In the previous articles in this series, we introduced ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Server and briefly discussed the significant changes that this software brings to the world of GIS. We also mentioned that Acorn Information Solutions launched MonARC Data Migration services to help corporations migrate to this new generation of GIS.

Today we will discuss the second major component of ArcGIS Enterprise: ArcGIS Web Adaptor

ArcGIS Web Adaptor is a software application that runs in an existing corporate website and forwards requests to server machines. It allows GIS integration with existing web servers and security mechanisms; it is required for use with Integrated Windows Authentication. 

The web adapter is platform independent of ArcGIS Server and does not have to match the operating system of the ArcGIS Server site. This means that a site composed of Linux machines can deploy ArcGIS Web Adaptor (IIS) to work with ArcGIS Server.

Using ArcGIS Web Adaptor, you can do the following: 

·        Integrate ArcGIS Server with existing web servers to host web applications that use GIS services

·        Provide a single end point that distributes incoming requests to servers in your site

·        Make your ArcGIS Server available through your organization's standard website and port

·        Block ArcGIS Server Administrator Directory and ArcGIS Server Manager from the view of external users

·        Prevent users from establishing administrative or publisher connections to ArcGIS Server

·        Use an organization’s identity store and security policies at the web-tier level

Once installed, Web Adaptor must be configured to work with a server site. It can work with a GIS Server, Image Server, Workflow Manager, GeoAnalytics Server, Knowledge Server, Notebook Server, or Mission Server site.

After completing the configuration, you can add or remove server machines as well as install multiple web adapters to make your site more highly available to clients, provide support for legacy applications, and allow publishing and administrative access to specific users in a highly secure environment. These are decisions that can be made based on the specific deployment scenario.

ArcGIS Web Adaptor can be utilized in a variety of server site configurations, as such, a corporation's existing architecture must be considered when planning a configuration. Corporations with a single server machine can install ArcGIS Web Adaptor to the same server machine or install to a dedicated web server. In multi-machine configurations you can have one entry point or establish redundancy by installing on multiple web servers. 

ArcGIS Web Adaptor is a component in ArcGIS Enterprise

that requires proper planning and configuration to work

efficiently with all other components.

We have many years of experience installing, configuring, and supporting ArcGIS Enterprise corporate implementations and migrations. 

Following the set-up of ArcGIS Server and ArcGIS Web Adaptor, we are ready to move into the front end of the GIS and publish various types of content for end users, using ArcGIS Portal, the next topic we will review.

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About the Author:

Craig Martin is Acorn’s Municipal and GIS Manager and has over 25 years of experience in the field of GIS. Craig has extensive experience in data modeling, data capture, administration, solutions architecture, and smart data networks in a variety of engineering disciplines. Connect with one of our experts at info@acorninfosolutions.ca