Managing and Publishing a Metadata Service

Publishing metadata combines three products:

  • ArcCatalog - metadata creation (v8.2)
  • ArcSDE - metadata storage (v8.2)
  • ArcIMS - metadata server (v4.0)

    • Building a metadata service

  • Identify Users through use of ArcIMS security (users/passwords/privileges)
  • Browse, Publish, Service Author, Admin
  • Determined through an access control list (aimsacl.axl)
  • Enabled with esri_prop file
  • Set up ArcSDE database (1 layer + 9 tables)
  • DO NOT edit these tables (accessed through ArcCatalog and ArcIMS)
  • Space allocation setup with DBTUNE Keywords
  • Set MAXBLOBSIZE parameter
  • Determine which security account will own data
  • Refer to ArcSDE tuning guide
  • Use ArcIMS Metadata Server example (edit sample files to fit situation)
  • Validation - establishes required metadata elements
  • Optional - improves searches, does not enforce standard
  • Indexing - files must be indexed to search on strings
  • Time killer, can be disabled and run index at off-peak time

    Publishing Metadata

    Move metadata records (.xml files) to ArcIMS Metadata Service using Drag and Drop or copy/paste from ArcCatalog
    Related documents may be attached
    All file management is done through referencing - no duplicated files
    Changes in layer.xml file requires republishing
    Should be managed by a single person (metadata librarian)

    Miscellaneous notes

    Troubleshoot problems using ArcIMS and ArcSDE log files (to determine which component has the problem) Z3950 connector allows Z3950 client to access arcxml file (FGDC and NBII clearinghouse use Z3950 protocol

    Metadata Explorer - uses web browser to explore ArcIMS metadata services Can be customize by editing JSP or HTML files - see Documentation>ArcIMS>Advanced for sample