What's new in the ArcGIS 10.1 for Server install
The architecture, functionality, and workflows used with ArcGIS for Server have seen significant changes at version 10.1. This topic highlights many of those changes and is of particular interest to users of previous versions of ArcGIS for Server.
Some of the install-related highlights are listed below with links that will lead you to more information.
Installation
Simplified installation
The ArcGIS for Server installation experience has been greatly simplified to eliminate many dependencies and steps that were required in previous releases.
- You are no longer required to install the .NET framework or a particular Java runtime.
- Integrating with a separate web server (Microsoft IIS, WebSphere, and so on) is no longer a requirement. Installing ArcGIS for Server provides you with a ready-to-use web services-based GIS server, which includes all web management tools and applications.
- During the setup you provide you'll be asked to provide just one account that will access your GIS resources, data, and run the ArcGIS Server service. This account is called the ArcGIS Server account. At 10.1, there is no postinstallation to complete, and there are no SOM, SOC, or ArcGIS web services accounts to configure.
- There are no dependencies on DCOM, simplifying the configuration of firewalls within your network.
The process of creating a multiple-machine deployment of ArcGIS Server has also been simplified. You run the same installation on each machine and connect the machines using ArcGIS Server Manager.
The Getting started after install book of this help system contains topics and step-by-step instructions that can help you configure and deploy ArcGIS for Server.
Configure ArcGIS Server Account utility
Configure ArcGIS Server Account is a small utility included with the ArcGIS for Server setup that allows you to change the ArcGIS Server account. If you encounter a situation where you need to modify the account, you can launch the utility from your ArcGIS for Server installation location.
For more information about the ArcGIS Server account, see The ArcGIS Server account.
Architecture
Setups distinguished by Windows or Linux
Previously, two setups of ArcGIS for Server were offered: ArcGIS Server for the Microsoft .NET Framework, and ArcGIS Server for the Java Platform. At 10.1, the setups are distinguished by operating system. The two setups are now ArcGIS for Server (Windows) and ArcGIS for Server (Linux).
ArcGIS for Server is now a 64-bit application
ArcGIS for Server runs as a native 64-bit application so that your GIS services can take full advantage of your hardware. This change enhances the throughput and scalability of ArcGIS for Server. Given that 64-bit hardware is the current industry standard, support for 32-bit operating systems has been discontinued.
As an exclusive 64-bit application, ArcGIS for Server requires a 64-bit Windows computing platform, such as Windows Server 2008 R2. If you are unsure whether your operating system is supported with ArcGIS for Server, see the system requirements.
Simplified installation
The ArcGIS for Server installation experience has been greatly simplified to eliminate many dependencies and steps that were required in previous releases.
- You are no longer required to install the .NET framework or a particular Java runtime.
- Integrating with a separate web server (Microsoft IIS, WebSphere, and so on) is no longer a requirement. Installing ArcGIS for Server provides you with a ready-to-use web services-based GIS server, which includes all web management tools and applications.
- During the setup you provide you'll be asked to provide just one account that will access your GIS resources, data, and run the ArcGIS Server service. This account is called the ArcGIS Server account. At 10.1, there is no postinstallation to complete, and there are no SOM, SOC, or ArcGIS web services accounts to configure.
- There are no dependencies on DCOM, simplifying the configuration of firewalls within your network.
The process of creating a multiple-machine deployment of ArcGIS Server has also been simplified. You run the same installation on each machine and connect the machines using ArcGIS Server Manager.
The Getting started after install book of this help system contains topics and step-by-step instructions that can help you configure and deploy ArcGIS for Server.
The ArcGIS Server site replaces the SOM-SOC model
In previous versions of ArcGIS Server, the GIS server was composed of two distinct parts: the server object containers (SOCs) and server object manager (SOM). SOCs hosted GIS services, while the SOM managed these services and provided them to clients for use.
In ArcGIS 10.1 for Server, the SOM-SOC model has been replaced by the ArcGIS Server site. A site is a deployment of one or more machines (GIS servers) that have ArcGIS for Server installed and work together. The 10.1 site architecture is more robust than the SOM-SOC model. It reduces the chances of failure, and simplifies the provisioning and recovery of new machines.
To learn more, see Inside an ArcGIS Server site.
ArcGIS Web Adaptor
The ArcGIS Web Adaptor is a setup that you can install to allow ArcGIS for Server to work with your own web server. ArcGIS for Server can expose REST and SOAP web services out of the box, but if you want to configure a custom URL for your site or integrate with your web server's security model, you should install the ArcGIS Web Adaptor. This component is also recommended when you configure a site with multiple machines, or when you want to tighten security on your GIS server.
For more information, see the topic About the ArcGIS Web Adaptor.