I understand map services need to be stopped before updating data. But is it possible to stop entire ArcGIS Server service instead for the same purpose? Please let me know. Thank you.
Services don't need to be stopped to update the data unless you're making certain updates to the schema. You can stop the Server Object Manager (SOM) if it's 9.x or 10.0 ArcGIS Server, or the ArcGIS for Server service if it's 10.1 or higher and that will stop all of your map services at once. The SOM service or ArcGIS for Server service can be found in the Windows Services dialog box. Please mark the correct answer to this question with the green check.
Services don't need to be stopped to update the data unless you're making certain updates to the schema. You can stop the Server Object Manager (SOM) if it's 9.x or 10.0 ArcGIS Server, or the ArcGIS for Server service if it's 10.1 or higher and that will stop all of your map services at once. The SOM service or ArcGIS for Server service can be found in the Windows Services dialog box. Please mark the correct answer to this question with the green check.