Geonetwork
Definition
A geonetwork is a catalog and discovery system for geospatial resources—datasets, services, maps, and models—exposed via standardized metadata. It lets organizations publish what they have, describe lineage and quality, and make data searchable by theme, time, and place. Open‑source tools such as GeoNetwork or CKAN with spatial plugins implement ISO/OGC metadata, CSW/APIs, and harvesting from distributed nodes.
Application
Typical applications include national spatial data infrastructures, city open‑data portals, and corporate data catalogs. Teams reduce duplication by discovering authoritative layers, track versions, and automate harvesting from internal and partner repositories. A well‑curated geonetwork becomes the front door to GIS assets and a compliance backbone for data governance.
FAQ
How does a geonetwork differ from a geoportal?
A geonetwork focuses on metadata management and catalog services; a geoportal is the user‑facing site for exploration and visualization. Many portals use a geonetwork underneath to power search.
What metadata fields are non‑negotiable?
Spatial extent, coordinate reference, lineage, update cadence, license, and contact. Without them, reuse is risky and legal clarity is lacking.
Can a geonetwork manage restricted data?
Yes. It can expose metadata publicly while gating the download service by roles. Fine‑grained entitlements let partners see what exists without direct access to sensitive content.
How do you keep metadata fresh?
Automated harvesting, CI/CD hooks from data pipelines, and ownership badges. Set SLA‑based reminders and deprecate stale records with visible warnings rather than silent disappearance.