An ArcGIS portal can be implemented either through ArcGIS Online (the cloud-based version) or Portal for ArcGIS (an on-premise installation). Both provide a web-based interface for accessing and sharing enterprise mapping applications and data. The document discusses various architectures and authentication methods for setting up a portal, including using a virtual private network and integrating with Active Directory. It also outlines three approaches for using a portal: manually registering services, federating with ArcGIS Server, or designating the portal as a hosted server.
3. Computing Portal
A Web portal or public portal refers to a Web site or service that offers a broad
array of resources and services, such as e-mail, forums, search engines, and
online shopping malls. The first Web portals were online services, such as AOL, that
provided access to the Web, but by now most of the traditional search engines
have transformed themselves into Web portals to attract and keep a larger
audience.
An enterprise portal is a Web-based interface for users of enterprise applications.
Enterprise portals also provide access to enterprise information such as corporate
databases, applications (including Web applications), and systems.
4. Use of the word Portal
~1994: AOL becomes a Portal
…a web site or service that offers a broad array of resources and services,
such as e-mail, forums, search engines, and online shopping malls.
5. Enterprise Mapping Portal
Enterprise portals cover all areas of business
Mapping Portals were a logical evolution of GIS
7. ArcGIS Meets Portal
Portal for ArcGIS simply moves Web GIS onto Your Infrastructure
8. The Importance of Capitalization
Upper Case Portal = Portal for ArcGIS
Lower case portal = ArcGIS Online
(or lack thereof)
An ArcGIS portal is a web-based interface for users of enterprise
mapping applications and/or informational products. An ArcGIS
portal may be used via Esri’s software as a service (SAAS) offering
called ArcGIS Online or fully on-premise via a local installation of the
Portal for ArcGIS product.
The intent and usage of an ArcGIS portal are the same either way.
9. Why All the Talk About Portal?
Portal is the technology by which most GIS data will
be served up and consumed in the future.
Really?
Let’s talk for a
moment about
why I say this.
10. The Utility Network is Coming
The utility network is Esri’s new network for managing
connected electric, gas, & water facilities.
In Alpha right now, SSP has been testing & providing
feedback (sworn to secrecy)
Many new benefits including non-coincident connectivity,
structural associations, and containment modeling….
Editing of utility network will occur natively in ArcGIS Pro
SSP-Sponsored
Pre-Conference Workshop at EGUG
11. Utility Network Runs on Fairy Dust
Where Fairy Dust = Portal Web Services!
The Alpha version currently runs off direct connect to GDB
BUT the final release will run off of REST End Points
Increased Performance
Centralized Data Access
Also Available to WebMaps,
Runtime,
Third Party Integration
In my humble opinion, it will be a while before you use
the Utility Network in a production system
But educate and prepare yourselves for the road ahead
12. Related Sidebar
1. Upgrade to ArcGIS Desktop 10.2.1
Esri will support this version until the Utility Network is ready
Schneider will follow the leadership of Esri
Significant Performance Improvements
Optionally Feeder Manager 2.0
Major Conflict Management Improvements
Esri Utility Patches
Schneider 10.2.1b
This only applies to Desktop/GDB, not to Server/Platform
The point is, utility network is not going to be ready in time for you to
have a roadmap that excludes 10.2.1.
What Should We Do to Prepare for the Road Ahead
13. Related Sidebar
2. Implement a GIS portal
Our topic for today!
ArcGIS Online (lower case p)
Portal for ArcGIS (upper case p)
Introduces key future concepts to the utility:
Web Services
Named Users
Operational Patterns: Expose, Collect, Empower
A GIS portal has major operational benefits to your utility today AND it
creates the bridge between the geodatabase and ArcGIS Pro.
Embrace a portal today to minimize change in the future.
What Should We Do to Prepare for the Road Ahead
14. Related Sidebar
3. Begin Using ArcGIS Pro
Pro will be the primary editing environment for the Utility
Network, ArcMap cannot be used
However, Pro cannot edit the geometric network we use today
We CAN use Pro for analysis, visualization, & content sharing
ArcGIS Pro is directly tied to a GIS portal
Licenses are administered via your portal
Login / data usage is tied directly to your portal
Runs natively off of WebMaps / REST Services
Your ArcFM data can be used via services today
ArcGIS Pro will become very important to utilities in the future. Change
management can be embraced early by starting adoption today. At least
to start getting familiar with the application within the GIS department.
What Should We Do to Prepare for the Road Ahead
15. Administering ArcGIS Pro Licenses
Licenses assigned in portal to a named user within your
organization.
Standard or Advanced required for Utility Network
17. Architecture – ArcGIS Online
SSP’s minimal recommended architecture benefits
Fully secured via ssl (https)
At ArcGIS Server (6443)
At Web Adaptor (443)
Can store ArcGIS Server credentials in ArcGIS Online
REST endpoints fully available to internet
Any authorized device can access via internet
Full editing available via proxy
_
18. Architecture – ArcGIS Online
SSP’s simplified architecture with VPN
1.
2. 3. No Security
Required
4.
