Migrating from ArcInfo Workstation Network

Migrating from ArcInfo Workstation to a geodatabase-based network involves the following steps:

  1. Create a personal or file geodatabase.

    Learn more about creating geodatabases

    Optionally, you can create an enterprise geodatabase or choose an existing geodatabase.
  2. Create a feature dataset with the same spatial reference as the coverage.

    Learn more about creating feature datasets

    Optionally, you can import the coverage into an existing feature dataset.
  3. Import the coverage into a feature class within the feature dataset.

    Learn more about importing feature classes

    If you have multiple coverages that you want to use as sources, you should import all of them into feature classes within the same feature dataset.
  4. Inspect the geometry of the feature class.

    To perform network analysis, the network source should have vertices at every intersecting edge. This is essential for establishing connectivity. If you have lines intersecting each other with no vertex at the intersection, there is no connectivity at that intersection. You can modify the source data before beginning migration. Alternately, you can modify the feature class in ArcMap to ensure that coincident vertices are present where required. One option is to have the feature class participate in a topology to insert vertices at places of intersection. Another option is to use the Integrate tool to snap nearby vertices together.

  5. Inspect the attribute table of the feature class.

    You need a cost attribute in your network dataset for performing network analysis. You can use a length or time field to create a cost attribute. This cost attribute can be used as an impedance for network analysis.

    Learn more about the types of evaluators used by a network

  6. Optionally, you can import ArcInfo turn tables (if any) into turn feature classes that can be used in the network dataset.

    Learn about migrating turn data

  7. Prepare the design for the network dataset.

    It is essential to understand the various components of a network dataset and prepare a design of the network. This includes modeling connectivity and thinking about network attributes and their evaluators.

    Learn more about designing the network dataset

  8. Create the geodatabase-based network dataset.

    This creates the schema for the network dataset.

    Learn more about creating a network dataset

  9. Build the network dataset.

    Building a network dataset involves the creation of network elements from the sources, establishment of connectivity, calculation of network attributes, and the setting of properties for directions.

3/25/2015