ISU GIS CENTER’S

ARCSDE USER'S GUIDE AND

DATA CATALOG

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) INTRODUCTION TO ARCSDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2) CONNECTING TO ARCSDE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3) ARCSDE LAYERS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4) LAYER FILES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

5) RESEARCH FEATURE DATASET. . . . . . . . . . 23

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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION TO ARCSDE

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WHAT IS SDE?

ArcSDE (Spatial database engine) is a system that stores spatial data in a database management

system. ArcSDE manages spatial data using IBM DB2, IBM Informix, Microsoft SQL Server,

or Oracle, and allows one to serve spatial data to remote clients. ArcSDE delivers spatial data to

ArcGIS Desktop users through a direct, read-only connection from the client’s machine to

ArcSDE.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR GIS USERS?

ArcSDE allows remote users to access both raster and vector GIS datasets for use in their

projects.

The use of ArcSDE eliminates the need to download data and store it locally. This saves

time and resources as well as simplifies file management for the client.

An SDE connection keeps an active link to SDE data, regardless of where a map

document file (MXD) is located (or moved to) on the client's computer.

Because data is stored in a topological geodatabase format, accurate length and area is

calculated and reported within the database.

Users have read-only access to datasets on this network.

HOW DO GIS USERS USE THIS INFORMATION?

ArcSDE layers function identically to a shapefile or coverage in ArcMap, save for the

fact that you are not allowed to edit the dataset.

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SECTION 2: CONNECTING TO ARCSDE

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CONNECTING TO ARCSDE

If you are connecting to ArcSDE from a computer within the GIS Center, skip to

Step 3.

STEP 1:

First, establish a host connection that will allow the client machine to communicate with the host server,

Selway. To do this, modify the “Hosts” file on the client machine. This file is found in

C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS

1. Open this file with NOTEPAD

2. At the end of the file (after the entry for localhost), type the IP address for Selway (134.50.74.73),

followed by a tab (or 5 spaces) and the name “selway”. Be sure to press a carriage return after

“selway”

STEP 2:

Next, set up the client service. All ISU client connections have the same user name: sdeclient.

Each client machine should have a service called "esri_sde" in its service file. The file "services" is found

in C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\.

1. Open this file with NOTEPAD

2. Add the following line into the file (followed by at least one carriage return if this is the last line

of the file): esri_sde 5151/tcp #Esri ArcSDE server

Note: This step is not mandatory since you can type "5151" for the service in step 3, instead of

"esri_sde". However, entering the number will not allow you to access Layer files (see XXX). Therefore,

modifying this file is considered quite important.

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STEP 3A:

CONNECTING WITH ARCGIS 10.0 OR EARLIER

If you are connecting with version 10.1 or later, skip to Step 3b.

1. Launch ArcCatalog and double-click on “Database Connections.”

2. Double-click “Add Spatial Database Connection” and complete the form as indicated in Figure 1.

a. Using "esri_sde" for the service entry is preferred over "5151". See Step 2, above.

b. Use SDE_guest as the password for sdeclient

3. Click “Test Connection”.

Note: a successful test connection gives no real indication short of a lack of error messages.

4. Click “OK” to establish the connection.

After establishing a connection it is useful to rename the generated link with a more intuitive name. For

example, logging on as an sdeclient to the sdeaoc database using default settings could be renamed

“sdeclient@sdeaoc@default.sde” (cf. Error! Reference source not found. for a similar example).

Figure 1. Making your connection to SDE in ArcCatalog.

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Additional Information

Note: The user sdeclient (password: SDE_guest) can view geospatial data stored in the sdeaoc database,

but not add to the database or edit data stored in the database.

STEP 3B:

CONNECTING WITH ARCGIS 10.1 OR LATER

If you have already made a connection using 10.0 or earlier, skip this step.

You must connect using the “Create ArcSDE Connection File” tool found in ArcToolbox—DATA

MANAGEMENT TOOLS—WORKSPACE---CREATE ARCSDE CONNECTION FILE. An example

connection is shown below:

Figure 2. Re-naming an established connection.

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Once created as shown above, the connection file may be easier for users to locate as it can be placed in

their normal workspace (see below)

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SECTION 3: ARCSDE LAYERS

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AOC_ASPECT SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_ASP

The Area of Concern’s aspect model using an 80 meter

spatial resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The

aspect model was created using ArcGIS.

Data type: Raster

AOC_BOUNDARY SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_BOUNDARY

The Area of Concern’s boundary perimeter, covering

part of the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah,

and Nevada.

Data type: Vector

AOC_COUNTIES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_COUNTIES

County boundaries within the perimeter of the Area of

Concern for the states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming,

Utah, Nevada, and Colorado.

Data type: Vector

AOC_ELEVATION SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_ELEV

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Area of

Concern with 80 meter spatial resolution.

