System and method for efficient management of distributed spatial data
A system and method of providing efficient management of distributed, diversified, large sized spatial data as a scalable solution. The system and method are based on the combination of the following: Distributed spatial data is managed by spatial data servers which are deployed next to each spatial data source that needs to be accessed allowing spatial data to remain in the location where it was created. Spatial data indices allow fast delivery of large spatial data sets and are automatically updated whenever spatial data sets are modified. Spatial meta servers coordinate the spatial data servers, publish the existence of the spatial data, define access permissions and communicate with other spatial meta severs extending the spatial data connectivity into other networks. Spatial data providers deployed next to each location requiring access to the spatial data allow spatial data to be discovered and accessed directly from the spatial data servers.
1. A system for efficient management of distributed spatial data, different portions of the spatial data stored in each of a plurality of spatial data sources in any of a plurality of data formats, each spatial data source connected to one of a plurality of networks, the system comprising:
a plurality of spatial data servers, each spatial data server deployed next to and connected to a different one of the spatial data sources, for:
transmitting spatial data using a common spatial data exchange protocol;
building hierarchical spatial data indices;
updating the indices automatically whenever spatial data sets are modified; and
forwarding spatial data responsive to an update of the spatial data;
a plurality of spatial meta servers, each connected to one or more spatial data servers via one of the networks, for:
publishing the existence of specified spatial data on any of the spatial data servers to which it is connected;
defining access permissions for the published spatial data; and
communicating with other spatial meta severs for extending connectivity and spatial data publication to the other networks; and
a plurality of spatial data providers, each connected to one of a plurality of network clients, for:
allowing the network client to discover the spatial data; and
accessing spatial data directly from the spatial data servers.
2. A method for efficient management of distributed spatial data comprising the steps of:
deploying one of a plurality of spatial data servers in network connectivity with one of a plurality of spatial data sources;
deploying a spatial meta server in network connectivity with one or more spatial data servers;
deploying one of a plurality of spatial data providers in network connectivity at each of a plurality of locations requiring access to the spatial data sources;
publishing the existence of specified spatial data on each of the spatial data servers;
defining spatial data access permissions for each of the spatial data providers;
discovering, at each location requiring access to the spatial data sources, the spatial data via the spatial data provider deployed at the location;
building spatial data indices for the spatial data on each of the spatial data sources;
updating the spatial data indices automatically each time the spatial data changes on any of the spatial data sources;
transferring spatial data directly between the spatial data servers and the spatial data providers responsive to a request for spatial data;
forwarding updated spatial data to the spatial data providers automatically when data changes occur;
using a common data exchange protocol for all spatial data transfers;
extending discovery and transfer of the spatial data, through the spatial meta server, to further spatial meta servers each connected to one of the other networks.