Virtual machine sizing and user profiles

When choosing the appropriate configuration size for ArcGIS Pro virtual machines (VMs), it's important to consider user needs and the virtual resources needed to accommodate them. To assist in this evaluation, the following user type categories are described:

  • Light user (viewing)—This user type works with a simple 2D map display, navigation, and querying. They combine and present data prepared by others.
  • Medium user (editing)—This user type works with 2D and 3D map display, navigation, querying, and editing, and uses geoprocessing tools. They compile and present data from multiple sources in a simple map layout.
  • Heavy user (visualizing)—This user type works with 2D and 3D map display, navigation, querying, and editing. They have advanced knowledge of symbology use, including transparency and dynamic labeling. This user does 2D and 3D analysis involving visibility and line of sight.

On-premises VM size recommendations

For organizations hosting ArcGIS Pro on-premises, the following are the recommended VM configurations for each user type:

User typevCPUMemoryvGPU Profile

Light

Minimum 4 vCPU

Minimum 6 GB RAM

1Q–2Q

Medium

Minimum 8 vCPU

Minimum 8 GB RAM

2Q or greater

Heavy

Minimum 12 vCPU

Minimum 16 GB RAM

4Q or greater

Cloud VM size recommendations

There are several options for cloud VMs. The subsections below list the recommendations for Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Azure single-session VM recommendations

In single-session scenarios, only one user is signed in to a session host virtual machine at a time. Using personal host pools in Azure Virtual Desktop is an example of a single-session scenario.

User typeAzure VM types

Light

NV4as_v4, NV8as_v4

Medium

NV16as_v4, NC4as_T4_v3, NC8as_T4_v3, NV6ads_A10_v5

High

NC16as_T4_v3, NV12ads_A10_v5, NV18ads_A10_v5

Azure multisession VM recommendations

In multisession scenarios, multiple users are signed in to a session host simultaneously. Using pooled host pools in Azure Virtual Desktop with the Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise multisession operating system (OS) is an example of a multisession deployment.

User typeAzure VM typesMaximum users per VM

Light

NV18ads_A10_v5, NC16as_T4_v3, NV32as_v4

6

Medium

NV18ads_A10_v5, NC16as_T4_v3, NV32as_v4

4

Heavy

NV18ads_A10_v5, NC16as_T4_v3, NV32as_v4

3

AWS EC2 instance type recommendations

The recommendations for AWS instance types are listed below.

User typeAWS EC2

Light

G4dn.xlarge, G4ad.xlarge, G5.xlarge

Medium

G4dn.2xlarge, G4ad.2xlarge, G5.2xlarge

Heavy

G4dn.4xlarge, G4ad.4xlarge, G5.4xlarge

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