Virginia VanderVeen, GISP
ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 arrived with a host of new features and enhancements, marking a significant leap from previous versions. In this post, we'll delve into the key highlights of this release, covering system requirements, notable changes, and the latest functionalities that make ArcGIS Enterprise even more powerful and user-friendly.
System Requirements:
First, a quick overview of system requirements. ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 no longer supports Windows Server 2012, but requires 2016 or newer.
Upgrade Highlights:
There is no ArcMap Runtime available for those transitioning from version 10.9.1 to 11.1. However, faster installation times and a handy portal upgrade status feature have been introduced along with badges for retired items, making the upgrade process more streamlined.
Notable Changes:
The transition to ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 brings about several important changes. One of these changes is the retirement of ArcMap-based workflows, with version 10.9.1 being the last to support these workflows. The introduction of hierarchical categories for organizing members, and scheduled admin reports enhance the overall user experience.
Version 11.0 introduced the Operational Health Python script. This script conducts comprehensive scans, identifying architecture and configuration issues that might impact the smooth operation of your ArcGIS Enterprise setup. By aligning with industry best practices, it evaluates diverse criteria and configuration properties crucial for stable, optimized, and high-functioning production environments. The script categorizes issues into three severity levels: Critical, Important, and Recommended, providing a structured approach to address and enhance system performance. It should be noted that at 11.1 there is a bug (BUG-000158207) that prevents the script from completing. This bug is fixed in ArcGIS Enterprise 11.2.
New Privileges and Functionality:
ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 introduces several new privileges and functionalities across various modules. Conditional visibility and calculated expressions, map viewer editing forms, and the ability to create hosted feature layer views with predefined view definitions have all been added.
Retired Apps and Python Script:
To streamline the transition, a Python script is available for identifying retired apps. This script facilitates the identification of deprecated items, ensuring a smooth migration process for users upgrading to version 11.1.
Technical Support and Extended Release:
The life cycle of ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 can be viewed in the Multiple version table here, but general support is available through April 2025, with extended support through April 2027, and mature support until April of 2029, at which point the version will be retired.
Web Adapter Changes:
Starting at Enterprise 11.1, Esri introduced the .NET 6-based Web Adaptor for IIS, which requires additional software prerequisites (Microsoft Web Deploy 3.6 and the ASP.NET Core Runtime - Windows Hosting Bundle 6.x) prior to installation. Unlike previous versions where Web Adaptors shared the same application pool, in version 11.1, each Web Adaptor now operates within its own application pool. An identified issue with the 11.1 Web Adaptors caused failures under high load. This was resolved through the ArcGIS Web Adaptor (IIS) 11.1 Reliability Update 2 Patch. The issue has been completely resolved in ArcGIS Enterprise 11.2.
Portal Enhancements:
The introduction of organizational webhooks, a new privilege to manage categories, and the AD_LDAP tool for Active Directory user management in Portal are new to ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1. These additions contribute to better organization and administration of ArcGIS Enterprise.
Conclusion:
ArcGIS Enterprise 11.1 brings a wealth of new features, bug fixes, and improvements, making it a compelling upgrade for GIS professionals. Whether you're managing users or exploring new privileges, this release offers a robust and refined GIS experience. Stay informed and updated, and leverage the power of ArcGIS Enterprise for your spatial analytics and mapping needs. Contact us at cloudpointgeo.com/contact if you have any questions or want help with your upgrade.