Exercise 3: Attach, create a backup of, and upgrade a geodatabase

Available with Standard or Advanced license.

Complexity:

Beginner

Data Requirement:

ArcGIS Tutorial Data for Desktop

Goal:

Attach a geodatabase to a database server, create a backup of it, then upgrade the geodatabase to match the ArcGIS for Desktop release.

It is possible to move geodatabases by detaching them from one database server, copying them to a new location, and attaching them to a different database server. This could be useful for such things as delivering data to a consultant or client; setting up a new database server on a new computer and moving your geodatabases; or moving data through different stages of a project, with each stage being completed by a different person or department in your organization.

For this exercise, assume a consultant has done the initial data creation for you and has sent you the database file so you can attach it to your database server and edit it. In this case, the consultant used an older release of ArcGIS to create the geodatabase. Therefore, after you attach the geodatabase, you will make a backup of it, then upgrade it.

Attach an existing geodatabase

You will attach a geodatabase, buildings08, to your database server. This geodatabase contains data for different types of buildings on Osokopf Island.

1. Start ArcMap, open the Catalog window, and expand the Database Servers folder in the Catalog tree.
2. In the Catalog tree, right-click the database server and click Attach.
3. In the Attach Geodatabase dialog box, click the ellipsis button (...).
4. Browse to the DatabaseServers tutorial folder (C:\ArcGIS\ArcTutor\DatabaseServers).
5. Choose the buildings08.mdf file and click OK.
6. Click OK on the Attach Geodatabase dialog box.

The buildings08 geodatabase is now listed under the database server in the Catalog tree.

As indicated, the buildings geodatabase already contains data. However, this geodatabase is an older release.

Make a backup of the new geodatabase

Before you upgrade the geodatabase or make any edits to it, you should create a backup of it. That way, if you decide you need the geodatabase back in its original state, you will have a backup file.

1. In the Catalog window, right-click the buildings08 geodatabase, point to Administration, then click Backup.
2. Type buildings_bu1 in the Backup name text box.
3. You could back up the geodatabase to the default location but, instead, back up the geodatabase to your tutorial folder, DatabaseServers. Type the path in the Backup to folder text box.

   For example, type C:\ArcGIS\ArcTutor\DatabaseServers.

   Note:

   In a production environment, you should move copies of your backup files to another server or media. For the purposes of this tutorial, though, you can leave the file on the local drive.

4. In the Description text box, type Initial state of buildings08 geodatabase.
5. Click OK.

This has created an image of the geodatabase and its contents as they were at the time of the backup. The backup images that are created are full copies of the database. When you run subsequent backups, you can create a new backup file or overwrite the old one.

Geodatabase backups should be created after changes are made in the geodatabase. That way, if the geodatabase gets corrupted or accidentally deleted, you won’t lose all your edits. Or if erroneous edits are made, you can go back to the state of the data as it existed at the last backup.

Upgrade the geodatabase

This geodatabase was created with ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1. To use current functionality, you will upgrade the geodatabase.

1. Right-click the buildings08 geodatabase in the Catalog window and click Properties.
2. Click the General tab of the Geodatabase Properties dialog box.
3. Click the Upgrade Geodatabase button to open the Upgrade Geodatabase geoprocessing tool.
The Input Geodatabase text box is automatically populated with the geodatabase connection information.
4. Leave both the Perform Pre-Requisite Check and Upgrade Geodatabase options checked.
5. Click OK to start the upgrade.

   The progress window opens. Messages are displayed as the tool performs the checks and the upgrade. If the upgrade fails, review these messages to discover why.

6. When the upgrade completes successfully, close the dialog box.

   Notice that the description under the Upgrade Status section of the General tab has changed, and the Upgrade Geodatabase button is inactive.

Tip:

If the status information does not update, close the Geodatabase Properties dialog box and reopen it.

7. Click OK to close the Geodatabase Properties dialog box.

Rename a field

Since the data was created by a consultant, check to see what properties the data has. You'll find that some of the field names could be changed and aliases created.

1. Expand the buildings08 geodatabase.
2. Right-click the utilities feature class and click Properties.

   The Feature Class Properties dialog box opens.

3. If it is not already active, click the General tab.
4. Type Utilities in the Alias text box.
5. Click the Fields tab.
6. Rename the util_addre field to util_address.
   1. Double-click the util_addre text in the Field Name column.
   2. Delete the existing text and type util_address.
7. For the util_address alias, type Address.
8. Click Apply.
9. If you want to, click the other tabs to see what information is available. Click OK to close the Feature Class Properties dialog box when you are done.
10. Open the Feature Class Properties for the schools feature class and rename the sch_addres field to sch_address.
11. Choose the sch_type field and set its alias to School Type.
12. Click OK to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

You have attached a geodatabase to the database server, made a backup copy of it, upgraded to the current ArcGIS release, and renamed fields in feature classes. Now you proceed to Exercise 4 to add users to the database server and grant them permissions.

Feedback on this topic?