Install ArcGIS for Server

After installing any prerequisites as detailed in the system requirements, begin installing the ArcGIS for Server software. The most common configuration for a single-machine deployment is to install all components.

The ArcGIS for Server Installation Guide contains detailed information about the software installation process. It also contains a list of system requirements and prerequisites for ArcGIS for Server.

Log in to Manager and create a site

ArcGIS Server Manager is a web application you can use to administer ArcGIS for Server. The first time you attempt to log in to Manager, you are helped through the process of creating an ArcGIS Server site. See Logging in to Manager and Creating a new site for steps.

Install and configure the Web Adaptor

If you are preparing your site for a production deployment, install ArcGIS Web Adaptor. Web Adaptor provides a link between your enterprise web server and your ArcGIS Server site. It allows you to choose the port, address, and authentication settings that you want to use for incoming requests. It also prevents outside users from accessing Manager and the Administrator Directory. For more information, see About the ArcGIS Web Adaptor.

Connect to the GIS server in ArcGIS for Desktop

Most of your work publishing services occurs in ArcGIS for Desktop, where you create your maps, globes, geodatabases, and so on. To publish a service directly from ArcGIS for Desktop, define a connection to your server using ArcCatalog or the Catalog window in ArcMap. Once you've done this, the connection information is saved on your machine, then you can reference it whenever you want to publish a service.

If you make the connection with administrative privileges, you can also perform some server administration functions from ArcGIS for Desktop.

See Making an administrative connection to ArcGIS Server in ArcGIS for Desktop for instructions.

Grant permissions to data directories

ArcGIS Server needs to read all the data referenced by its services. The data is read using the ArcGIS Server account that you specified when you installed the software.

The items you publish are copied to the server where the ArcGIS Server account has already been granted access. Usually, these items reference other data sources; for example, a map often references multiple feature classes and raster datasets that compose its layers. If you do not want all of this other data to be copied to the server automatically, explicitly give the ArcGIS Server account permissions to read the data, then register the location with ArcGIS Server (see Registering data below).

For example, when you publish a globe service, you don't need to give the ArcGIS Server account permissions to read your 3DD file (because this is always copied to the server). However, explicitly give the ArcGIS Server account read permissions to the data used in the layers of that 3DD document, then register these data locations with ArcGIS Server.

1. Grant at least read permissions to the ArcGIS Server account for the data.
2. Grant at least read permissions to the ArcGIS Server account for the folder. Grant permissions to every directory down to this folder. For the example above, grant permissions to all the folders below:
   • /opt
   • /opt/gisdir
   • /opt/gisdir/server_output

If your data is accessed through an enterprise geodatabase, make sure that your name and password are saved in the database connection. For detailed help with accessing enterprise geodatabases through ArcGIS Server services, see Making your data accessible to ArcGIS for Server. This topic also explains what to do if your data is stored on a machine where no other ArcGIS Server components are installed.

Publish services

With a connection to the server established, you can begin publishing your GIS resources as services. To add a service, follow the directions in How to publish a service.

Most types of services begin in ArcGIS for Desktop, where you author the underlying GIS resource for the service. This could be a map, a locator, a toolbox, a mosaic dataset, and so on. ArcGIS for Desktop contains toolbars and other user interface components to help you through the process of publishing these resources to the server.

Use the services

Once you add services to your GIS server, you can use them in many types of applications. These include ArcGIS.com, Portal for ArcGIS, and applications you create with the ArcGIS API for JavaScript. Alternatively, you can view services in ArcGIS for Desktop (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcCatalog, and ArcGlobe. Mobile devices, such as the iPhone, Android-based devices, and Windows Phone, can also use your GIS services.