"},{"ID":421465,"user_firstname":"Jessie","user_lastname":"Johnson","nickname":"Jessie Johnson","user_nicename":"jessiejohnson","display_name":"Jessie Johnson","user_email":"jessiejohnson@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2025-11-14 18:21:47","user_description":"Jessie Johnson is a Product Manager focused on ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes. She works closely with customers to help maximize the benefits of cloud-native GIS software, with an emphasis on efficiency, resiliency, and scalability to meet the evolving needs of users. Since joining Esri in 2021, she has supported users worldwide in leveraging GIS to enhance mission execution and improve decision-making. Prior to her role at Esri, Jessie served as an Intelligence Analyst in the US Air Force, where she played a key role in contributing to national security efforts.","user_avatar":"
"},{"ID":216642,"user_firstname":"Trevor","user_lastname":"Seaton","nickname":"Trevor Seaton","user_nicename":"tseaton","display_name":"Trevor Seaton","user_email":"tseaton@esri.com","user_url":"","user_registered":"2021-04-08 04:36:40","user_description":"Trevor Seaton is a Senior Principal Product Manager focusing on ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes and ArcGIS Online. His work emphasizes the delivery of GIS software and services that excel in scalability, performance, and reliability. Trevor has led strategic initiatives in software, aerospace, and philanthropy prior to joining Esri in 2019. He holds an MBA from the University of Washington and is pursuing a PhD in information systems at Claremont Graduate University.","user_avatar":"
"}],"short_description":"A practical guide to ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes architecture, deployment, migration, and operations.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes represents a fundamental shift in how GIS infrastructure is deployed and managed. Built on cloud-native principles, it introduces a microservices-based architecture that changes everything from installation to scaling and monitoring.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This guide explains the key architectural concepts, deployment requirements, migration strategies, and operational considerations for ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"sidebar","content":" Cloud-Native Architecture<\/a> | Microservices Model<\/a> | Deployment Process<\/a> | Scalability & Availability<\/a> | Infrastructure Requirements<\/a> | Migration Strategies<\/a> | Updates & Lifecycle<\/a> | Training & Readiness<\/a> | Learn More<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","image_reference":false,"layout":"standard","image_reference_figure":"","snippet":"","spotlight_name":"","section_title":"","position":"Center","spotlight_image":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes is built on cloud-native architecture.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes is a cloud-native deployment option based on containerization and microservices. Instead of traditional monolithic components (Portal, Server, Data Store), the system is broken into smaller services managed by Kubernetes orchestration.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Kubernetes handles:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This allows ArcGIS Enterprise to operate as a distributed, resilient system across a Kubernetes cluster.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Microservices architecture replaces separate GIS components.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Architecturally, there are no longer separate components such as ArcGIS Server, Portal for ArcGIS, and the ArcGIS Data Store. Instead, these components are broken down into smaller microservices. This means that certain constructs like an ArcGIS Server site are replaced by computing resources managed entirely at the service level. As a result, organizations can fine-tune compute and memory resources for individual services, scale workloads independently based on demand, and isolate failures so that issues can be recovered without affecting the entire system. This approach helps improve <\/span>resource<\/span> efficiency, operational <\/span>flexibility<\/span>, <\/span>and<\/span> overall syst<\/span>em resilience.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Within the infrastructure, there are also many differences.\u202f A Kubernetes cluster is made up of interchangeable nodes where work can be scheduled as appropriate to deliver resources to microservices that need them. Nodes are logically similar to virtual machines and used by Kubernetes to provide services automatically in response to dynamically changing demand. Administrators no longer manage distinct servers or virtual machines, but rather direct Kubernetes as it manages workloads delivered by pods and ultimately delivers the GIS services your users need. By treating <\/span>infrastructure<\/span> as a shared resource pool rather than a <\/span>fleet of servers<\/span>, Kubernetes provides a more consistent operational model.<\/span>\u00a0This simplifies deployment and <\/span>upgrade<\/span> workflows<\/span> and helps ensure workloads are deployed in a predictable and repeatable manner. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2981014,"id":2981014,"title":"Screenshot 2026-08-25 at 3.00.23\u202fPM","filename":"Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","filesize":818724,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-enterprise\/announcements\/arcgis-enterprise-on-kubernetes-architecture-deployment-and-migration-explained\/screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3-00-23-pm","alt":"","author":"370372","description":"","caption":"Architecture comparison of ArcGIS Enterprise on Windows and Linux vs. Kubernetes ","name":"screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3-00-23-pm","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2980454,"date":"2026-08-25 22:02:42","modified":"2026-09-10 22:34:17","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1807,"height":825,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":212,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","large-width":1807,"large-height":825,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM-1536x701.