The GEOSS Common Infrastructure

The GEOSS Common Infrastructure allows the user of Earth observations to access, search and use the data, information, tools and services available through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. The infrastructure consists of four main elements:

• The GEO Portal provides the direct web interface through which the user accesses GEOSS and searches for information and services.
• The GEOSS Clearinghouse is the engine that drives the entire system. It connects directly to the various GEOSS components and services, collects and searches their information and distributes data and services via the Portal to the user.
• The GEOSS Components and Services Registry is similar to a library catalogue. All of the governments and organizations that contribute components and services to GEOSS provide essential details about the name, contents, and management of their contribution. This assists the Clearinghouse, and ultimately the user, to identify the GEOSS resources that may be of interest.
• The GEOSS Standards and Interoperability Registry enables contributors to GEOSS to configure their systems so that they can share information with other systems. This Registry is vital to the ability of GEOSS to function as a true system of systems and to provide integrated and cross-cutting information and services. Contributors can also share ideas and proposals informally via the associated Standards and Interoperability Forum.
• The Best Practices Wiki provides the GEOSS community with a means to propose, discuss and converge upon best practices in all fields of earth observation.

Each element of the GEOSS Common Infrastructure has been contributed by GEO Members and Participating Organizations. Their commitment and generosity in assuring its operation and continuity will remain vital to the success of GEOSS. To better understand how the Common Infrastructure functions, see the diagram below: