Compatibility of ArcGIS 10.1 for Server with previous versions

This topic addresses common questions about the behavior of ArcGIS 10.1 for Server when used with previous versions of ArcGIS.

Can I view and use my 10.1 services within ArcGIS Desktop 10?

Yes. You can add 10.1 services to ArcGIS Desktop 10 and use them in the same ways that you used them in the past, including as a layer in ArcMap. This is accomplished purely through web service communication, and not the local (DCOM) connections that were an option in 10. The fundamental structure and format of REST and SOAP requests that a client makes to an ArcGIS Server web service have not changed at version 10.1.

Can I publish a map service to 10.1 using ArcGIS Desktop 10?

No. You must use version 10.1 to publish a service to a 10.1 server.

Can I publish a map service to ArcGIS Server 10.0 using ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop?

No. You cannot directly publish a map document (.mxd) from ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop to ArcGIS Server 10.0.

However, there is a workaround that allows you to publish to ArcGIS Server 10.0 indirectly with limited functionality. First, you'll need to create an MXD in ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop and save it as a version 10.0 MXD in a location that the SOC account has access to. Then, you'll need to publish the version 10.0 MXD to ArcGIS Server 10.0 using ArcGIS Server Manager. You cannot use ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop to publish the version 10.0 MXD to ArcGIS Server 10.0.

Keep in mind that you cannot use ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop to create a version 10.0 map service definition (.msd) or publish MSDs to ArcGIS Server. This functionality has been removed. In order to create an MSD and publish it to ArcGIS Server 10.0, you'll need to use ArcGIS Desktop 10.0.

For more information about saving an MXD to version 10.0, see Saving a map.

Can I administer a 10.1 server using ArcGIS Desktop 10?

No. You must use version 10.1 to administer a 10.1 server. In the scenario where you have upgraded to ArcGIS 10.1 for Server but you have not upgraded Desktop, consider using the ArcGIS Server Manager web application to administer your server.

Can I administer a 10.0 server using ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop?

No. You must use version 10.0 to administer a 10.0 server. In the scenario where you have upgraded to ArcGIS 10.1 for Desktop and you need to administer a server from a previous version, consider using the ArcGIS Server Manager web application to administer the server.

Using 10.1, can I connect to geodatabases that are running on previous versions?

Yes. See Client and geodatabase compatibility for a list of compatible versions.

In 10.1, can I reuse a map cache that I created in 10 so that I don't have to re-create the cache?

Yes. Make sure your cache is sitting in a server cache directory that is registered with ArcGIS 10.1 for Server (either by moving your cache or by registering its current location as a server cache directory). Then republish the service at 10.1 with the same name that it used in 10 and configure the service to point to the appropriate cache directory. See Migration to ArcGIS 10.1 for Server for full instructions.

Do all the components of my site need to be running the same 10.1 service pack?

You should ensure that the GIS server and Web Adaptor components of your site are running at the same 10.1 service pack level. This should also be the same service pack level that you use with ArcGIS for Desktop.

ArcSDE does not have to be at the same version or service pack level as ArcGIS for Server. See Client and geodatabase compatibility.

12/18/2014