About server directories
A server directory represents a physical directory on the network that is specially designated for ArcGIS Server to store and write certain kinds of information. There are five types of server directories: cache, index, jobs, output, and input.
- Cache directories store caches of prerendered tiles that map or globe services can use for faster display. You can create a cache on the Caching tab of the Service Properties dialog box in ArcCatalog.
- Index directories store indexes of information used by search services. The search services can find GIS data stored in folders and geodatabases across your network. Each search service relies on an index that must be stored in an index directory. You can create multiple index directories, but each search service can only have one index.
- Jobs directories store files needed by geoprocessing services. Often, geoprocessing services require a space to write temporary files and store information about ongoing jobs. These items are stored in the jobs directory.
- Output directories are for temporary files needed by the server. Output directories are required for geoprocessing services, recommended for geodata services, and optional for map and image services. When you create a map service or edit its properties, you can choose which server output directory it will use. If you select None, map images will be accessed using MIME data.
- Input directories are used when you publish map services using the Map Service Publishing toolbar in ArcMap. For each service that you publish, a folder containing a map service definition (.msd) file is placed in the input directory. This file is necessary for the service to run.
Server jobs and output directories store temporary files and can be cleaned at specified intervals. There is no cleaning mechanism for server cache, index, or input directories because the files in these directories are expected to always be available.
The server object container (SOC) account that you established during the post installation must have Write access to your server directories. You will need to use the operating system tools to set the appropriate access. On Windows, you can give the SOC account permissions using the folder Properties page. You may need to grant both share and file (NTFS) permissions to the SOC account. See Configuring a multiple-machine deployment for more information about setting share and file permissions.
When you install all the components of ArcGIS Server on one machine, one default server directory of each type is created at a location that you can specify during the GIS Server Post Install. You can also choose to accept the default location. The default location is c:\arcgisserver. The post installation grants the SOC account access to the directories and establishes corresponding virtual cache, index, jobs, and output directories.