GeoServer
Encyclopedia
In computing
, GeoServer - an open-source
server written in Java
- allows users to share and edit geospatial data
. Designed for interoperability, it publishes data from any major spatial data source using open standards
. GeoServer has evolved to become an easy method of connecting existing information to Virtual Globes such as Google Earth
and NASA World Wind
as well as to web-based maps such as OpenLayers
, Google Maps
and Bing Maps. GeoServer functions as the reference implementation
of the Open Geospatial Consortium
Web Feature Service
standard, and also implements the Web Map Service
and Web Coverage Service
specifications.
. Just as the Apache HTTP Server
has offered a free and open web server to publish HTML
, GeoServer aims to do the same for geospatial data.
Through standard protocols it produces KML
, GML
, Shapefile
, GeoRSS
, PDF
, GeoJSON
, JPEG
, GIF
, SVG, PNG and more. In addition, one can edit data via the WFS transactional profile (WFS-T). GeoServer includes an integrated OpenLayers
client for previewing data layers.
GeoServer additionally supports efficient publishing of geospatial data to Google Earth
through the use of network links, using KML
. Advanced features for Google Earth output include templates for customized pop-ups, time and height visualizations, and "super-overlays".
GeoServer relies on GeoTools
, a GIS
library.
as a framework for the REST
services it provides. It packages Jetty (web server)
as an embedded server, but supports any common servlet container. GeoWebCache, a Java-based caching component similar to TileCache, is bundled with GeoServer, but available separately.
Computing
Computing is usually defined as the activity of using and improving computer hardware and software. It is the computer-specific part of information technology...
, GeoServer - an open-source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
server written in Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
- allows users to share and edit geospatial data
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
. Designed for interoperability, it publishes data from any major spatial data source using open standards
Open standard
An open standard is a standard that is publicly available and has various rights to use associated with it, and may also have various properties of how it was designed . There is no single definition and interpretations vary with usage....
. GeoServer has evolved to become an easy method of connecting existing information to Virtual Globes such as Google Earth
Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
and NASA World Wind
NASA World Wind
World Wind is an open-source virtual globe developed by NASA and the open source community for use on personal computers. Old versions need Microsoft Windows but the more recent Java version, , is cross platform and provides a suite of . The World Wind Java version was awarded in November 2009...
as well as to web-based maps such as OpenLayers
OpenLayers
OpenLayers is an open source JavaScript library for displaying map data in web browsers. It provides an API for building rich web-based geographic applications similar to Google Maps and Bing Maps...
, Google Maps
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
and Bing Maps. GeoServer functions as the reference implementation
Reference implementation
In the software development process, a reference implementation is the standard from which all other implementations, with their attendant customizations, are measured, and to which all improvements are added...
of the Open Geospatial Consortium
Open Geospatial Consortium
The Open Geospatial Consortium , an international voluntary consensus standards organization, originated in 1994. In the OGC, more than 400 commercial, governmental, nonprofit and research organizations worldwide collaborate in a consensus process encouraging development and implementation of open...
Web Feature Service
Web Feature Service
The Open Geospatial Consortium Web Feature Service Interface Standard provides an interface allowing requests for geographical features across the web using platform-independent calls...
standard, and also implements the Web Map Service
Web Map Service
A Web Map Service is a standard protocol for serving georeferenced map images over the Internet that are generated by a map server using data from a GIS database...
and Web Coverage Service
Web Coverage Service
The Open Geospatial Consortium Web Coverage Service Interface Standard provides an interface allowing requests for geographical coverages across the web using platform-independent calls...
specifications.
Goals
GeoServer aims to operate as a node within a free and open Spatial Data InfrastructureSpatial Data Infrastructure
A spatial data infrastructure is a framework of spatial data, metadata, users and tools that are interactively connected in order to use spatial data in an efficient and flexible way...
. Just as the Apache HTTP Server
Apache HTTP Server
The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache , is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone...
has offered a free and open web server to publish HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
, GeoServer aims to do the same for geospatial data.
Features
GeoServer reads a variety of data formats, including:- PostGISPostGISPostGIS is an open source software program that adds support for geographic objects to the PostgreSQL object-relational database. PostGIS follows the Simple Features for SQL specification from the Open Geospatial Consortium .-Features:...
