If you have limited access to the server—for example, in a cloud environment or secure environment—you can create a service definition file that can be shared with a server administrator for publishing at a later time. A service definition file contains information about service properties, capabilities, and the service type, which is encapsulated into one portable file. Optionally, you can configure the service definition file to include the data referenced by your GIS resource.
For example, suppose you're a GIS analyst managing a geodatabase that is constantly being modified by dozens of editors. Every month, this data goes through a quality assurance process to make sure it meets your organization's data integrity standards. After quality checking the data, you can capture the verified geodatabase with a service definition file and transfer it to your server administrator for publishing to an ArcGIS Server site.
Note:
Be aware that service definition files differ depending on whether you connect to an ArcGIS Server site or a portal organization when you create the service definition file. If you are connected to an ArcGIS Server site or choose the option to include the data referenced by your GIS resource when you create the service definition file, the file can only be used with an ArcGIS Server site; you cannot publish it to an ArcGIS Enterprise portal or ArcGIS Online. Similarly, if you are connected to an organization when you create the service definition file, you cannot publish the service definition file to an ArcGIS Server site.
Creating service definition files
Use ArcMap to create a service definition file. You can create a service definition file from any GIS resource, such as a geodatabase, address locator, map document, or geoprocessing model. Before you go through the process of creating a service definition file, consider the following scenarios:
If you have already configured a server connection
If you or your server administrator have already configured a server connection to use when publishing to ArcGIS Server, you can select this connection when creating the service definition file. Selecting this option creates a service definition file that your server administrator can immediately publish to an ArcGIS Server site.
If you specify a server connection when creating your service definition, you'll need to decide if you want the data referenced by your GIS resource to be included with the file.
- If you do not want the service definition file to include the data referenced by your GIS resource, you'll need to register your data with the server before creating the file. Data registration provides the server with information about the location of your data and helps it adjust data paths when publishing across machines. When you publish, the service will continue to reference the original data included in your GIS resource. A separate copy is not maintained on the server.
- If you want the service definition to include the data referenced by your GIS resource, do not register your data with the server. All of the data referenced by your GIS resource is encapsulated into the service definition file. When you publish, the service and its associated data are uploaded to the server. Note that it is not possible to publish a service definition that includes data if the server has been set to not allow data to be copied when publishing.
If you are disconnected from the server or have limited access
If you are currently disconnected from the server or do not have access to a server connection, you can configure your service definition with no available connection to ArcGIS Server. Selecting this option creates a service definition file that will have to be configured to work with a server connection at the time of publishing.
If you do not specify a server connection when creating your service definition, you'll need to decide if you want the data referenced by your GIS resource to be included with the file.
- If you do not want the service definition file to include the data referenced by your GIS resource, make sure the Include data in service definition when publishing option is unchecked when creating the file. The data needs to be in a location that the ArcGIS Server site you eventually publish to can access. The data location does not have to be registered with the server. When you publish, the service will continue to reference the original data included in your GIS resource. A separate copy is not maintained on the server.
- If you want the service definition to include the data referenced by your GIS resource, select Include data in service definition when publishing when creating the file. Enabling this option copies all the data referenced by your GIS resource and encapsulates it into the service definition file. When you publish, the service and its associated data are uploaded to the server. Note that it is not possible to publish a service definition that includes data if the server has been set to not allow data to be copied when publishing.
For full instructions, see Create a service definition in ArcMap.
Publishing service definition files
You can use ArcMap or ArcGIS Server Manager to publish service definition files to ArcGIS Server. For full instructions, see the following topics:
Changing the default staging location
By default, ArcMap stages service definition files to a local folder on disk. If you want to change the default staging location, see the topic Change the default staging folder in ArcMap.