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ESRI GIS at UVa

ArcInfo

Overview

ArcGIS is a family of software products that form a complete Geographical Information System (GIS). ArcInfo, which includes all capabilities of ArcView as well as additional features, is the core collection of applications that provides data visualization, query, analysis, and integration capabilities along with the ability to create and edit simple geographic features. Several specialized extensions may be installed in conjunction with ArcInfo.

In addition to providing all the capabilities of ArcView, ArcInfo allows creation and editing of multiuser geodatabases and coverages. If you want the classic user interface (ARC, ARCEDIT, ARCPLOT, AML, etc.) then you can install ArcInfo 9.1 under a floating network license.

More information about ArcInfo is available on the ESRI ArcInfo website.

ArcInfo Suite

The ArcInfo Suite is an integrated geographic information system (GIS) consisting of several elements. The two primary components are ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Workstation. The ArcGIS Desktop includes three applications:

  • ArcMap
  • ArcCatalog
  • ArcToolbox

ArcMap is the application central to ArcGIS Desktop. It is used for all map-based tasks which may include cartography, map analysis, and editing.

ArcCatalog is a tool for organizing your GIS data, and includes tools for browsing and finding geographic information, recording and viewing metadata, quickly viewing any dataset, and defining the schema structure for your geographic data layers.

ArcToolbox contains many of the tools used for geoprocessing. Two versions of ArcToolbox are available. The first is accessible when using ArcInfo while the other is available when using ArcView or ArcEditor. The ArcInfo version of ArcToolbox contains all the tools while the ArcView/ArcEditor version has fewer tools.

ArcGIS Desktop's Functional Product Levels

The ArcGIS Desktop can be accessed using three software products, each with an increase in functionality:

  • ArcView
  • ArcEditor
  • ArcInfo

ArcView 9.1 is a suite of applications including ArcMap, ArcCatalog, and ArcToolbox described above and may be most appropriate for EDS users just getting started with ArcGIS applications available in the ArcGIS Desktop. ArcView 9.1 is functionally equivalent to ArcView GIS 3.x. Users can import their ArcView GIS 3. apr and .avl files into ArcView 9.1. ArcView 9.1 is distributed to faculty and staff only.

ArcEditor includes all the funtionality of the features available in ArcView with some additional advanced editing capabilities for coverages and geodatabases. ArcEditor is not distributed at UVA since all of its features are part of the ArcInfo suite of products.

ArcInfo expands upon the funtionality of both ArcView and ArcEditor to allow advanced geoprocessing as well as polygon processing. The ArcInfo Workstation includes the classic workstation applications and capabilities such as Arc, ARCPLOT, ARCEDIT, and more.

Understanding ESRI's Arc Family Naming Conventions

The naming conventions for ESRI’s Arc family of software can be a little confusing to the new user. By ArcInfo we mean the ArcInfo Desktop plus the ArcInfo Workstation ArcGIS environment for Windows. Selecting to perform a complete installation ensures that the user has the maximum set of tools for ESRI products available at UVa. A complete installation of ArcInfo includes all capabilities of ArcView and more. During the course of installing ArcInfo you may optionally choose to install additional ArcGIS Desktop Extensions and tutorial material. Both of these are highly recommended. On the other hand, the Desktop Developer Kit or Crystal Reports are ESRI products which are rarely requested at UVa and their installation will require additional installation media/steps. Please let us know at Research Computing by phone or email if you anticipate a need for either of these products.

Availability

ArcInfo 9.1 may be used by faculty, staff, and students under UVa’s site license. There are two ways to license this product:

  • Install ArcInfo 9.1 under the floating network license and use ssh tunneling or the VPN client, or
  • Install ArcInfo 9.1 in a standalone situation by purchasing a hardware key or dongle from Research Computing.

Some of the ArcGIS products are available in the GIS build on the UVa Hive where software is delivered virtually.

Contact Research Computing Support in the Scholars' Lab with your requirements if you need help determining the best option for your situation.