- Oracle SpatialOracle SpatialOracle Spatial forms a separately-licensed option component of the Oracle Database. Oracle Spatial aids users in managing geographic and location-data in a native type within an Oracle database, potentially supporting a wide range of applications — from automated mapping/facilities-management and...
- ArcSDEArcSDEArcSDE is a server-software sub-system that aims to enable the usage of Relational Database Management Systems for spatial data...
- DB2IBM DB2The IBM DB2 Enterprise Server Edition is a relational model database server developed by IBM. It primarily runs on Unix , Linux, IBM i , z/OS and Windows servers. DB2 also powers the different IBM InfoSphere Warehouse editions...
- MySQLMySQLMySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
- ShapefileShapefileThe Esri Shapefile or simply a shapefile is a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information systems software. It is developed and regulated by Esri as a open specification for data interoperability among Esri and other software products.Shapefiles spatially describe geometries:...
s - GeoTIFFGeoTIFFGeoTIFF is a public domain metadata standard which allows georeferencing information to be embedded within a TIFF file. The potential additional information includes map projection, coordinate systems, ellipsoids, datums, and everything else necessary to establish the exact spatial reference for...
- GTOPO30GTOPO30GTOPO30 is a digital elevation model for the world, developed by USGS. It has a 30-arc second resolution , and is split into 33 tiles stored in the USGS DEM file format.-See also:* Shuttle Radar Topography Mission...
- ECWECWECW may refer to:Professional wrestling* Extreme Championship Wrestling, a professional wrestling promotion that operated from 1992 to 2001...
, MrSIDMrSID-External links:* from LizardTech's website... - JPEG2000
Through standard protocols it produces KML
Keyhole Markup Language
Keyhole Markup Language is an XML notation for expressing geographic annotation and visualization within Internet-based, two-dimensional maps and three-dimensional Earth browsers. KML was developed for use with Google Earth, which was originally named Keyhole Earth Viewer. It was created by...
, GML
Geography Markup Language
The Geography Markup Language is the XML grammar defined by the Open Geospatial Consortium to express geographical features. GML serves as a modeling language for geographic systems as well as an open interchange format for geographic transactions on the Internet...
, Shapefile
Shapefile
The Esri Shapefile or simply a shapefile is a popular geospatial vector data format for geographic information systems software. It is developed and regulated by Esri as a open specification for data interoperability among Esri and other software products.Shapefiles spatially describe geometries:...
, GeoRSS
GeoRSS
GeoRSS is an emerging standard for encoding location as part of a Web feed. GeoRSS is an emerging standard for encoding location as part of a Web feed. GeoRSS is an emerging standard for encoding location as part of a Web feed. (Web feeds are used to describe feeds ("channels") of content, such as...
Portable Document Format
Portable Document Format is an open standard for document exchange. This file format, created by Adobe Systems in 1993, is used for representing documents in a manner independent of application software, hardware, and operating systems....
, GeoJSON
GeoJSON
GeoJSON is an open format for encoding a variety of geographic data structures.It is so named because it is based on JSON...
, JPEG
JPEG
In computing, JPEG . The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality....
, GIF
GIF
The Graphics Interchange Format is a bitmap image format that was introduced by CompuServe in 1987 and has since come into widespread usage on the World Wide Web due to its wide support and portability....
, SVG, PNG and more. In addition, one can edit data via the WFS transactional profile (WFS-T). GeoServer includes an integrated OpenLayers
OpenLayers
OpenLayers is an open source JavaScript library for displaying map data in web browsers. It provides an API for building rich web-based geographic applications similar to Google Maps and Bing Maps...
client for previewing data layers.
GeoServer additionally supports efficient publishing of geospatial data to Google Earth
Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
through the use of network links, using KML
Keyhole Markup Language
Keyhole Markup Language is an XML notation for expressing geographic annotation and visualization within Internet-based, two-dimensional maps and three-dimensional Earth browsers. KML was developed for use with Google Earth, which was originally named Keyhole Earth Viewer. It was created by...
. Advanced features for Google Earth output include templates for customized pop-ups, time and height visualizations, and "super-overlays".
