Managing Enterprise GIS Geodatabases

Geog 469 GIS Workshop

Outline

1. Why is a geodatabase important for GIS? 2. What is the architecture of a geodatabase? 3. How can we compare and contrast three

types of geodatabase management approaches?

4. What is Enterprise GIS? 5. What are the components and purposes of

layers in the ArcGIS for Server DBMS stack?

1. Why is a geodatabase important for GIS? Basics of Geodatabases… • http://resources.arcgis.com/content/geodat

abases/10.0/about • Click on essential readings to get to list of

topics (left side panel), for example…. Under data management is a list of topics such

as “what is a geodatabase?” Discuss the list of multiple meanings for geodatabase.

2. What is the architecture of a geodatabase?

In the third row of the “essential readings… “ page you find “The Architecture of the Geodatabase”

http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/The_architecture_of_a_geodatabase/003n000000r4000000/

“The geodatabase storage mode is based on a series of

simple yet essential relational database concepts and leverages the strengths of the underlying database management system (DBMS). Simple tables and well-defined attribute types are used to store the schema, rule, base, and spatial attribute data for each geographic dataset. … The internal structure of these tables was restructured beginning with the ArcGIS 10 release. The information related to the schema in the geodatabase, which prior to ArcGIS 10 was stored in over 35 geodatabase system tables, was consolidated into four main tables…” have a look at the description…

3. How can we compare and contrast three types of geodatabase management approaches?

• Selecting the appropriate geodatabase to work with will depend on the specific requirements of your GIS project and/or application.

• There are three types of geodatabases: ArcSDE geodatabase, File geodatabase, Personal geodatabase http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Types_of_geodatabases/003n00000007000000/

• The table compares and contrasts database management support for GIS applications

• Six scopes of GIS would use a different geodatabase; which type of geodatabase is more likely associated with a single project environment and which with an enterprise environment and larger? Why?

4. What is Enterprise GIS? Enterprise GIS is a platform for delivering organization-

wide geospatial capabilities while improving access to geographic information and extending geospatial capabilities to diverse users of GIS.

Advantages of deploying an enterprise GIS include: • Using a common infrastructure for building and

deploying GIS solutions • Extending geospatial capabilities to an enterprise

community • Improving capabilities of other enterprise systems

by leveraging the value of geographic information • Increasing overall operating efficiency using GIS

across an organization

Enterprise GIS Framework An enterprise GIS framework improves organization

workflows since it applies a ‘geographic approach’ to relate legacy and new information for better decision making; greater efficiency with money, time, and resources; and more effective communication.

Framework has the following characteristics… • Scalable, extensible, reliable, and secure • Open, interoperable, and standards-based • Capable of being effectively integrated within the

enterprise • May be complex to implement; requires significant

planning and support • Delivers a high return on investment

Enterprise GIS Framework Framework fosters collaboration across organization functions through

application and data integration

http://www.esri.com/technology-topics/enterprise-gis/framework.html

UW Geog GIS Servers – 5/2013

UW Geog GIS Servers - 5/2014

5. What are the components and purposes of layers in the ArcGIS for Server DBMS stack?

Software stack: • Client: ArcObjects with ArcSDE embedded • ArcGIS for Server with ArcSDE embedded • DBMS • Operating System

Arrow is indicating access to database

DB1 Server Stack in Geography

ArcGIS for Desktop - client ArcGIS for Server (only a couple of SDE files are needed now for DB connection) PostgreSQL 9.2.4 (5/2013) Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.4 (5/2013)

Database data is stored on a 500 GB SAN volume that is mounted on boot-up.

Conclusions

• Geodatabases are created because… – flexible data representation was needed to perform

more sophisticated analyses – more consistency in data storage needed – flexibility and consistency implemented as rules

• Geodatabases come in three types: personal, file, and Enterprise (ArcGIS for Server)

• Six GIS implementation scopes could use a different geodatabase type based on data management need.