Full Guide: FME Flow Troubleshooting Guide
Introduction
To read and write from ArcGIS-dependent formats, like Enterprise Geodatabase (ArcSDE), or to execute ArcPy, FME Flow requires that ArcGIS Server software be installed and licensed on the same machine.
Connecting FME Flow to ArcGIS Server
ArcGIS Server must be installed and licensed on the same machine as the FME Flow Engine Service. The ArcGIS version must be compatible with the FME version: Notes on FME and Esri Versions and Compatibility. It is not necessary to create a new site or join an existing site. No additional configuration steps are required.
If you have distributed Engine hosts, ArcGIS Server must be installed on every host. Alternatively, you can use Queue Control to route jobs in Esri formats to run on a specific engine host. For more information on using job routing for your Esri-dependent workflows, please see Guide to Manage Esri Jobs using Queue Control.
Connecting to Esri Applications from FME Flow without a license
An ArcGIS Server license is required to connect with the following Esri Geodatabase formats:
- ArcSDE Geodb
- File Geodb*
- Personal Geodb
*Except File Geodb OpenFile GDAL format
However, there are alternative options that allow you to connect with Esri Applications without making use of these Readers/Writers:
- The OpenFile Geodatabase Reader/Writer allows you to work with an Esri File Geodatabase without an Esri license or special installed libraries.
- Read and write to hosted Feature Services with the Esri ArcGIS Feature Service Reader/Writer included in the Esri ArcGIS Connector package. See Working with Esri ArcGIS Feature Services in FME for an overview.
- Upload and access hosted online content and files, like File Geodatabase, with the EsriArcGISOnlineConnector . Please see How to use the EsriArcGISOnlineConnector for instructions.
- Use an Esri Web Tool to write to an Enterprise Geodatabase: How FME Flow (or Form) can write to ArcGIS Enterprise with no local ArcGIS install.
- ArcGIS Portal Readers/Writers can read and write to an Enterprise Geodatabase if it is a referenced registered data store. Note any limitations of working with Geodatabases in Feature Services. See Update an Enterprise Geodatabase via a Portal Feature Service for general workflow guidance.
FAQ
“Can I use ArcGIS Pro with FME Flow?”
No, ArcGIS Pro cannot be used with FME Flow. Please see Esri’s article on this topic, "How does Data Interoperability relate to FME? " for more information, or contact your Esri account manager for more clarification of Esri’s licensing terms.
"Can I configure my FME Flow deployment to dedicate an engine to ArcGIS processing?"
Yes. Remote Engines or Distributed Engines can be used to isolate an engine on a machine that's licensed with ArcGIS Enterprise. Distributed Engines sit on the same network as FME Flow Core, while Remote Engines typically live outside it. This approach is appropriate when:
- The FME Flow Core is running on an incompatible operating system (for example, FME Flow Hosted on Linux).
- ArcGIS licenses are limited and need to be allocated to a specific engine.
- Only a subset of FME workflows requires access to ArcGIS licensing.
"Does ArcGIS Server need to be running on the FME Flow environment, or is it enough that it's installed and licensed?"
No, it doesn't need to be running. It just needs to be installed and licensed for FME Flow Engines to check out licenses and use the ArcPy interpreter. That said, testing is still recommended to cover all the FME and ArcGIS dependent use cases your team relies on.