Connecting to a GIS server in ArcCatalog

ArcCatalog provides two options for connecting to a GIS server: you can create either an administrative connection to manage GIS services, or a user connection to use GIS services.

Making an administrative connection

When you connect as an administrator, you can use and edit the properties of all the services running on the server. You can also add, remove, start, stop, and pause services. Consequently, you must be running ArcCatalog as a member of the server's agsadmin group in order to make an administrative connection.

Using ArcCatalog, you can only make an administrative connection through a local area network. If you want to administer the server through the Internet, use ArcGIS Server Manager.

If you are unable to connect to the server or you can connect but don't have administrative access, it means your operating system account does not have the right permissions for accessing your GIS server. The first time you connect to the GIS server after installation, you'll need to add one or more container machines to it.

Learn more about adding a server object container.

How to make an administrative connection to the server

1. Double-click the GIS Servers node in the Catalog tree.
2. Double-click Add ArcGIS Server.
3. Choose Manage GIS Services and click Next.
4. For Server URL, type the URL of the ArcGIS Server instance you want to connect to. This URL will be formatted as follows: http://<server name>/<instance name>/services (Example: http://myServer/arcgis/services).
5. For Host Name, type the name of the server you want to connect to. While your GIS server can be configured across several machines, the server name you should specify is the one that's running the server object manager (SOM).
6. Click Finish. The server appears in the Catalog tree.

Making a user connection

When you connect as a user, you can view and use the services on the server, but you cannot edit their properties or add, remove, start, stop, or pause services. When making a user connection, you can choose to connect to a local server running on the local area network (LAN) or a remote server over the Internet. You must be running ArcCatalog as a member of the server's agsusers group to make a user connection over the LAN.

How to make a user connection to the server

1. Double-click the GIS Servers node in the Catalog tree.
2. Double-click Add ArcGIS Server.
3. Choose Use GIS Services and click Next.
4. Choose the connection type and the server you want to connect to.
   • If you are connecting to a server on the LAN, choose Local and type the name of the server you want to connect to. While your GIS server can be configured across several machines, the server machine you should specify is the one that's running the server object manager (SOM).

   • If you are connecting to a server through the Internet, choose Internet and type the URL of the server or folder you want to connect to. The URL will be formatted as follows: http://<server name>/<instance name>/services (Example: http://myServer/arcgis/services).

     You also need to type a name and password if the server administrator has enabled security.

     Note to administrators: A Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection is recommended if users will be transmitting user names and passwords to your server.

     Learn more about setting up SSL.