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":701,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","2048x2048-width":1807,"2048x2048-height":825,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM-826x377.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":377,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-3.00.23-PM.png","wide_image-width":1807,"wide_image-height":825}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"vertical","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Administrative focus shifts from managing individual machines to managing policies and configurations that Kubernetes uses to run the system.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Watch the following video for a demonstration of the administrative experience.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"kaltura","video_id":"1_3p2hc4kd","time":true,"start":"1180"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" These architectural and operational differences provide organizations with an alternative approach to deploying ArcGIS Enterprise. Organizations can choose between a traditional server-based architecture or a microservices-based architecture, depending on the operational requirements and IT strategy. ArcGI<\/span>S Enterprise continues to be fully supported on Windows, Linux, and Kubernetes, giving organizations the flexilibity to deploy GIS capabilities using the model that best fits their needs. <\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Deployment is automated through Kubernetes and Esri deployment tools.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Deployment is executed using automation provided by Esri:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Kubernetes provides built-in scalability and high availability.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Kubernetes provides built-in mechanisms for:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This results in more consistent performance under fluctuating workloads. See it in action with this demonstration, which shows how to design, load-test, and monitor a scalable system:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Successful deployments require Kubernetes infrastructure and expertise.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n To deploy ArcGIS Enterprise on Kubernetes, organizations need:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Because of the architectural shift, adoption typically requires coordination between GIS and IT teams and is not a low-effort deployment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2981013,"id":2981013,"title":"Screenshot 2026-08-25 at 2.59.30\u202fPM","filename":"Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","filesize":697576,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/arcgis-enterprise\/announcements\/arcgis-enterprise-on-kubernetes-architecture-deployment-and-migration-explained\/screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2-59-30-pm","alt":"","author":"370372","description":"","caption":"List of supported environments","name":"screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2-59-30-pm","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2980454,"date":"2026-08-25 22:02:36","modified":"2026-08-27 18:38:50","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1519,"height":788,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":241,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":398,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","large-width":1519,"large-height":788,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","1536x1536-width":1519,"1536x1536-height":788,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","2048x2048-width":1519,"2048x2048-height":788,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM-826x428.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":428,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Screenshot-2026-08-25-at-2.59.30-PM.png","wide_image-width":1519,"wide_image-height":788}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Migration to Kubernetes is typically phased and incremental.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Migration is typically phased rather than a lift-and-shift. Organizations often:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For some organizations, a hybrid environment that combines Windows, Linux, and <\/span>Kubernetes<\/span> deployments may be the long-term destination rather than an intermediate step in a full migration.<\/span><\/span> In either case, b<\/span>ecause of the architectural differences, migration involves rethinking how services are deployed and managed, not just moving infrastructure.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" Updates follow a lifecycle appropriate for cloud-native architecture.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Releases are aligned with Windows and Linux, and the choice of when to upgrade to new versions will be up to each individual customer and administrator. However, the product lifecycle and support timeframes for the Kubernetes deployment option are different and require faster upgrades to stay current. In addition, we also provide patches at a frequency appropriate to cloud-native software. This recognizes the speed with which Kubernetes is updated and ensures Esri continues to provide effective support for the Kubernetes deployment option, for more details please visit our <\/span>product lifecycle support page<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" IT teams can prepare through training and readiness planning.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Preparation typically includes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":" To go deeper, explore:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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Where to learn more?\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n
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