See layer file called AOC_Topography on page 20.

Data type: Vector

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AOC_FIRES_10YR SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_FIRES_10YR

Indicates where fires have burned over the past 10 years.

Data type: Raster

AOC_FIRES_36_06R SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_FIRES_3606R

Indicates where fires have burned from 1936 to 2006.

Data type: Raster

AOC_FIRES_36_06 SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_FIRES_36_06

Indicates where fires have burned from 1936 to 2006.

Data type: Vector

AOC_GRAZINLAND SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_GRAZINGLAND

Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service,

and National Park Service grazing allotments for

Southeast Idaho within the Area of Concern.

Data type: Vector

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AOC_GRAZINGLAND_NEW SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_GRAZINGLAND_NEW

Bureau of Land Management, National Forest Service,

and National Park Service grazing allotments for

Idaho.

Data type: Vector

AOC_HILLSHADE SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_HS

The Area of Concern’s hillshade model derived from

Slope and aspect models created in ArcGIS with 80

meter spatial resolution.

See layer file called AOC_Topography on page 20.

Data type: Raster

AOC_IDAHO_WATERSHEDS SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_IDAHO_WATERSHEDS

Hydrologic Units (HUC’s) for Southeast Idaho within

the Area of Concern.

Data Type: Vector

AOC_LAKES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_LAKES

Lakes and various bodies of water for Southeast Idaho

within the Area of Concern

Data Type: Vector

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AOC_PLSS_SECTIONS SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_PLSS_SECTIONS

Public Land Survey System’s (PLSS) Township and

Range grid for Southeast Idaho within the Area of

Concern.

Data type: Vector

AOC_ PUBLIC_LANDS SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_PUBLIC_LANDS

Public land owned by the Bureau of Land Management,

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Energy,

The National Forest Service, the Military, National Parks

And Monuments, private owners, the State of Idaho, and

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Southeast Idaho

within the Area of Concern.

Data type: Vector

AOC_QUADRANGLES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_QUADRAGLES

7.5 minute USGS Quadrangles for the Area of Concern.

Data type: Vector

AOC_RIVERS SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_RIVERS

Rivers and streams found within the perimeter of the

Area of Concern.

Data Type: Vector

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AOC_ROADS SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_ROADS

Roads in Southeast Idaho found within the perimeter

of the Area of Concern

Data Type: Vector

AOC_SLOPE_DEGREE SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_SLPD

Slope model in degrees derived from an 80 meter pixel

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in ArcGIS for the Area

of Concern.

Data type: Raster

AOC_SLOPE_PERCENT SDEAOC.SDEMGR.AOC_SLPP

Slope model in percent derived from an 80 meter pixel

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in ArcGIS for the Area

of Concern.

Data type: Raster

AOC_STATES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.aoc_states

The boundaries for the states of Idaho, Montana,

Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. These states have some

part within the perimeter of the Area of Concern.

Data Type: Vector

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AOC_UTMZONES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.aoc_utmzones

Zones 11, 12, and 13 of the Universal Transverse

Mercator projection that are within the Area of Concern.

Data Type: Vector

BIG_LOST_RIVER_2000 SDEAOC.SDEMGR.BIG _LOST_RIVER_2000

The current course of the Big Lost River.

Data Type: Vector

BIG_LOST_RIVER_BRAIDED SDEAOC.SDEMGR.BIG_LOST_RIVER_BRAIDED

Big Lost River with associated tributaries.

Data Type: Vector

FSA_ASPECT SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_ASPECT

The Focused Study Area’s aspect model using a 27

meter resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The

aspect model was calculated in ArcGIS.

Data Type: Raster

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FSA_ELEVATION SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_ELEV_1

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Focused Study

Area with 27 meter spatial resolution.

See layer file FSA_Topography on page 20.

Data Type: Raster

FSA_HILLSHADE SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_HS

The Focused Study Area’s hillshade model derived from

Slope and aspect models created in ArcGIS with 27

meter spatial resolution.

See layer file FSA_Topography on page 20.

Data Type: Raster

FSAREA_QUADRANGLES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_QUADRANGLES

7.5 minute USGS Quadrangles for the Focused Study

Area.

Data Type: Vector

FSA_SLOPE_DEGREE SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_SLPD

Slope model in degrees derived from a 27 meter pixel

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in ArcGIS for the

Focused Study Area.

Data Type: Raster

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FSA_SLOPE_PERCENT SDEAOC.SDEMGR.FSA_SLPP

Slope model in percent derived from a 27 meter pixel

Digital Elevation Model (DEM) in ArcGIS for the

Focused Study Area.

Data Type: Raster

IDAHO_CITIES

SDEAOC.SDEMGR.IDAHO_CITIES

Cities within the state of Idaho

Data Type: Vector

IDAHO_POPULATED_PLACES

SDEAOC.SDEMGR.IDAHO_POPULATED_PLACES

Populated places within the state of Idaho

Data Type: Vector

IDAHO_PRECIPITATION SDEAOC.SDEMGR.IDAHO_PRECIPITATION

Recorded precipitation in inches within the state

Idaho.

