What is an ArcGIS Explorer home server?

ArcGIS Explorer is a lightweight desktop application that can view GIS services and local data in three dimensions. ArcGIS Explorer is free, and distributable throughout your organization. You can download ArcGIS Explorer from http://www.esri.com/arcgisexplorer.

When you first install ArcGIS Explorer, the application displays data from servers hosted by ESRI. This is because ESRI's server is the default home server for ArcGIS Explorer. You can configure ArcGIS Explorer so that your ArcGIS Server system is the home server instead.

A home server hosts the default map that is loaded in ArcGIS Explorer on startup. Additionally, a home server can control the look and behavior of the ArcGIS Explorer application. A home server can also notify ArcGIS Explorer when certain updates are available and provide additional help topics.

Making your system an ArcGIS Explorer home server

To make your system an ArcGIS Server home server, download the home server files from the ArcGIS Explorer download page. Once you've downloaded the files and unzipped the folder, open home_server_help\index.htm to learn how to set up and administer your home server.