[EmadAl-Mousa]

Hi,

if i want to re-design my current infrastructure from 3-tier to 2-tier Geodatabase infrastructure. (Since 10.1 released ESRI ArcGIS Suit is using direct-database connections)

I have the following two questions:

1. how can i shutdown all connections coming to my geodatabase system ? previously, using ArcSDE as an application server we used (sdemon -o shutdown) command.

2. is there any logs will be generated with 2-tier architecture for the geodatabase (where can i find them) ? previously, using ArcSDE as an application server we would find SDE logs being generated on the database server file system.

Thanks,

[MarcoBoeringa]

Hi,

if i want to re-design my current infrastructure from 3-tier to 2-tier Geodatabase infrastructure. (Since 10.1 released ESRI ArcGIS Suit is using direct-database connections)

This is a misconception, you can still run a 3-tier architecture with a separate ArcSDE service application running on your database server at 10.1. You can convert to 2-tier if you want, but it is no requirement to upgrade to ArcGIS 10.1.

You just have to evaluate if in your situation a 2-tier direct connection gives any benefits. It may not be worth the effort just doing it without considering potential benefits and drawbacks (like the need to install Oracle Client software to facilitate a 2-tier direct connection to Oracle).

[MarcoBoeringa]

You may also find the following forum thread of use:

Why would I install ArcSDE with 10.1?

[MarcoBoeringa]

2. is there any logs will be generated with 2-tier architecture for the geodatabase (where can i find them) ? previously, using ArcSDE as an application server we would find SDE logs being generated on the database server file system.

I don't know if it changed from 9.x to 10.x, but this 9.x Help page states:

"ArcSDE writes error messages to the following two log files when using direct connect: giomgr_<service>.log file and sdedc_<dbms>.log. If you have the SDEHOME environment variable set, these files will be written here. If you have an etc folder in your ArcGIS installation location, the files will be written here. If you have neither of these, the log files are written to the temp directory."

[JakeSkinner]

Hi,
1. how can i shutdown all connections coming to my geodatabase system ? previously, using ArcSDE as an application server we used (sdemon -o shutdown) command.

You can easily disconnect users using the Connections tab within the Administer Geodatabase > Administration.  More information can be found here.

[EmadAl-Mousa]

Thanks for the replies. Let me clarify my points further:

1. I know that we have the option to use either 2-tier or 3-tier architecture with Geodatabase Setup. However, in ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop the "Default" connection type is the direct connection (without arcsde service credentials (sde port, sde server name,...etc). You still can use your old "application server" sde connections files and ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop will accept them (right click on the connection properties and a new option in the type of connections will be displayed).

The Question is: what's the point of 3-tier architecture (if you upgrade to 10.1), since all connections Hits are going directly to the database SDE System Tables ?!!

The SDE Geodatabases AP are receiving either (Desktop Connections) or Map Services. if Desktop users have upgraded to 10.1 and your map services MXD's are using 10.1 connection files then there is no need for ArcSDE Engine anymore.

Remark: i am working in big corporation and we always upgrade to latest ESRI releases.

2. Concerning shutting down connections, i know that you can do that in 10.1 using the new geodatabase administration tool (this is process killing not shutting down). but how can i totally block connections to the geodatabse ?? (by the way map-services usually try to re-establish connections after killing it).

3. i don't see any clear documentation in ESRI regarding geodatabase logs in 2-tier setup for ArcGIS 10.1 , what you have provided is for 9.2 release. they should mention it in their documentation in 10.1 !!

Regards,

[JakeSkinner]

Thanks for the replies. Let me clarify my points further:

1. The Question is: what's the point of 3-tier architecture (if you upgrade to 10.1), since all connections Hits are going directly to the database SDE System Tables ?!!

2. Concerning shutting down connections, i know that you can do that in 10.1 using the new geodatabase administration tool (this is process killing not shutting down). but how can i totally block connections to the geodatabse ?? (by the way map-services usually try to re-establish connections after killing it).

3. i don't see any clear documentation in ESRI regarding geodatabase logs in 2-tier setup for ArcGIS 10.1 , what you have provided is for 9.2 release. they should mention it in their documentation in 10.1 !!