Date Type: Vector

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INL_BOUNDARY SDEAOC.SDEMGR.INL_BOUNDARY

The perimeter of the Idaho National Engineering and

Environment Laboratory (INEEL).

Data Type: Vector

LANDSAT_FOOTPRINT SDEAOC.SDEMGR.LANDSAT_FOOTPRINT

The path and row flight lines for the Landsat satellite.

Displays paths 38, 39, and 40 and rows 29, 30, and 31.

Data Type: Vector

SNAKE_RIVER SDEAOC.SDEMGR.SNAKE_RIVER

The length of the Snake River as it crosses the width of

Idaho.

Data Type: Vector

SNAKE_RIVER_PLAIN SDEAOC.SDEMGR.SNAKE_RIVER_PLAIN

The area or valley that the Snake River runs through.

Data Type: Vector

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SECTION 4: LAYER FILES

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USING ARCSDE LAYER FILES

Ideally, layer files are meant to load all layers involved automatically. This does not

always happen. Sometimes the layer file loses its data source information, as indicated by the

red exclamation point in a grayed out box next to the layer file. To fix this, follow these

instructions:

1) Right click on the layer that has the red exclamation point. Select Properties. See

Fig. 1

2) Under properties, find the Source tab. Click Set Data Source. 3) Browse to your SDE connection and find the file that corresponds to that layer. See

Fig. 2.

4) Repeat the above steps until all layers are fully displayed.

If this problem occurs often, check your service and host files under

C:\WINNT\System32\drivers\etc to see if they have been updated to support the ArcSDE

service. If you are not sure how to check these files or if these files are not updated, follow the

Connecting to ArcSDE instructions found on page 6 of this booklet.

Figure 1: Opening Layer Properties Figure 2: Finding the SDE Layer

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FSA_TOPOGRAPHY FSA_Topography.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) containing the topography

of the Focus Study Area. It is comprised of the Focus

Study Area’s Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and the

Focus Study Area’s hillshade model. These models are

overlaid one another to describe the area’s topography.

ArcMap Layer File

AOC_TOPOGRAPHY AOC_Topography.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) containing the topography

Of the Area of Concern. It is comprised of the Area of

Concern’s Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and the Area

of Concern’s hillshade model. These models are

overlaid one another to describe the area’s topography.

ArcMap Layer File

FSA_DRG_NORTHEAST FSA_DRG_NORTHEAST.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) displaying mosaic of Digital

Raster Graphics (DRG) for the northeast corner of the

Focus Study Area.

ArcMap Layer File

FSA_DRG_NORTHWEST FSA_DRG_NORTHWEST.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) displaying the mosaic of Digital

Raster Graphics (DRG) for the north west corner of the

Focus Study Area.

ArcMap Layer File

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FSA_DRG_SOUTHEAST FSA_DRG_SOUTHEAST.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) displaying the mosaic of Digital

Raster Graphics (DRG) for the southeast corner of the

Focus Study Area.

ArcMap Layer File

FSA_DRG_SOUTHWEST FSA_DRG_SOUTHWEST.lyr

An ArcMap Layer file (.lyr) displaying the mosaic of Digital

Raster Graphics (DRG) for the southwest corner of the

Focus Study Area.

ArcMap Layer File

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SECTION 5: RESEARCH FEATURE DATASET

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WHAT IS A FEATURE DATASET?

“A feature dataset is equivalent to a directory or a folder in a computer operating system. It is

used to help organize the data into a logical structure. It can contain feature classes and

relationship classes, but not tables.”

University of Arizona Knowledge Base Website,

http://ag.arizona.edu/art/kb/geodb/geo_info.html

WHAT IS A FEATURE CLASS?

“Feature classes in geodatabases are collections of features with the same type of geometry. If

several feature classes share some spatial coincidence and a common spatial reference, they can

be inserted into a feature dataset.”

Colin Childs, Migrating Coverages to Geodatabases, ArcUser, July to September, 2001

WHAT’S INSIDE THE RESEARCH FEATURE DATASET

YEAR 2XXX FIELD SAMPLES SDEAOC.SDEMGR.Y2xx_Field_Samples

Within the Research feature dataset are point feature classes

describing field sample points taken from 2000 to the present. In

addition, relationship classes have been created that allow the user

to automatically access related data in ArcGIS without the need to

create joins and links. Examples of these additional data are

vegetation details, fire history, grazing, and sagebrush sampling

details.

To view a detailed model of the Research Feature Dataset, visit

http://giscenter.isu.edu/spatial_library/SDE/Model/root.html (then

open the "main" window under the fully expanded "<<Feature

Dataset>> Research").