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September 24, 2015 Kevin McNinch & James Coble

Integrating FOSS4G Into a Government Web-Editing Application

USGS NGTOC [National Geospatial Technical Operations Center] -- Lakewood Colorado

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Abstract

U.S. Geological Survey National Geospatial Technological Operations Center (NGTOC) is building a suite of vector web-editing (VWE) applications for data collection and maintenance of The National Map (TNM) data. Initially built with a proprietary geospatial software architecture, VWE has integrated FOSS4G into the software architecture, including Leaflet, Esri-Leaflet, and GeoServer. Instead of entirely replacing proprietary geospatial software, VWE has adopted a hybrid architecture, mixing open and proprietary software products. This hybrid approach allows VWE to leverage the strengths of each software product for specific requirements and business rules in the different VWE applications and work within pre-existing TNM data management processes and workflows.

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Topics

■The National Map (TNM) Overview ■TNM Vector Web-Edit

■ VWE Architecture ■ Integrating FOSS4G/”Open” into VWE

■ Standards, Software, Community, Contributions ■Using “Open” as a federal government

organization

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TNM Overview

http://nationalmap.gov

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Vector Web-Edit (VWE)

Some of the VWE Applications: ■TNM Corps (VGI - crowdsourcing)

■National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) & Watershed

Boundary Dataset (WBD) ■MarkUp Application

■Hydrography Event Management (HEM)

■Geographic Names/GNIS

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TNM Vector Web-Edit Project Suite of map-centric web-editing applications for TNM ■ Modular development ■ Data collection ■ Data maintenance ■ Public (external) & internal deployment

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VWE Users: Federal, Partners, Public

Federal

DOI

USGS

NGTOC

NGP

Other

BLM

Other

EPA USDA

Other Non-Federal Partners

State Gov’t /Stewards

Local Gov’t /Sub-stewards

Other

Public

General Public (TNM Corps)

Approved Public

(Names)

■Role-based Permissioning

■ Editor ■QA/QC

■User Authentication ■ oAuth

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VWE Architecture

Initial Development: ■FY14 Development ■Esri-based web application ■NGTOC infrastructure is Esri based

■ArcGIS Server ■ArcSDE

■Quickest route to initial implementation

TNM

Core VWE Application (Modular)

ArcGIS API for JavaScript

Browser

ArcGIS Server

ArcSDE

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VWE Architecture - FOSS4G

Begin to integrate FOSS4G solutions into VWE architecture ■Goals:

■Explore open-source solutions--Awareness ■Learn & research ■Make sure we know what is out there….

■Flexibility ■Use the best tool for the job

■Leverage advantages of each product ■Ensure we use/support open standards

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“Open”

■Open Standards ■common, open protocols….interoperability

■Open-Source Software [FOSS4G] ■Using open-source software products ■Contributing to open-source projects

■Open-source Code/Project/Community ■Sharing/publishing code [https://github.com/usgs]

■Developing a community

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VWE Architecture Going Forward - 1 VWE development is not leaving the Esri platform! VWE chose a Hybrid architecture: ■ Use Esri when it makes sense ■ Data management ■ ArcSDE reliance by organization—not going away (or

need to) ■ Geoprocessing (complex?) ■ Linear referencing

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VWE Architecture Going Forward - 2

VWE chose a Hybrid architecture: ■ Use Open-source solutions when it makes sense ■ Support open standards—interoperability ■ Licensing ■ Supporting an open-source community ■ Cost?

■ Community of developers/support? ■ Updates

■ Avoid vendor lock-in ■ Lightweight architecture ■ Where it works best….leverage the right tool for

the job

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TNM

Core VWE Application (Modular)

ArcGIS API for JavaScript

Browser

TNM TNM

Pure Esri Solution FOSS4G client side Esri server side

Pure FOSS4G Solution

Hybrid FOSS4G/Esri Solution

Browser Browser Browser

Leaflet Esri-leaflet (plugin)

Leaflet Esri-leaflet plugin

WFS-T plugin

Open Layers/Leaflet

Core VWE Application (Modular)

Core VWE Application (Modular)

Core VWE Application (Modular)

ArcGIS Server ArcGIS Server

GeoServer GeoServer

TNM

ArcGIS Server

ArcSDE ArcSDE ArcSDE PostGIS

Integrating “Open” into VWE

PostGIS

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Some “Open” Software Used in VWE

Esri-Leaflet

WFS-T Plugin

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■Can government organizations contribute to OSS project? ■Need to review the licensing of the project ■Policy! (in flux) ■VWE team consulted USGS counsel

■ Answer: Yes* ■ But it depends on the licensing of the project

* The views of the VWE team do not necessarily match those of USGS or DOI

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Questions?

Contact Information: Kevin McNinch: klmcninch@usgs.gov James Coble: jcoble@usgs.gov