Best practices when moving data from File GDB to Enterprise GDB?

[tigerwoulds]

I have a large Terrain Dataset (roughly 450 GB) that I need to move from a File Geodatabase to an Enterprise Geodatabase on SQL Server. 

I figured I could just Copy/Paste the data to the EGDB but I'm assuming this will lock up my ArcGIS Pro session for a LONG time. 

Is there a preferred GP tool or way to do this that would increase my chances of this working successfully? 

[JoeBorgione · Accepted solution]

If you are going to move that much data, you should count on it taking some time especially if you are dependent on network connections, vpn's etc.

You have a few options, and I would do it as a python script you can either run as a scheduled task or set it and forget it after quitting time.

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/copy.htm

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/conversion/feature-class-to-feature-class.ht...

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/append.htm  (you'd need to create features in the target Egdb of the same names and schema as your fgdb)

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/export-xml-workspace-documen...

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/data-management/import-xml-workspace-documen...

All come to mind.  I suspect best practice is in the eye of the beholder; for me it's whatever works and gives me the smallest headache

[tigerwoulds]

Thanks much! I will give the Copy tool a go then try the XML workflow if that fails. I'll get back with you in a week or two when this is done 😅

[IngridMans]

What are the circumstances under which copy/paste will not work? I'm simply trying to copy a polygon feature class, including domains, into an enterprise geodatabase and it acts like it's working but then just never results in a new pasted layer. I'm connected as the geodatabase administrator and it gives me no error messages. 

UPDATE: My workaround ended up being 'import feature class', but now I have to manually re-add the domains. I'm trying to copy the domains from the original feature class under Design > Domains, but that is also not working accordingly either. 

[tigerwoulds]

Maybe database lock issues or arcgis being finicky. Usually a reboot of ArcMap/Pro fixes the issue. 

I would recommend using GP tools to do the copy. Either Copy, Feature Class to Feature Class, or Feature Class to Geodatabase should all work. 

[JoeBorgione]

I assume you are doing this is either ArcCatalog or a Catalog Pane or View in Pro?  I really don't know why that wouldn't work for you.

[IngridMans]

Yea, Catalog Pane in Pro. Was quite mysterious. Since the feature class and domains weren't overly complicated or large, I cut my losses and manually added the domains in. Even trying to copy the domains in gave me an error saying an item of the same path already existed; I had to alter the domain name to get it to cooperate. If the initial copy / paste operations failed, I don't understand why it still 'believed' it was getting those same domains added, even though they don't show up in the geodatabase domain list. 

I'm a very long way from retirement..