A trace network provides the framework to visualize, manage, and work with simple connectivity models. A trace network represents the connectivity relationship between a collection of feature classes in a feature dataset where each feature class has either the role of a junction or an edge. Multiple feature classes can participate in each role in a single trace network.
The basic methodology used to create a trace network is to determine which feature classes will participate in the network and the role each will play. A trace network can be created with either the Create Trace Network tool or the Convert Geometric Network to Trace Network tool.
Note:
A trace network can be created with z-enabled feature classes to support 3D capabilities. Connectivity is established based on x, y, and z coincidence when the network topology is created. Connectivity is not determined using z unless all feature classes that participate in the trace network are z-enabled.
Create Trace Network tool
The Create Trace Network tool is used to create a new trace network in a feature dataset using the specified feature classes.
Requirements and prerequisites
The requirements and prerequisites for creating a trace network are as follows:
An existing feature dataset must be specified for the Input Feature Dataset parameter.
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The feature classes must reside in the same feature dataset as the trace network.
- At least an input junction or an input edge is required.
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Only point and line feature classes are supported as input. The feature classes cannot participate in another trace network or other advanced geodatabase functionality such as a topology or network dataset.
- When working with an enterprise geodatabase, the following requirements must be met.
- The input feature dataset must be from a database connection established as a database-authenticated user and owner of the input feature dataset. This user must have database privileges to create content and cannot be an OS-authenticated user, a database administrator, or the geodatabase administrator account.
- ArcGIS Enterprise must be 10.9 or later. The version of ArcGIS Pro determines the compatible ArcGIS Enterprise version. For more information, see ArcGIS platform compatibility.
License:
The active portal account must be licensed with the ArcGIS Trace Network user type extension to create, publish, and work with a trace network in an enterprise geodatabase.- An active ArcGIS Enterprise portal must be added to the project with a portal account signed in that has privileges to publish content; this includes privileges to publish server-based layers as well as create, update, and delete content. The default Publisher role includes these privileges. The active ArcGIS Enterprise portal account will be recorded in the network properties as the portal trace network owner.
- ArcGIS Server must be federated with Portal for ArcGIS. Configuring a base ArcGIS Enterprise deployment is recommended but not required.
Supported geodatabases
A trace network can be created in a file or enterprise geodatabase. When working with an enterprise geodatabase in ArcGIS Pro 2.7 and ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9, the geodatabase version must be current.
To create a trace network in an enterprise geodatabase, the database platform must meet the minimum release in the table below. For more information, refer to the database requirements for ArcGIS Pro.
| Database platform | Minimum release |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | SQL Server 2016 |
Oracle 12.1.0.2 | |
| PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL 10.12 |
| SAP HANA | HANA 2.0 SPS04 |
Create a trace network in a geodatabase
To create a trace network in a geodatabase, complete the following steps:
- On the Analysis tab, in the Geoprocessing group, click Tools
to open the Geoprocessing pane. - In the Geoprocessing pane, search for and select Create Trace Network.
- For Input Feature Dataset, browse to an existing feature dataset
within your geodatabase. By default, geodatabases are created under Databases 
in the Catalog pane. - For the Trace Network Name parameter, specify a name for the trace network.
- For the Input Junctions parameter, choose input junctions from the available point feature classes
. These feature classes must reside in the input feature dataset provided in step 3. - For the Input Edges parameter, choose input edges from the available line feature classes
. These feature classes must reside in the input feature dataset provided in step 3. - Click the Connectivity Policy drop-down menu to specify whether the input edge feature class should be set as a simple or complex edge.
- Click Run to execute the tool.
The selected feature dataset is now populated with a trace network. You can now enable the network topology to establish connectivity.