GeoStac Data Server

GeoSTAC contains much data. All of the GeoSTAC datasets total 55 GB in size. To install all of the data from this website is a major operation that should not be undertaken lightly. You should establish whether you need all of the data or only parts. We recommend at least downloading what is described as the "Minimum Data Set". These data are the essentials that are required for basic GeoSTAC tools to function.

We recommend, as an alternative to downloading the data from the website, that you purchase a complete set of the data in the correct structure for GeoSTAC on a portable hard drive. We believe this is likely to be highly cost effective primarily because the data will have been tested and secondly because it will save many hours of download and install time. Please contact the Spatial Sciences Laboratory at Texas A&M University (TAMU-SSL).

The structure of the data on the hard drive is essential. The GeoSTAC tools will only work if the data they use is where they expect to find it. Although you have full flexibility as to where you put the data initially, once you have chosen a location all data must relate to that choice. The key point is to choose a location on a hard drive that has sufficient room (between 3 and 55GB).

For example you choose to put the data on drive E: - a large drive you have available for data. You must put all the GeoSTAC data on this drive – you do not have the option of putting some of the data elsewhere.

We recommend choosing a fast internal or external (USB 2.0 or Firewire) hard drive and placing the data tree on that starting in folder x:\geoSTAC_Data_Sets (where x: is the letter assigned to the drive in question). Please have at least 3 GB of space free before you start – for installation of the Minimum Data Set. If you plan on installing more than the Minimum Data Set please have sufficient space available – up to 55GB. You should plan on having a temporary working area to download and unpack datasets in addition to this space – that should be at least twice the size of each dataset you are downloading. File sizes are available on the website prior to download.

The necessary data structure for a full data install is contained within a template zip file available for download. The structure for the Minimum Data Set is also available. In addition you can download the entire Minimum Data Set as one zip file, which, although large, is possible. Key point – there are three data install options to choose from –

1. Full Data Structure and self-install of data;
2. Minimum Data Structure and self-install of data;
3. Minimum Data Set in a single zip file (no additional data install required).

Once you have chosen one of the three methods above, download one of the three zip files and place in the root level of your chosen drive, eg E:\. We recommend NOT using additional sub-folders for the root of the GeoSTAC data tree.

Using WinZIP unzip the file as follows.

1. Locate the zip file you downloaded earlier
2. Open the file with WinZip (double click on the file) You should see something like this:
   
3. Click the “Extract” button – and make sure the options available are selected as follows:
   3.1. Set “Extract to:” to be a root folder of a drive (eg C:, D: etc)
   3.2. “All files/folders in archive” is selected
   3.3. “Overwrite existing files” should be checked
   3.4. “Use folder names” MUST be checked
   
4. When the unzip completes verify that you have a new folder x:\geoSTAC_Data_Sets this is the root folder of all your GeoSTAC data. For example:
   

You now have the template data structure for GeoSTAC, or in the case of option 3, you have the Minimum Data Set necessary for GeoSTAC tools.

For option 1 and 2 above (download structure and self-install data) please carefully review the “Data Download Instructions (Help)” on the next page. For these two options your next step is to download individual databases and install according to the Installation Instructions.