Utility network dataset administration

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

After a utility network is created and configured in a geodatabase, additional administration tasks are necessary, depending on your organizational needs. Dataset administration tasks for a utility network can include the need to migrate the dataset between geodatabases, upgrade the dataset, or update the portal utility network owner. .

Migrate a utility network dataset

After a utility network is created and configured, there may be data management tasks that require migration for staging and testing. The utility network dataset supports migration between geodatabases using the core copy and paste data transfer tools in ArcGIS Pro. When you copy the feature dataset containing a utility network, the state of the network in the source is preserved in output. This means that the status of subnetworks, diagrams, and network topology are maintained in the target geodatabase along with any existing dirty areas.

A utility network dataset and its related feature classes can also be transferred between a file geodatabase and a mobile or enterprise geodatabase for staging and testing with the Utility Network Package Tools or by using the Export XML Workspace Document and Import XML Workspace Document geoprocessing tools. When this option is used, new utility network dataset is created in the target geodatabase.

The tools found in the Utility Network Package toolbox provide the default method to migrate a utility network. This method migrates the schema, properties, related layers, tables, and data of a utility network through an asset package.

Learn more about the Utility Network Package Toolbox

Migrate a dataset using an XML workspace document

An XML workspace document can be used to transfer a utility network across geodatabases at the feature dataset level. Options exist to export data or the schema alone. The Schema only option under the Export Options parameter will export the utility network schema along with existing network rules, network diagram templates, and named trace configurations. The default Data option will additionally export the data, associations, and network diagrams.

There are a few key items to be aware of when migrating a utility network using an XML workspace document:

Caution:

It is important to note that the Export XML Workspace Document tool is not recommended for copying large amounts of geodatabase data with the default Data option. Alternatively, you can use the core copy and paste tools in ArcGIS Pro or an XML workspace document to transfer the dataset's schema between geodatabases followed by use of the Append tool.

It is recommended that you enable the network topology, update subnetworks to re-create your subnetwork system diagrams, and update any other diagrams after importing an XML workspace document into a new geodatabase.

Upgrade a utility network dataset

An upgrade of the utility network dataset is needed to take advantage of new functionality introduced through schema changes in the information model. When working with an enterprise deployment, the version of ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise, as well as the current Utility Network Version value determine whether an upgrade is available.

Learn more about utility network compatibility

Upgrades are cumulative between versions and include changes from skipped versions. For example, if you update the utility network from Utility Network Version 3 to Utility Network Version 5, all schema changes for versions 4 and 5 are included. When upgrading a utility network dataset from version 3 or earlier, additional steps are required after the upgrade process. Review steps for each version included in the upgrade path.

Keep in mind that not every ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Enterprise release introduce schema changes, and an upgrade of the utility network dataset is not required when moving to a new release. Upgrading is only required to take advantage of functionality introduced in a new version of the utility network.

Tip:

The version and upgrade history for a utility network can be viewed in the General section of the Network Properties tab.

For more information on schema changes made with different versions of the utility network, refer to the specific version in the Utility network upgrade history.

Requirements

To upgrade a utility network dataset, use the Upgrade Dataset tool. Before the upgrade is attempted, the following requirements must be met:

  • Save any edits.
  • Obtain an exclusive lock and close any active connections, including those from services.
  • Disable the network topology.

When working with an enterprise deployment, the following additional requirements must be met:

  • For Utility Network Version 7 and later, the enterprise geodatabase version must be 11.2.0 or higher to support 64-bit object IDs and big integer fields.

Update the portal utility network owner

When working with an enterprise geodatabase, a utility network dataset has two owners that are used to control access for administrative tasks. In addition to the database user who creates a utility network, the active portal user account during creation is recorded as the portal utility network owner. When a utility network is created, these owners are determined based on the user accounts for the database connection and active ArcGIS Enterprise portal.

While the data owner (database user) cannot be updated without re-creating the data, you can update the portal dataset owner for a utility network. If the existing portal utility network owner leaves the organization, you must change the portal owner to another user. This user must comply with the same user type and privilege as the original owner. Refer to the Update Portal Dataset Owner tool for more information.

After the portal owner is updated for the dataset, you must also change item ownership for any existing portal items for map, image, and feature layers.

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