Making an ArcSDE service connection from ArcGIS

Use the Create ArcSDE Connection File geoprocessing tool or a Python script to connect to an enterprise geodatabase using an ArcSDE service.

The following steps explain how to connect to an enterprise geodatabase using an ArcSDE service:

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap or ArcCatalog.
2. Open the Create ArcSDE Connection File geoprocessing tool.

   The Create ArcSDE Connection File tool is in the Workspace toolset of the Data Management toolbox.

3. Browse to the location where you want the connection file to be created to populate the ArcSDE Connection File Location text box.
4. Type a name for the connection file.

   The file name must include the .sde file extension.

5. In the Server text box, type the name of the server where ArcSDE is installed.
6. Type the port number of the ArcSDE service in the Service text box.
7. Depending on which database management system you use, type the following in the Database text box:
   • DB2: Type the alias of the DB2 database that contains your geodatabase.
   • Informix: Type the Open Database Connectivity data source name for the Informix database that contains your geodatabase.
   • Oracle: Do not type anything in the Database text box.
   • PostgreSQL: Type the name of the PostgreSQL database that contains your geodatabase.
   • SQL Server: Type the name of the SQL Server database that contains your geodatabase.
8. If you want to connect to a geodatabase in SQL Server using an operating system authenticated login, uncheck Database authentication; otherwise, leave this option checked.
9. If Database authentication is checked, type the name of the valid database user in the Username text box.
10. If Database authentication is checked, type the password of the database user in the Password text box.
11. If you want the user and password information stored with the ArcSDE connection file, check Save username and password.

    If this is unchecked, you will be prompted to provide the user name and password each time you connect using this connection file.

12. If you want to connect to a version other than DEFAULT, type the name of the geodatabase version in The following transactional version will be used text box.
13. If you want to connect to that version the next time you use the connection file, check Save the transactional version name with the connection file.

An ArcSDE connection file is created in the location you specified.