When you share web layers from ArcGIS Pro, you can either reference registered data or copy all data. This topic discusses the differences and advantages of each, where data is stored when it is copied, and when to use either option. Understanding the information in this topic is important in determining how your data is managed and how your web layers are shared.
Your active portal determines whether you can share web layers that reference registered data or only copy all data. ArcGIS Enterprise supports both, while ArcGIS Online only supports sharing web layers that copy all data.
Reference registered data
If you share a web layer that references registered data, the data is referenced at its user-managed location such as a folder, database, or cloud store. For example, you may want to publish data that resides in a Microsoft SQL Server or other data source you manage. If you reference the data when sharing, the web layer's data remains in the data source where it can be maintained and continually updated. The web layer is dependent on the availability of the data source and automatically reflects changes to the data. Similarly, edits made to the web layer are reflected in the data source.
For web layers to reference data, you must register the data source with the server so that it can access locations containing the data. Otherwise, unregistered data is copied when possible. For information on registering your data source, see Data sources for ArcGIS Server and Manage registered data stores.
Since data is not copied from its source when sharing web layers that reference data, the publishing process takes less time and additional server storage space is not required.
The reference registered data option is available when sharing map image, feature, vector tile, imagery, scene, and elevation layers. A map image layer is included when you share web feature layers, vector tile layers, and web scene layers with the reference option. (For vector tile layers and web scene layers that reference registered data, a web feature layer is also included to support editing.)
Copy all data
If you share a web layer that copies all data, data is copied from its source to the server, or a package containing a cache is uploaded to the portal. Data is copied even if the data source is registered with the server. Once copied, the web layer data is managed by ArcGIS rather than referenced in a user-managed location.
Since web layers that copy all data are independent of the original data source, you can interact with the copied data or cache through the web layer without needing access to the data in its original location. However, this means that changes to the source data won’t appear in the web layer. You must overwrite the web layer or share a new web layer to reflect changes to the source data.
Depending on the type of web layer you share, the source data is either copied to the relational data store on the hosting server or a server directory, or a package containing a cache is uploaded. Here are a few examples:
- When sharing a web feature layer, the data is copied to the relational data store on the hosting server.
- When sharing a map image layer, the data is copied to the server system directory.
- When sharing a web layer cached locally, a package containing the cache is uploaded to the portal and extracted to the server cache directory.
The table below summarizes differences between reference registered data and copy all data.
| Reference registered data | Copy all data | |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | References the data in a folder, database, or cloud store | Creates a copy of the data or uploads a package containing a cache |
Editing a web layer | Reflects changes made to the original data source | Does not reflect changes made to the original data source |
Who manages the data | User | ArcGIS |
Location of data | Data remains stored in the registered data source location. | Data is copied to the relational data store on the hosting server, server directory, or used to create cache that is stored in the server cache directory. |
Supported portal | ArcGIS Enterprise | ArcGIS Enterprise and ArcGIS Online |
When to use reference registered data or copy all data
Consider the information below when deciding whether to share a web layer that references registered data or copies all data.
Referencing registered data is recommended or required in the following scenarios:
- The data is frequently updated, and you want the web layer to reflect changes to the source data, or you want edits to the web layer to appear in the data.
- You want to prevent data accumulation on the server.
Since copying data requires sufficient storage space on the server, referencing the data conserves server space.
- The data is large or complex.
Referencing registered data is more efficient than copying when publishing large datasets such as imagery data or features with complex geometries.
- The data is stored in a cloud warehouse.
Sharing data in a cloud data warehouse is only possible when referencing registered data.
- The data is versioned, or archiving is enabled.
To use a capability such as version management for multiuser editing workflows, you should share a map image layer that references registered data and include an associated web feature layer to support editing.
- You are publishing utility network, network analysis, parcel fabric, or other types of data that require data to be referenced.
Copying all data is recommended or required in the following scenarios:
- You want the web layer's data to be separate from the original data source.
- Access to the web layer data outside your organization's network is necessary.
- You want to create a web layer’s cache locally.
For more information, see Data and publishing in ArcGIS Enterprise.