Our preferred tool to migrate ArcGIS Enterprise from machine to machine is the “webgisdr utility tool”.
1. According to Esri documents “The webgisdr utility records the software versions of the ArcGIS Enterprise components when you create a backup file. The standby deployment to which you import the file must be at the same version as your primary deployment”. In simple words the tool requires both machines to have the same version of ArcGIS Enterprise installed for the migration to succeed. In our case the ArcGIS Enterprise install in CentOS and Rocky Linux must be on the same version (ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1).
[Answer]: that is correct.
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2. According to Esri system requirements document, CentOS is supported only till ArcGIS 10. 9.1 version and Rocky Linux in compatible with ArcGIS Enterprise 11 version only.
[Answer]: that is correct, but the Esri Technical Support Article specifically states that is only for CentOS 7.
Deprecation: ArcGIS Enterprise Support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 and Derivatives (esri.com)
"ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9.1 will be the last release to support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 (RHEL7) and derivative Linux distributions including CentOS 7, Scientific Linux 7, and Oracle Linux 7."
"ArcGIS Enterprise 11.0 and beyond will continue to support Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 and Oracle Linux 8."
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3. Does this means we cannot install the same ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 version on both machines (CentOS and Rocky Linux) because of the compatibility problem.
[Answer]: according to the ArcGIS Enterprise System Requirements you can install ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 and 11.1 on Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 8.
ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 requires Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 8.6 (minimum)
ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 requires Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 8.1 (minimum)
Hence, if you have a machine with RHEL 8.6 you shall be able to install ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 / 10.8.1.
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4. Or can we assume that Rocky Linux 8 is supported for ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 as Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 8 is listed on the supported OS for ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 and as we know Rocky Linux 8 is 100% binary compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 8?
[Answer]: yes, this is a correct assumption, but Esri has not certified ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 on Rocky Linux 8.1 / 8.6 but once Rocky Linux 8.6 is fully compatible with Red Hat Linux 8.6 then ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 is expected to work on Rock Linux 8.6. The only way to know for sure is to try it out.
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5. The General question is how do we approach the inevitable migration of CentOS based Linux machines to other supported Linux distributions in our case to Rocky Linux?
[Answer]: I see your problem, the approach I would try is
a. test Rocky Linux 8.6 with ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 to see if it can be installed and if can create a site with Portal + Server + DataStore + WebAdaptors. I will also try to install all the latest ArcGIS Enterprise Security Updates.
b. If the test above passes, then I would create a new machine and test to restore the site with the “webgisdr utility tool”.
c. if the migration works then I would try to upgrade the Site from ArcGIS Enterprise 10.8.1 to 11.1 and then install the latest 11.1 Security Updates.
d. then I would document the migration steps and workarounds and do one more pilot dry-run and test all the ArcGIS Enterprise Services and Web Applications, once I am satisfied that everything is working, I would schedule the production migration.
e. Note, depending on the number of services and web applications that you have then you might just consider republishing all the services again on the new ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 Site, it might be just easy to do this than try to migrate/upgrade ArcGIS Enterprise.
f. another option is to contact Esri Professional Services to assist you with the migration / upgrade process.
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Note:
Integrate your portal with a reverse proxy or load balancer—Portal for ArcGIS | Documentation for Ar...
Caution:
The configuration detailed in this topic must be performed before federating any ArcGIS Server site with your portal. Adding a DNS alias or reverse proxy after an ArcGIS Server site has been federated with your portal is not supported. If you need to change the host name in your organization URL, contact Esri Professional Services or another trusted consulting partner for guidance.
Unfederating an ArcGIS Server site has several significant consequences and is not easily undone. To learn more, see Administer a federated server.
I hope this helps.
| Marcelo Marques | Principal Product Engineer | Esri |
| Cloud & Database Administrator | OCP - Oracle Certified Professional |
I work with Enterprise Geodatabases since 1997.
“ I do not fear computers. I fear the lack of them." Isaac Isimov