Named trace configurations

Named trace configurations allow you to store complex traces in a utility network for reuse and sharing across an organization using ArcGIS Pro and web maps to be consumed by web and field applications. Introduced with version 5 of the utility network, the use of named trace configurations in an organization simplifies the user experience associated with tracing and allows users to discover information or answer questions using a trace without the need to understand all configuration details.

The general workflow to create, share, and work with named trace configurations in the utility network is as follows:

  • Add a new named trace configuration.
  • Consume a named trace configuration in ArcGIS Pro.
  • Activate a named trace configuration in a map.
  • Share a web map containing active named trace configurations.
  • Consume named trace configurations in a web map or field application.
  • Manage named trace configurations in the network.

Add a named trace configuration

You create a named trace configuration using the Add Trace Configuration tool to name and persist configuration details of a trace in the utility network. A named trace configuration can then be referenced by name or global ID through web maps, field apps, or ArcGIS Pro to perform a trace.

When you add a named trace configuration to a utility network in an enterprise geodatabase, the active portal user account is set as the creator. This is important because it controls access to modify or delete trace configurations in the network.

Note:

When working with a utility network in a single-user deployment, operating system authentication is used to store the creator of a named trace configuration.

Learn more about how to add a trace configuration

Share named trace configurations

Beginning with ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9, named trace configurations that are added to a utility network in an enterprise deployment can be shared through a web map and consumed by web and field apps. To be included in the map definition of a web map, a named trace configuration must first be set as active for sharing.

The Sharing pane of the Network Options dialog box is used to set named trace configurations as active for sharing. To access the Sharing tab, click the dialog box launcher Launcher on the Utility Network tab, to the lower right of the Tools group, and click the Sharing tab.

The Sharing tab lists all of the named trace configurations for the utility network in the current map.

Sharing tab of the Network Options dialog box

Optionally, check the Active check box next to a named trace configuration on the dialog box. This activates a configuration for sharing and includes it in the web map's map definition. Uncheck the option to deactivate a named trace configuration from sharing. This option is unchecked by default when new named trace configurations are added to the utility network.

Learn more about how to share a web map

Consume named trace configurations

Named trace configurations created in a utility network can be consumed in ArcGIS Pro through the Trace geoprocessing tool or by using the Named Configurations tab in the Trace pane. The use of named trace configurations in ArcGIS Pro simplifies the user experience associated with tracing and provides consistency through the reuse of common traces in an organization.

The Use Trace Configuration parameter on the Trace tool allows you to specify an existing named trace configuration to be run using the tool. The Trace pane contains a Named Configurations tab, which provides a list of named trace configurations in the network that you can select and run from the pane.

Note:

Traces run from the Named Configurations tab bypass geoprocessing and do not log geoprocessing history.

To learn more, see Load named trace configurations and Run a trace configuration.

Map services can also be used to consume named trace configurations. Beginning with ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9, a named trace configuration in the utility network can be consumed with the ArcGIS REST API through the Utility Network service by global ID.

Work with named trace configurations

You can view existing named trace configurations in a utility network in the Trace Configurations section of the Network Properties tab on the Layer Properties dialog box. The Trace Configurations section includes the name, description, creator, created date, and tags for configurations in the utility network.

Various tools are provided in the Trace Configuration toolset of the Utility Network toolbox to manage and work with named trace configurations in the utility network:

  • Add Trace Configuration
  • Delete Trace Configuration
  • Export Trace Configurations
  • Import Trace Configurations

When working with a utility network in an enterprise geodatabase, only the portal utility network owner or a portal user with the Administrator role can modify and delete all trace configurations. Other portal accounts can modify only named trace configurations they create. When working with a utility network in a single-user deployment, any user can modify and delete all named trace configurations in the network.

The Delete Trace Configuration tool provides the ability to delete one or more named trace configurations from a utility network.

Caution:

Using this tool, named trace configurations are permanently deleted from a utility network. Deleting a named trace configuration breaks its connection with any web maps where it is referenced.

In scenarios in which a named trace configuration needs to be modified to account for a network update or changing condition in the field, you can delete the existing configuration and work through the process to add, share, and overwrite existing web maps with the new configuration. Note that this process will break any existing downstream dependencies on the web map. Alternatively, beginning with ArcGIS Enterprise 10.9, the Alter operation on the Trace Configurations resource in the REST API can be referenced to modify an existing trace configuration in place. To learn more, see Delete a trace configuration.

The Export Trace Configurations and Import Trace Configurations tools provide the ability to export and import one or more named trace configurations between geodatabases and utility networks through JSON.

Note:

The creator value in the .json file is honored during import. Since the portal utility network owner is the only user who can view and work with all trace configurations in a utility network, it is important to update the creator value as necessary to ensure proper access to the imported named trace configurations in an enterprise geodatabase.

To learn more, see Export a trace configuration and Import a trace configuration.