Replicas and Map Services

[TimHayes]

I run 30 different Map Services, in 30 different MXDs, from a File Geodatabase Replica of our SDE Geodatabase. Every time I Post and Reconcile from my version to our SDE Geodatabase, I go to Distributed Geodatabase - Synchronize Changes. During this process the Replica is updated and the data shown in each MXD is updated, no problems.

The question I have is after the MXDs get updated, is there a way to automatically have these changes reflected in each Map Service? Right now I must go through each MXD and manually choose Share Service As - Overwrite Existing Service one by one. Will something like this be automated in 10.2?

This can be very time consuming especially with the 10.1 "Share Service As" bug resulting from the last April's Microsoft Windows Update. It used to take me 3 min per MXD to overwrite each service with updates, now it takes an hour to do just one MXD.

[MandarPurohit]

Hi Wolseley,

Thinking of a workaround, a follow-up question please...

Are these ~30 file geodatabases created only for publishing map services, or for other users as well?

In case they are only for map services, and can be placed on the AGS Server machine(s), map services could receive the updates directly from the replica (synchronization), then you would not need to overwrite them.

Referring to the webhelp: Considerations for file geodatabases:

"File geodatabases are intended for read-only use with ArcGIS Server. Because of this, in scenarios where the file geodatabase is a publication geodatabase (in one-way replication workflows), replica synchronization needs to occur during periods of inactivity in the map service or by releasing the file geodatabase from being used by the map service."

Regards,
Mandar

[TimHayes]

Hi Wolseley,

Thinking of a workaround, a follow-up question please...

Are these ~30 file geodatabases created only for publishing map services, or for other users as well?

In case they are only for map services, and can be placed on the AGS Server machine(s), map services could receive the updates directly from the replica (synchronization), then you would not need to overwrite them.

Referring to the webhelp: Considerations for file geodatabases:

"File geodatabases are intended for read-only use with ArcGIS Server. Because of this, in scenarios where the file geodatabase is a publication geodatabase (in one-way replication workflows), replica synchronization needs to occur during periods of inactivity in the map service or by releasing the file geodatabase from being used by the map service."

Regards,
Mandar

We are using 1 File Geodatabase on one server. It is a one-way replication, read-only, from which our 30 Map Services are fed from. This replica receives changes from our production Geodatabase.

Let me see if I understand you correctly; if I stop each map service in ArcGIS Server Manager, then synchronize changes from the production Geodatabase to our read-only publication file Geodatabase which will update each of our 30 MXDs, then you are saying that when I restart each of the Map Services in ArcGIS Server Manager, what is shown in our Flex Map Viewer will be updated?

Our Map Services are used inside our Flex 3.0 viewer.

[MandarPurohit · Accepted solution]

Yes,
I believe, we are discussing the option of 'registering data with the server'.

If the file geodatabase is not registered with the server, the server creates its own copy for every map service. Hence there is a need to overwrite the service when the original fgdb is updated.

When you register the file geodatabase with the server, there would be no need to overwrite the service (since the server will use the same fgdb, there will not be a server copy).

Is your file geodatabase registered with the server?
(I was referring to this option and additional considerations when using this option.)

Some additional webhelp pointers:

Determining how the server will access service data:

Registering your data with ArcGIS Server using Manager

Regards,
Mandar

[TimHayes]

Yes,
I believe, we are discussing the option of 'registering data with the server'.

If the file geodatabase is not registered with the server, the server creates its own copy for every map service. Hence there is a need to overwrite the service when the original fgdb is updated.

When you register the file geodatabase with the server, there would be no need to overwrite the service (since the server will use the same fgdb, there will not be a server copy).

Is your file geodatabase registered with the server?
(I was referring to this option and additional considerations when using this option.)

Some additional webhelp pointers:

Determining how the server will access service data:

Registering your data with ArcGIS Server using Manager

Regards,
Mandar

No it is not registered with server.

I followed the online help. But I am a little confused as to which options to choose in ArcGIS Server Manager - Site - GIS Server - Data Stores. I have an SDE Geodatabase (for production). From this is a one-way replica File Geodatabase. There are in different folders but reside on the same server (we only use 1 server). Our ArcGIS Server and Map Services and Flex Viewer are all on one server.

When I try to register the Geodatabase I get asked to provide an SDE connection file. Where can I find this file?

[VinceAngelo]

You're using the wrong registration box.  For File Geodatabase you want to use "Registered Folders"
not "Registered Databases".

- V

[MandarPurohit]

To register a file geodatabase on the 'Data Store' tab, use the '+' sign on the "Registered Folders" frame.

Attached screenshot for reference.



[ATTACH=CONFIG]25851[/ATTACH]

[TimHayes]

To register a file geodatabase on the 'Data Store' tab, use the '+' sign on the "Registered Folders" frame.

Attached screenshot for reference.



[ATTACH=CONFIG]25851[/ATTACH]

You are using ArcCatalog based on your screenshot. In the ArcGIS Server Properties Window I following the instructions. I highlighted our File Geodatabase and chose Validate Now, a green check mark showed up. I assume this is a good sign. But, when I checked it in ArcGIS Server Manager - Site - Data Stores, there is an orange question mark next to it.

Any ideas on why there is an orange question mark in one and a green check mark in the other?

[MandarPurohit]

Based on my testing, it should be fine (ArcGIS Server manager showing the orange question mark after registering/validating it from ArcCatalog).

At this point it might help getting input from the Server forum on that question (Why that question mark?)

Now you should not see the following warning message when publishing a new service.
"Data source is not registered with the server and data will be copied to the server."

(Please contact tech support if you do.)