1. GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI): status and evolution EC Side Event - GEO Plenary IX Foz do Iguacu, 22-23 November 2012 Mirko Albani Earth Observation Directorate, European Space Agency (ESA) Task IN-03 Coordinator

2. GEOSS Common Infrastructure (1) The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) consists of a global and flexible network of content providers and aims at providing decision-support tools to a wide variety of users. A set of core components and functions, known as the GEOSS Common Infrastructure or GCI, were designed and deployed to: Allow GEOSS resources (e.g. systems, data, services) to be easily discovered and accessed. Improve interoperability for existing and future observation systems. Build an Open Infrastructure in accordance with the GEOSS Data Sharing Principles.

3. GEOSS Common Infrastructure (2) Based on the GEOSS 10-year implementation plan, the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) offers the following capabilities: A Web Portal that provides GEOSS users with a one-stop discovery and access function to all GEOSS resources; A brokering-based architecture to discover and access registered resources; A set of registries of GEOSS components, services, standards, requirements and best practices. As main enabler of the System of Systems principles and capabilities, the GCI is able to interface with external systems to facilitate end users in discovering and accessing their services and resources.

5. GEOSS Common Infrastructure (3) The GCI consists of the following main elements: GEO Web Portal (GWP): web interface for end users to search and access GEOSS resources; Discovery and Access Broker (DAB): is a middleware framework allowing discovery and access of heterogeneous resources from different information systems and capacities; it is accessed by the GWP in a transparent manner according to end user queries; Semantic Component (SC): contains semantic information to support user searches and the capturing of user-related information. Prototype Component. Semantic Resources. Clearinghouse (CH): is a catalogue service connecting to GEOSS resources registered in the CSR; it is interrogated by the DAB; Component and Service Registry (CSR): contains information on all resources provided as contribution to GEOSS; GEOSS Registries: Standards and Interoperability Registry (SIR): contains information on Standards and interoperability arrangements implemented in GEO; Best Practices Wiki (BPW): contains information on EO best practices; User Requirement Registry (URR): contains user-related information (user types, applications, requirements, and needs in terms of research, technology, infrastructure, and capacity building) and information on the interconnectivity of these entities, and it provides tools to analyze this information. Integrated/Federated EO Discovery/Access Systems (e.g. GENESI, CWIC, FedEO): centralized elements accessed by DAB and enabling discovery/access to heterogeneous data from federated repositories. Service Monitoring: monitor the status of GCI components and testing the availability and behaviour of OGC Web Services, including WMS, WCS, WFS, SOS, and CSW.

6. GCI Services to users (1) GEOSS resources search in GEO Web Portal through: Free text Browsing via Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs) Semantic search Refined search Distributed search of catalogues and inventories via Data Access Broker. Direct access to data & resources. Geo-enabled RSS feeds visualization on globe

7. GCI Services to users (2) Search results display according to resources categories. Ranking from data Access Broker Filtering Options

8. GCI Services to users (3) Search results providing: description of the resources, links to resources (e.g. web pages, WMS/WFS), Google-Earth KML files, downloadable items, etc..zip file PdfWeb LinkImage

9. GCI Services to users (4) Google Earth.KML files

10. GCI Services to users (5) Web Map Service (WMS) Web Feature Service (WFS) ftp

11. Datasets Access Collection Discovery through the GEO Web Portal and Data Access Broker Access to data products within discovered collections in a 2 nd window through GENESI

12. IN-03 GCI Task Description Facilitate and support the sustained operation, maintenance and enhancement of a user-friendly GCI, allowing users to search and access GEOSS resources (e.g. datasets and services). Support the integration of new GCI capabilities and the discovery of, and access to, a core set of data and information across all SBAs. Continuously engage with GCI core service operators, data and service providers, and user communities. Two task components: –C1: Evolution and Enhancement of the GCI –C2: Operations and Maintenance of GCI Components Addressing Architecture and Data Management Strategic Targets Task Coordinators and PoCs: M. Albani (ESA) and D. Nebert (USGS)

13. IN-03 Coordination Mechanism GCI operations are conducted by the GCI Operations Team within Component C2 (GCI Operations) under the coordination of the C2 Component Point of Contact. GCI enhancements are assessed and implemented by the GCI Enhancement Team within Component C1 (GCI Enhancements) under the coordination of the C1 component Point of Contact. Feedback from user possible through the GWP. Supporting Tools implemented: –GCI Operations and Evolution (GOE) tool to handle process for GCI bugs resolution and enhancements implementation. –MONITIS.COM tool: web server monitoring of GCI operations Regular bi-weekly Telecons ongoing (Operations + Enhancements) among GCI providers. –Extension of participation to data-CORE Providers in case of need to facilitate discovery and accessibility of data. –Infrastructure Implementation Board provides advice and guidance.

14. Work-in-Progress Future work will aim at: Increasing the number of resources (including GEOSS Data-Core) discoverable and accessible through the GCI. –Facilitation of GEOSS registration mechanism –Enhance access to resources (also not registered in GEOSS) –Engagement and support from resource owners needed Further consolidating GCI components, interfaces and functions –Improve integration of search and access components –Improve data visualization in the GWP –Improve result ranking algorithm such that sorting of results reflects the expected best matchof an item based on the query –Improve semantic search, to address the semantic heterogeneity among the terminology –Enhance service checking for GEOSS resources –User registration Integrating new elements and components in the GCI

15. Nov 2012 Plenary GCI + prototype components from relevant projects Mid 2013 Sep 2011 GEOWOW KOM GCI + GEOWOW + other relevant projects Requirem. & Advice 2 nd GEOWOW Syst delivery GEOWOW and other EC FP7 projects have secured additional resources to ensure timely GCI enhancements and operations beyond GEO IX Plenary GCI after the plenary and GEOWOW contribution Consolidated GCI Mid 2012 1st GEOWOW Syst delivery Nov 2011 Plenary

16. THANK YOU !!! Contacts: Mirko Albani (ESA) Mirko.Albani@esa.int