Portal for ArcGIS is similar to ArcGIS Online but works on the intranet. In order to activate this software you need to choose the number of level 1 and level 2 named users you would like to have on the Portal and create an authorization number for it on My Esri -> My Organization -> Licensing -> Generate Portal for ArcGIS licenses. Once you have the authorization number, you can activate it on the Portal that will open up the number of level 1 and level 2 named users that you created the authorization for.
- Up until version 10.5, we only had Level 2s which gives you full access to the software
- From 10.5 onwards, we offer Level 1 and Level 2
- Level 2 is the same as earlier, with full access to the software
- Level 1 is only read access
Generate Portal for ArcGIS Licenses
- You can generate authorization number for the following combinations depending on what version of the license you have
- 10.2 – 10.4.1 Level 2
- 10.5 – 10.5.1 Level 2
- 10.5 – 10.5.1 Level 1
- 10.6 Level 2
- 10.6 Level 1
- You can generate authorization numbers for other versions based on the following rules
- If you have 10.6, you are eligible to create authorizations for the following versions
- 10.2 – 10.4.1
- 10.5 – 10.5.1
- 10.6
- If you have 10.5 – 10.5.1, you are eligible to create authorizations for the following versions
- 10.2 – 10.4.1
- 10.5 – 10.5.1
- If you have 10.2 – 10.4.1, you are eligible to create authorizations for the following versions
- You must always have a level 2 authorization number activated on the Portal in order to activate a level 1 authorization number
- Licenses can be combined or not while generating an authorization number based on these rules

Create New Provisioning File
- You can generate a provisioning file with Portal for ArcGIS authorization number/s in the following manner
- Navigate to Licensing -> Create New Provisioning File
- Choose Product type: ArcGIS for Server OR ArcGIS Enterprise
- Choose a Version
- Choose License type: Portal for ArcGIS (depending on what product type you select)