Regards,

1.  With the 3-tier architecture, the ArcSDE functionality takes place on the SDE server.  The direct-connect architecture  moves ArcSDE functionality to the  desktop. This removes the ArcSDE load  from the SDE server and allows  additional resources to be freed up for the  DBMS, which means you get  better scalability on the database server. 

Direct  connections can be faster if the server is heavily used, because   processing takes place on the client machine. Rather than having to   process the information on the server, which may be responding to   requests from numerous other users at the same time, and send the   information back to the client across the network, the client computer   is typically only processing a few tasks at a time.

One scenario where you may want to use an ArcSDE application server  connection is if your desktop machine does not have  enough resources to  handle the ArcSDE processes.

2.  You can block connections to the geodatabase following the steps here.

3.  Here are some links, depending on your database, pertaining to log files:

SQL Server

Oracle

PostgreSQL

[MarcoBoeringa]

Thanks for the replies. Let me clarify my points further: 

1. I know that we have the option to use either 2-tier or 3-tier architecture with Geodatabase Setup. However, in ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop the "  Default" connection type is the   direct connection (without arcsde service credentials (sde port, sde server name,...etc). You still can use your old "application server" sde connections files and ArcGIS 10.1 Desktop will accept them (right click on the connection properties and a new option in the type of connections will be displayed). 

The Question is: what's the point of 3-tier architecture (if you upgrade to 10.1),   since all connections Hits are going directly to the database SDE System Tables ?!!

They don't necessarily, if you haven't installed Oracle Client, you won't even be able to make a Direct Connection to an Oracle stored ESRI geodatabase... Similar database clients / drivers are needed for the other supported database types if using Direct Connect.

Like you say, the choice is an option, but now defaults to Direct Connect. However, this still means you can create a connection file that will connect through the ArcSDE service / application server, and not hit the SDE system tables directly like you say. See this Help topic also:

Create ArcSDE Connection File (Data Management)

Again, it is an option, I am not suggesting you should run either 3- or 2-tier, the choice is yours and should be based on your knowledge of system usage and available computer hardware (both on the server and local client end).

The SDE Geodatabases AP are receiving either (Desktop Connections) or Map Services. if Desktop users have upgraded to 10.1 and your map services MXD's are using 10.1 connection files then there is no need for   ArcSDE Engine anymore.

There is no product called "ArcSDE Engine", there is "ArcGIS Engine" (a software component box more or less), and you can run an ArcSDE service / application server process in a 3-tier setup.

3. i don't see any clear documentation in ESRI regarding geodatabase logs in 2-tier setup for ArcGIS 10.1 , what you have provided is for 9.2 release. they should mention it in their documentation in 10.1 !! 

Regards,

I agree, but at this point, I am not even 100% sure there haven't been changes in the logging between 9.x and 10.x. It is not very likely, but if you have your setup running with 10.x, you could check for the existence of the ArcSDE log files on your local computer using the 9.x Help instructions of where they might be stored.

I don't have a setup running at this moment, so can't check it for you.

[EmadAl-Mousa]

Thank You Guys for your inputs.

just quick remarks:

1- to block connections for (upgrade,..etc) the only way is to Uncheck Geodatabase is accepting connections, then disconnecting the current active connections to the geodatabase. i think it would make life easier if they give us the option to do total shutdown option.

2- concerning "Create ArcSDE Connection File (Data Management)" , i think in the future releases they should add "application server" as an option when creating a connection in ArcCatalog, so the end-user will have the option to either do direct-connect to his DBMS system with client dreivers OR APP Server connection. "Create ArcSDE Connection File (Data Management)" is just a workaround soultion from my point of view with the current setup release.

3- one problem with 2-tier archtecture is that the Geodatabase Administrator will be not maintaining the logs anymore, the logs will be either maintained on Desktop users machines / or on the servers where ArcGIS server is installed.

[EmadAl-Mousa]

another important remark:

DBTUNE , SERVER_CONFIG system tables used to be altered using "sde" commands on the database servers. with 2-tier archtiecture the only way to do modifications with them is to install "sde client" on your local PC.

I think ESRI should re-consider their design in version 10.1 or at least add the functionality of altering DBTUNE and SERVER_CONFIG using the geodatabase administration GUI interface.