When do I need to rebuild a trace network?

[AmyRoust]

I'm struggling to find detailed documentation or training on trace networks, so I hope someone here can provide guidance. I have two utility systems (stormwater and potable water) that both have their own trace networks. Let's just use stormwater as my example. In case it matters, we are using branch versioning.

The stormwater trace network has 8 feature classes that participate:

I need to add a field to ssManhole, ssValve, and ssFitting. If I add this field, what happens to the trace network? Do I need to rebuilt topology? Do I need to create a completely new trace network? Or will the trace network ignore the new field since it has nothing to do with flow or connectivity? (It's a text field that will hold a URL to a folder with photos.)

Side note, if there are any classes on trace networks, I'd love a referral. I've search esri.com/training but haven't found anything. The online documentation makes it seem like trace networks are very simple and straightforward, but my experience with Esri behaviors in the past suggests otherwise!

[AmyRoust · Accepted solution]

I ended up putting in a support ticket. This is what they said:

"Adding a field will not require you to recreate the trace network or validate the topology. Since the new field has nothing to do with the shape or the connectivity of the features rebuilding the network will not be required.

After making the required changes once you restart the service, the changes should be visible on the feature service."