Exposing secure ArcGIS Server Services to ArcGIS Online - Where Does the Data Go?

[FinnianO_Connor]

I have a secure AGS Service that points to an internal feature class stored on SDE. The AGS Service is exposed to AGOL as a feature layer. When I add the feature layer to an AGOL map I am prompted to enter my credentials to view the data. So everything works.

My question is where does the data go to get to my browser when I view the data in the AGOL map? Physically I'm sitting right next to the server that stores the data, but does this data have to pass outside my office and through AGOL to be shown on the map?

Just trying to understand the underlying flow of data as this will undoubtedly effect the speed at which an AGOL map draws.

Many thanks,

Finnian 

[KellyGerrow · Accepted solution]

Hi Finnian,

When you create a web map that references a service that is hosted on your local ArcGIS Server, the web map makes a request directly to your ArcGIS Server through the rest service, this is why you are prompted for a username and password when the service is secured. The data you will see in the web map will be coming from your database to the server and is then displayed in the web map. 

Cheers,

Kelly

[FinnianO_Connor]

Thanks for the reply Kelly. So does that mean there should be no noticeable performance difference in using an AGOL web map versus a Portal web map with internal data?

Cheers,

Finnian

[FinnianO_Connor]

Just to add in a comment I received from ESRI Support on this:

"the request for the service is being made from your web browser directly to the GIS server. The data does not leave the server to go out to the internet."

So to me, this means that internal data displayed in either a Portal web map or an AGOL web map would have no performance difference.