5. VPN Client Req’d
• HTTP or HTTPS
• Cannot Store Creds
19. Architecture – ArcGIS Online
SSP’s simple architecture with VPN benefits
Less need for security because no internet exposure
Editing now works with latest versions of ArcGIS Online
Proxy no longer required
Possible Issues
Cannot store ArcGIS Server credentials in ArcGIS Online
Possible Solution = leave the credentials off the REST endpoints (only available in
back office)
REST endpoints are NOT available to internet
Must have VPN on all internet clients
20. ArcGIS Online - Authentication
Local Named User Storage in ArcGIS Online
Dedicated Username and Password
Must manage separate password for these accounts
Easiest to Configure
No need for ArcGIS Online to Access Internal LDAP
No LDAP / Active Directory Tie In
No Single Sign On
From an Authorization
Perspective, can still Authorize
REST services with AD
ArcGIS Online Authentication
21. ArcGIS Online - Authentication
LDAP / Active Directory User Tied to Named Users
Everyone Loves Single Sign On
BUT, It’s proven Challenging to Configure via SAML
Must expose an Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) Endpoint to the Internet
Must load the XML Metadata from ADFS into ArcGIS Online
Must generate and load XML Metadata from ArcGIS Online back into ADFS
Creates a Trusted Handshake Between the Systems
Most utilities have not been able to support the SAML Authentication requirements
ArcGIS Online Authentication
22. Architecture – Portal for ArcGIS
SSP’s recommended Portal architecture
1.
2.
3. Full Portal
4.
5.
6.
7.
23. Architecture – Portal of ArcGIS
SSP’s recommended architecture benefits
Fully secured via ssl (https)
At ArcGIS Server (6443)
At Portal (7443)
At Web Adaptor (443)
All Authenticated Components Behind the Firewall
Active Directory Can More Easily Be Used for User Authentication
Though not required
Full Portal Access via the Internet
Any authorized device can access via internet
Full editing available
_
24. Architecture – Portal for ArcGIS
SSP’s Portal architecture with VPN
1.
2.
3. Full Portal
w/Web Adaptor
4.
5.
25. Architecture – Portal of ArcGIS
SSP’s recommended VPN architecture benefits
Fully secured via ssl (https) – Portal Runs with HTTPS Regardless
At ArcGIS Server (6443)
At Portal (7443)
At Web Adaptor (443)
Authenticated Components Behind the Firewall
Active Directory Can More Easily Be Used for User Authentication
Though not required
Full Portal Access via the Back Office & VPN
Must have VPN on all Internet clients
Full editing available
_
26. Portal of ArcGIS - Authentication
Can use the built-in user store
Locally defined users with unique passwords (identical to ArcGIS Online)
Can use LDAP / AD for Authentication
Portal runs on a server associated with Active Directory
Can therefore more easily use AD authentication
Simple JSON configuration using a system AD account for access
Configure Windows Authentication at the IIS Level
Allows for standard AD challenge at the website level, pass-through to Portal
27. 3 Approaches to Using Portal
1. Registering REST Services Manually
This is how ArcGIS Online Works
Publish MXD to REST Service Copy and Paste the REST URL into Portal
If secured, save credentials with the Service Item
Add Service Items to WebMap
Loosely Coupled
28. 3 Approaches to Using Portal
2. Federating ArcGIS Server via Portal
Switch your ArcGIS Server Authentication to utilize Portal
Both Server and Portal use the SAME identity store (both use AD)
All Authentication to Server requires a Portal token
Portal essentially owns your ArcGIS Server
When users publish MXDs to Server Automatic Creation of Service Items in Portal
Simplifies the publishing process
Can define portal metadata, sharing, etc. within MXD publishing process
Keeps items in sync between Server and Portal
Server and Portal MUST be the same release
29. 3 Approaches to Using Portal
3. Designating Portal as a Hosted Server
Similar to Federation but Portal now has a Dedicated Geodatabase
Allows Portal to host data just like ArcGIS Online does
Requires adding a “managed” data store to ArcGIS Server
Publishers or Admins in Portal can add hosted feature services
Upload a file GDB, shapefiles, CSV, etc.
Mapping / Feature services can be created automatically
Can also use with Esri Maps for Apps (ex. Excel can upload data to Portal via Maps for Office)
Server and Portal MUST be the same release
MUST be federated and MUST have a managed geodatabase configured
NOTE: You can have multiple federated servers with Portal but only one hosted server
30. So when to use each?
Both portals render similar Web GIS functionality when fully
implemented:
Service Items
WebMaps
Web Applications
Use of native iOS and Android Apps
Data sharing
Data collection
Named User Model
So when should we use ArcGIS Online vs. Portal for ArcGIS?
31. Portal for ArcGIS
Portal provides Significant Value @ Significant Cost
Key Pros:
Fully On-Premise for Data AND Software Solution
Significantly Easier Integration with Active Directory (no ADFS required)
Federation Is a Nice-to-Have
Allows you to own the entire solution
Key Cons:
Additional Hardware Likely Required to Scale the Solution
Additional Project Cost for Install, Configure, Secure
Higher Support Costs for Patches, Upgrades, General Server Support/Knowledge
Summary = Higher Total Cost of Ownership
32. ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online Includes Most Portal Functionality w/Out Setup
Key Pros:
Full SAAS Offering
Data Maintained Securely On-Premise
Esri Handles Quarterly Releases, Support, Patches Updates
No additional project cost for install, configure, secure
Lower support costs
Summary = Lower Total Cost of Ownership
Key Cons:
Challenging Integration with Active Directory Requiring ADFS
Heard of Some Performance Scaling Issues for Very Large Customers
33. Who wins in your fight?
The decision will vary by utility based on your requirements
I believe it comes down to the importance of authentication & money
All things being equal, we recommend using ArcGIS Online whenever
possible due to better benefits and a lower total cost of ownership.
34. Portal vs. ArcGIS Online
When, Why & How to Install Each
Questions?
Skye Perry
skye.perry@sspinnovations.com
www.sspinnovations.com | @SSPInnovations on Twitter | www.slideshare.net/sspinnovations