Installation Instructions

  • Review the minimum system requirements.
  • Visit the licensing database for the license agreement and further information for this software.
  • Temporarily halt all running software, including antivirus software.
  • ArcInfo 8.x and 9.0 users — Before installing ArcGIS 9.1, you must uninstall ArcGIS Desktop from Add/Remove programs.
  • Be prepared to make a note of any error message and its number that you may receive during the course of installation. Please contact Research Computing with this information. A short paragraph or two describing the topic for the site and the most important information pertaining to it.

Steps in installing ArcInfo 9.1

  1. Insert the Desktop CD first. Select Install ArcGISDesktop.
    a
    You will see a message box; please wait.
    c
  2. You may review the Install Guide before proceeding. However, please be aware that installation under the license manager at UVa requires information unavailable in this Install Guide, and you are required to register in the licensing database and follow the installation process below. Click on Next to proceed.
    d
  3. Choose to accept the license agreement and click Next.
    e
  4. Select Define the License Manager later and click Next. f
  5. Choose ArcInfo and click Next.
    g
  6. Choose Complete in order to install extensions, then choose Next. h
  7. The window displays the default folder for installing the application. Click Next.
    i
  8. Clicking Next begins the installation.
    j
  9. Installation may take several minutes. Please be patient.
    k
  10. Click Finish to complete this portion of the installation.
    l
  11. You will be prompted to install additional components. Unless you have obtained additional CDs from Research Computing, deselect these three options.
    m
  12. Insert the CD for ArcInfo Workstation CD #1. Select to install ArcGIS for individual use then click on Next.
    n
  13. Choose to Setup the License Manager later and click on Next.
    o
    Wait a few minutes while the software prepares for installation.
    b
  14. Click on Next to proceed.
    p
  15. Accept the license agreement and click on Next.
    q
  16. As with the Desktop installation, select Complete to install all extensions. Click on Next.
    r
  17. In most installations there is no need to change the default destination folder. Click on Next.
    s
  18. In most installations there is no need to change the default workspace folder. Click on Next.
    t
  19. Click Next to begin installation.
    u
    You may need to wait several minutes while the features are installed.
    v
  20. Insert the second Workstation CD (third CD in all) and click OK to continue.
    w
  21. When completed, click on Finish.
    x
  22. Before you proceed, be sure that your antivirus and firewall software are enabled for Internet use. Enable your network connection. On the main Windows menu, select Desktop Administrator under ArcGIS. You will still need to have Administrator privileges to perform these tasks.
    y
  23. Select License Manager, click on Change and enter the license server name obtained from the licensing database, then click on OK. If you have problems accessing the license manager, you should also make sure that ArcInfo Desktop (floating) is selected under Availability. If you are installing on an on-Grounds machine, please verify that you have a working Internet connection and that you have not set the Windows firewall to block any ArcGIS application.
    If your installation is on an off-Grounds machine, then you must additionally set up ssh tunneling.
    z
  24. Service Packs and/or patches may available for ArcInfo, and you are advised to install them. The latest patches may be downloaded from http://support.esri.com/index.cfm?fa=downloads.gateway. You should be able to use the ESRI software. Contact Research Computing Support at 243-8800 or by email to res-consult@Virginia.EDU if you have any questions or problems.

Getting Help

ITS handles the contract and licensing of the software and any administrative matters with ESRI. Questions or concerns about ESRI administrative matters, software distribution, etc. should be emailed to ESRI-Consult.

GIS training is available through the Virtual Campus, a Web resource produced by the ESRI company. Virtual Campus offers numerous self-paced courses on ESRI software users can download, then work with the website to hone their knowledge. For eligible academic users, the site is free of charge, but you must register.

Access the Helpsheets for new ESRI products in PDF format.

If you're having any further difficulties please email res-consult@virginia.edu or call Research Computing Support at the Scholars' Lab at 243-8800.

Page Updated: 2012-02-16

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