Set up ArcGIS Data Appliance (new user)

Follow the steps below to complete the ArcGIS Data Appliance 2026 setup process to begin using basemaps.

1. Unpack the components
2. Install the rackmount kit
3. Cable ArcGIS Data Appliance
4. Power on the server
5. Set up Windows Server
6. Log in to ArcGIS Data Appliance
7. Update Windows Server
8. Create ArcGIS users on ArcGIS Data Appliance
9. Create shares for the new data collections
10. Configure the cache directories
11. Publish the services
12. Use the services

Instructions for steps 1 through 7 are available in the ArcGIS Data Appliance Quick Start Guide at the Arxys Support page on its website. The documentation is in the ArcGIS Data Appliance section in the Arxys Support Documentation section.

Prerequisites

ArcGIS Server 11.1 or later is required for ArcGIS Data Appliance 2026. If you purchased a license for ArcGIS Data Appliance with ArcGIS Server, install ArcGIS Server before performing the steps. For more information about what's supported, see System requirements.

Caution:

It is imperative that care and precautions be taken when handling the data collection hard drives.

Step 1: Unpack the components

ArcGIS Data Appliance is shipped with the data collection hard disk drives installed, depending on the product option.

Step 2: Install the rackmount kit

ArcGIS Data Appliance ships with a rackmount rail kit. Remove the hard disk drives from the system before attempting to install ArcGIS Data Appliance into a rack. Follow the instructions shipped with the rackmount rail kit.

Step 3: Cable ArcGIS Data Appliance

ArcGIS Data Appliance hardware requires two AC power sources. Connect both power cords. Connect a monitor to the VGA port. Connect a keyboard and mouse to USB ports. Network connectivity is required during the operation of ArcGIS Data Appliance. Plug an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet port of the data appliance. A network cable should also be connected to the management port for later use.

Step 4: Power on the server

To power on ArcGIS Data Appliance, press the power button. The Microsoft Windows operating system requires an initial configuration when used for the first time. Allow the server to boot uninterrupted; it may reboot as the final configuration is applied to the system.

Step 5: Set up Windows Server

Once the system is finished booting, follow the on-screen instructions. Refer to the ArcGIS Data Appliance Quick Start Guide on the Arxys website for information about activating Windows and for details about system setup.

Step 6: Log in to ArcGIS Data Appliance

Follow the on-screen instructions to log in to ArcGIS Data Appliance.

Step 7: Update Windows Server

ArcGIS Data Appliance ships with the Microsoft Windows Server operating appliance. Microsoft routinely releases updates and patches to improve stability and security. Any updates released after ArcGIS Data Appliance has shipped must be applied.

Step 8: Create ArcGIS users on ArcGIS Data Appliance

To create ArcGIS users on ArcGIS Data Appliance, see Create ArcGIS users for instructions.

Step 9: Create shares for the new data collections

To create shares, see Create shares for instructions.

Step 10: Configure the cache directories

To configure the cache directories, see Configure the cache directories for instructions.

Note:

If you're using the World_Imagery service for World Standard or Advanced or North America Standard or Advanced collections, you also must configure the source documents directories.

Step 11: Publish the services

To publish the services included with ArcGIS Data Appliance, see the following topics:

• Publish basemap and reference layer services
• Publish World Elevation services
• Publish elevation analysis geoprocessing services

Note:

Optionally, add ExportTiles functionality to download map tiles from the server for offline use.

Step 12: Use the services

See Use services for instructions on how to use the services included with ArcGIS Data Appliance.