Integrate a Map Viewer

Integrate a Map Viewer

Prior to version 9.3.1, the Geoportal extension was distributed with an out-of-the-box map viewer. At 9.3.1, the map viewer is no longer necessary, as live data and map services can be previewed in the simple Previewer mapping application, available when a user clicks "Preview" on any search result. However, if your organization desires to implement a map viewer, the Geoportal can be configured to support your viewer as long as certain URL parameters are provided. The url parameters and the instructions to configure the link to launch the map viewer are described below. Note: The example sample Flex Viewer that ships with the Geoportal extension does not support the Add to Map function from the Geoportal search page discussed below, although Add to Map is available through its Geoportal Search Widget for Flex.

1. Parameters for the map viewing application
   
   The map viewer should be exposed by a link with the format described below. The format is important because it supports the 'Add to Map' functionality for a search result on the search page. If your custom map viewer does not follow this url format, the Geoportal will not be able to launch the live data resource in the map viewer from the search page.
   
   
   
   http://server:port/map_viewer_web_application_name?resources=map:servicetype@serviceurl
   
   
   
   where:
   • server = the web server hosting the map viewer application.
   • port = port for the web server.
   • map_viewer_web_application_name= the path to the map viewer. This may be just a web application name or a more extensive path
   • servicetype = the type of service to be added to the map viewer. This may be WMS, WFS, WCS, ArcGIS Server services, or ArcIMS services. Your custom map viewer must accept this parameter.
   • serviceurl = the url to the map service. Your custom map viewer must accept this parameter.
     • for OGC this does not include the service parameters (request=getcapabilities...).
     • for ArcIMS services, this is a combination of the ArcIMS server and the image service name, for example http://ArcIMS_server:port/image_service_name
   
   
   
2. Configure the Geoportal link to launch the map viewer
   
   When configured, this link will appear at the rightmost side of your main menu on the Geoportal interface.
   • Open the gpt.xml file.
   • Find the mapViewerUrl attribute of the <search> element.
   • Input the url, as configured in the first section above, to your map viewer application in the mapViewerUrl element.
   • Save gpt.xml.
   • Restart Tomcat.
   • A link labeled 'Launch Map Viewer' will automatically appear on your Geoportal main menu.