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Compatibility between clients and geodatabases

Compatibility between clients and geodatabases

Release 9.3 E-mail This TopicPrintable VersionGive Us feedback
Prior to ArcGIS 9.3, clients and geodatabases had to be maintained at the same release to be able to make a direct connection from the client to the geodatabase. Additionally, older clients could not connect to newer versions of the geodatabase with a direct connection or using an ArcSDE service (application server).

Beginning with ArcGIS 9.3, you can install files that will allow you to make a direct connection from any ArcGIS or ArcIMS 9.3 client to a 9.3, 9.2, 9.1, or 9.0 ArcSDE geodatabase. This allows you to use direct connections to the geodatabase without having to upgrade the geodatabase at the same time the clients are upgraded. The installation file for the necessary direct connect drivers is in the GDBDirectConnect folder on your installation media. On Windows, it can be executed from the installation dialog box and is called ArcGIS Pre 9.3 GDB Direct Connect drivers. You must run this installation to get the drivers.

ArcSDE application server connections are not affected by this; you are still able to connect from an ArcGIS 9.3 client to an older geodatabase using an ArcSDE application server, just as you always were.

In addition, files are available from the ESRI support site to allow you to connect from ArcGIS 9.2 service pack 5 (SP5) or later 9.2 SP release clients to ArcSDE 9.3 geodatabases using a direct connection. You will also be able to make an application server connection from ArcGIS 9.2 SP5 or later 9.2 SP clients to an ArcSDE geodatabase. No additional files are necessary to make the application server (ArcSDE service) connection from ArcGIS 9.2 SP5 or later service packs to an ArcSDE 9.3 geodatabase.

This topic covers some of the rules that apply to these interoperable connections.

See Also

  • An overview of ArcSDE geodatabase connections
  • Properties of a direct connection to an ArcSDE geodatabase
  • ArcSDE connection syntax