GeoServer relies on GeoTools
GeoTools
GeoTools is a free software GIS toolkit for developing standards compliant solutions.It provides an implementation of Open Geospatial Consortium specifications as they are developed...
, a GIS
Geographic Information System
A geographic information system, geographical information science, or geospatial information studies is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographically referenced data...
library.
Usage
- MassGIS (Massachusetts state GIS)
- TriMetTriMetTriMet, more formally known as the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon, is a public agency that operates mass transit in a region that spans most of the Portland metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Oregon...
(Transit agency for Portland, Oregon) - Ordnance SurveyOrdnance SurveyOrdnance Survey , an executive agency and non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom, is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, producing maps of Great Britain , and one of the world's largest producers of maps.The name reflects its creation together with...
(National Mapping Agency of the UK) - Institut Géographique National (National Mapping Agency of France)
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)
- World BankWorld BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
- Global Earthquake ModelGlobal Earthquake ModelThe Global Earthquake Model is a public-private partnership initiated in 2006 by the Global Science Forum of the OECD to develop global, open-source risk assessment software and tools...
- FAOFãoFão is a town in Esposende Municipality in Portugal....
(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) - New York City Department of Information Technology and TelecommunicationsNew York City Department of Information Technology and TelecommunicationsThe New York City Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications is the city agency that "oversees the City's use of existing and emerging technologies in government operations, and its delivery of services to the public"...
- TeamSurv
Architecture
GeoServer uses RestletRestlet
Restlet is a lightweight, comprehensive, open source REST framework for the Java platform. Restlet is suitable for both server and client Web applications. It supports major Internet transport, data format, and service description standards like HTTP and HTTPS, SMTP, XML, JSON, Atom, and WADL...
as a framework for the REST
Rest
Rest may refer to:* Leisure* Human relaxation* SleepRest may also refer to:* Rest , a pause in a piece of music* Rest , the relation between two observers* Rest , a 2008 album by Gregor Samsa...
services it provides. It packages Jetty (web server)
Jetty (web server)
Jetty is a pure Java-based HTTP client/server, WebSocket client/server and servlet container developed as a free and open source project as part of the Eclipse Foundation...
as an embedded server, but supports any common servlet container. GeoWebCache, a Java-based caching component similar to TileCache, is bundled with GeoServer, but available separately.
See also
- Open Geospatial ConsortiumOpen Geospatial ConsortiumThe Open Geospatial Consortium , an international voluntary consensus standards organization, originated in 1994. In the OGC, more than 400 commercial, governmental, nonprofit and research organizations worldwide collaborate in a consensus process encouraging development and implementation of open...
- Web Feature ServiceWeb Feature ServiceThe Open Geospatial Consortium Web Feature Service Interface Standard provides an interface allowing requests for geographical features across the web using platform-independent calls...
- Web Map ServiceWeb Map ServiceA Web Map Service is a standard protocol for serving georeferenced map images over the Internet that are generated by a map server using data from a GIS database...
- Web Coverage ServiceWeb Coverage ServiceThe Open Geospatial Consortium Web Coverage Service Interface Standard provides an interface allowing requests for geographical coverages across the web using platform-independent calls...
- OpenLayersOpenLayersOpenLayers is an open source JavaScript library for displaying map data in web browsers. It provides an API for building rich web-based geographic applications similar to Google Maps and Bing Maps...
- GeoToolsGeoToolsGeoTools is a free software GIS toolkit for developing standards compliant solutions.It provides an implementation of Open Geospatial Consortium specifications as they are developed...
- MapServerMapServerMapServer is an open source development environment for building spatially-enabled internet applications. It can run as a CGI program or via MapScript which supports several programming languages . MapServer was developed by the University of Minnesota — so, it is often and more specifically...
- OpenGeo
- Refractions Research
- GeoSolutions
External links
- GeoServer official website
- GeoServer Blog
- OpenPlans (original creators of GeoServer)
- OpenGeo Geospatial consulting division of The Open Planning ProjectOpenPlansOpenPlans is a non-profit technology based advocacy organization which aims to help to open up government and improve transportation systems. OpenPlans currently has a staff of 50 people...