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

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12-29-2020 09:59 AM
tigerwoulds
Frequent Contributor

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? 

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JoeBorgione
MVP Emeritus

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

That should just about do it....

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6 Replies
JoeBorgione
MVP Emeritus

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

That should just about do it....
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tigerwoulds
Frequent Contributor

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 😅

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IngridMans
Frequent Contributor

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. 

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tigerwoulds
Frequent Contributor

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
MVP Emeritus

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.

That should just about do it....
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IngridMans
Frequent Contributor

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..

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