Build Network (Network Analyst)

Summary

Reconstructs the network connectivity and attribute information of a network dataset. The network dataset must be rebuilt after edits are made to the attributes or the features of a participating source feature class. After the source features are edited, the tool establishes the network connectivity only in the areas that have been edited to speed up the build process; however, when the network attributes are edited, the entire extent of the network dataset is rebuilt. This may be a slow operation on a large network dataset.

Learn more about which network dataset edits require a rebuild

Usage

• The tool will warn if any build errors are encountered when building the network. As these errors indicate potential problems that may prevent the network from working as intended, they should be examined and addressed.

  Learn more about network build errors

• Before building a network dataset, an exclusive schema lock is required on the network dataset and the participating source feature classes. This means that no one can be editing the participating feature classes. An error will occur if an exclusive schema lock cannot be obtained.

Parameters

Dialog

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Input Network Dataset	The network dataset to be built.	Network Dataset Layer

Derived Output

Label	Explanation	Data Type
Updated Input Network Dataset	The updated network dataset.	Network Dataset Layer

Python

arcpy.na.BuildNetwork(in_network_dataset)

Name	Explanation	Data Type
in_network_dataset	The network dataset to be built.	Network Dataset Layer

Derived Output

Name	Explanation	Data Type
out_network_dataset	The updated network dataset.	Network Dataset Layer

Code sample

BuildNetwork example 1 (Python window)

Execute the tool using all parameters.

network = "C:/Data/Paris.gdb"
arcpy.na.BuildNetwork(network)

BuildNetwork example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following Python script demonstrates how to use the BuildNetwork tool in a stand-alone script.

# Name: BuildNetwork_ex02.py
# Description: Build a network dataset.
# Requirements: Network Analyst Extension 

#Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
import sys
import os
import shutil

try:
    #Check out Network Analyst license if available. Fail if the Network Analyst license is not available.
    if arcpy.CheckExtension("network") == "Available":
        arcpy.CheckOutExtension("network")
    else:
        raise arcpy.ExecuteError("Network Analyst Extension license is not available.")
    
    #Set environment settings
    env.workspace = "C:/data/SanFrancisco.gdb"
    
    #Set local variables
    inNetworkDataset = "Transportation/Streets_ND"
    
    #Build the network dataset
    arcpy.BuildNetwork_na(inNetworkDataset)
    
    #If there are any build errors, they are recorded in a BuildErrors.txt file
    #present in the system temp directory. So copy this file to the directory
    #containing this script
    
    #First get the path to the system temp directory
    tempDir = os.environ.get("TEMP")
    if tempDir:
        shutil.copy2(os.path.join(tempDir,"BuildErrors.txt"),sys.path[0])
    
    print("Script completed successfully.")

except Exception as e:
    # If an error occurred, print line number and error message
    import traceback, sys
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    print("An error occurred on line %i" % tb.tb_lineno)
    print(str(e))

Environments

Current Workspace

Licensing information

• Basic: Requires Network Analyst
• Standard: Requires Network Analyst
• Advanced: Requires Network Analyst