FAQ

At version 9, why did ESRI change from distributing ArcSDE by RDBMS to distributing ArcSDE by server operating system?

This change brings ArcSDE in line with the way that all of ESRI's other products are packaged and provides us with more flexibility for future product bundling and special promotions.

Supported Database Environments

Is ArcSDE supported on Oracle Standard Edition?
Yes, ArcSDE works with Oracle's Standard and Enterprise Editions.

Does ArcSDE 9 support Oracle10g?
Yes, ArcSDE 9.0 has been certified with Oracle 10g.

Does ESRI plan to support IBM DB2 UDB 8.2?
DB2 UDB release 8.2 is currently in beta. ESRI plans to support the final release of DB2 UDB 8.2 with either ArcSDE 9.0 or 9.0.1, depending on the timing of the final release.

Can I use MSDE 2000 with ArcSDE for SQL Server instead of SQL Server 2000?
Yes, Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine (MSDE 2000) is a free, redistributable version of SQL Server that can now be downloaded from the SQL Server Web site and used with ArcSDE for SQL Server. Several Microsoft product licenses convey the right to use and redistribute MSDE 2000.

Using ArcSDE With Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine discusses the benefits and limitations of using Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine (MSDE) and provides a step-by-step guide to the installation process of both MSDE and ArcSDE 8.2 and 8.3.

Is ArcSDE supported with the RDBMS vendor spatial extensions?
Yes, ArcSDE is fully supported with IBM DB2 Spatial Extender, IBM Informix Spatial DataBlade, and Oracle 9i Locator and 9i Spatial. Note, Oracle Locator is available on both Oracle Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition, and Oracle9i Spatial is an extra cost option with Enterprise Edition.

Does ArcSDE support the Oracle Spatial relational geometry model?
ArcSDE no longer supports the Oracle Spatial relational geometry model, sometimes called the normalized model. Oracle does not recommend this data model, and Oracle stopped supporting it in Oracle 9i release 2.

Miscellaneous Questions

How is ESRI involved in standards initiatives for spatial data and Web services?
GIS interoperability and standards are critically important elements in ESRI's overall software development and support efforts. ESRI is committed to supporting and actively participating in many GIS interoperability efforts. ArcGIS, ESRI's scalable family of software products, is built on this foundation of industry standards.

What additional services does ArcSDE add to IBM's DB2 Spatial Extender or Informix Spatial DataBlade and Oracle9i Locator or 9i Spatial?
ArcSDE adds the following key features to the IBM DB2 Spatial Extender, IBM Informix Spatial DataBlade, and Oracle9i Locator and Oracle9i Spatial:

• Database portability
• Schema portability
• Improved spatial data integrity
• Additional data types such as annotation, raster, computer-aided design, and survey data
• Reduced cost of database development with data loaders, administration tools, and data from the Geography Network and other commercial resources
• Reduced cost of custom application development with ArcSDE C or Java application program interface (API), ArcGIS 9 Engine, and ArcGIS 9 Server
• Options for load balancing for more effective performance
• Support for direct editing of spatial data in the RDBMS including multiple user editing with long transactions and advanced rule-based editing with ArcGIS 8

Is it possible to write an applet with the ArcSDE Java API?
Yes, the ArcSDE Java API can be used to develop applet-based applications. However, the ArcSDE Java API requires access to resources that applets loaded over the network cannot access. Because of this, both the ArcSDE Java API applet-based application and the ArcSDE Java API jar file must be deployed as Java extensions.

Can Oracle Advanced Replication be used with ArcSDE?
ArcSDE enables the use of Oracle Advanced Replication. Read-only snapshot replication can be used to replicate the changes of a geodatabase feature class or table. Other types of Advanced Replication, such as editable snapshot replication and multimaster replication, cannot be supported as they would corrupt the chronological sequence of the version state tree model.

Can connections to multiple databases be made in SQL Server through ArcSDE from an ArcGIS client?
If you are using the multispatial database model in SQL Server, you can access multiple databases using a single ArcSDE instance. The main database stores the ArcSDE repository and ArcSDE layers, if desired. Once the ArcSDE user is added to the database, all other databases will contain ArcSDE layers.

Does ESRI support the new 64-bit Intel Itanium 2 processors?
Recently Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, and Red Hat Linux have each released versions of their operating systems that support Intel's new 64-bit Itanium 2 servers. In addition, Oracle, Microsoft, and IBM have released versions of their databases that support Intel's new servers.

ESRI does not currently support Intel's new 64-bit Itanium 2. ESRI will continue to monitor and evaluate the market demand for native 64-bit versions of ArcSDE, ArcGIS Server, and ArcIMS for future releases with Itanium 2 and 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2003, HP-UX, and Red Hat Linux.

Support Resources

Does ESRI provide on-site or customized implementation services?
ESRI's Professional Services offers on-site consulting and customized implementation services for ArcSDE. These services can range from installations and performance tuning to high-end consulting services where the integration of complex applications and services are required. Please contact Larry Boden for details.