Exercise 1: Configuring a Tracking Server Data Link

Complexity: Beginner Data Requirement: Installed with software

Multiple data links come packaged with the Tracking Server: Tracking Server Connector, Feature Logger, and Generic Input.

In this exercise, you will configure the Tracking Server Connector data link, which transfers real-time data messages from Tracking Server to Tracking Viewer and Tracking Analyst via the Tracking Client Gateway. For more information on this and other data links, refer to the section on Connecting to Real-Time Data.

Starting the Tracking Gateway Service

The Gateway service must be started in order for the Tracking Server Connector data link to connect to it. Generally, it is best to have the Gateway service running before starting Tracking Server.

Steps:

1. Add the Tracking Server Controller icon to the Windows tray by going to Start > Programs > ArcGIS Tracking Server > Tracking Server Controller.
2. Right-Click on the Tracking Server Controller icon in the Windows system tray to display the list of Windows services provided by Tracking Server.
3. Hover the pointer over the Tracking Gateway service to display the options for starting and stopping the service.
4. Select Start.

   The Tracking Gateway service is now running.

Starting Tracking Server

Tracking Server is controlled using Tracking Server Manager. Tracking Server Manager allows you to start and stop Tracking Server and configure various properties of Tracking Server. To set up real-time services, you must first start Tracking Server and the Tracking Server Connector data link.

Steps:

1. Click the Start menu and navigate to Programs > ArcGIS Tracking Server > Manager.
The icons in the bottom left corner of Tracking Server Manager indicate whether Tracking Server is running. The red icon means Tracking Server is not running; the green icon means Tracking Server is running. Tracking Server runs as a Windows service and is maintained by Tracking Server Manager.
2. Start Tracking Server by clicking File > Start Server.

   The icon in the bottom left corner turns green to indicate that Tracking Server is running.

Configuring the Tracking Server Connector Data Link

The Tracking Server Connector data link is used to connect Tracking Server to the Tracking Gateway so that tracking services can be distributed to internet client applications. This data link distributes tracking server definitions and near real-time data to the Tracking Gateway.

Steps:

1. Click the Data Links tab in Tracking Server Manager.
2. Double-click the Tracking Server Connector.
This opens the TMS Connector Configuration dialog box. This dialog box allows you to enable or disable services and to check on the status of Tracking Server's connection to the Tracking Gateway. There are two tabs in the dialog box, Gateway Connections and Tracking Services.

Initially, the Connections list box is blank, because there are no Gateway connections established. If the Connections list box is blank, you need to add a Gateway connection. If there is already a Gateway connection with a Connection Status of Connected, then there is no need to add another connection.

3. Click the plus sign to add a connection.

   The default host name is localhost, and the default port number is 5505. If necessary, make any changes appropriate to your gateway configuration.

4. Click Start to start the data link and then click Apply.
You should see the Connection Status field change to "Connected", and the message in the bottom left corner of the dialog box should change to Data Link Running.
If you are having problems establishing a Gateway connection, refer to the appropriate section of the Tracking Server Troubleshooting Guide.
5. Click OK to close the dialog box.

   You will now see a check mark in the check box next to the Tracking Server Connector data link in the Data Links tab of Tracking Server Manager. The Tracking Server Connector data link is running.

Proceed to the next exercise