GeoServer, GeoWebCache + OpenLayers: The OpenGeo Stack

The OpenGeo Stack workshop will start with an introduction to the stack, providing an overview of each of the major components:

GeoServer - A feature rich, standards compliant server that connects information to the geospatial web. GeoServer reads data in a wide variety of spatial formats and publishes that data on the geoweb in formats like KML and GeoRSS.

GeoWebCache - A WMS tile-caching library which provides an effective solution for the efficient serving of web maps.

OpenLayers - A browser based web mapping toolkit built on Ajax technology. OpenLayers provides a web based front end for a number of web mapping technologies such as WMS and WFS.

Following the introduction workshop attendees will jump into exercises which provide hands on exposure to the OpenGeo stack. Initial exercises will focus on working with GeoServer to publish geospatial data. Attendees will work through steps to add some simple shapefiles to GeoServer, as well as set up map styles for visualization.

Continuing on the workshop will focus on the OpenLayers library and creating a map to visualize the data published in previous exercises. Attendees will also learn how to improve the performance of the map serving process via GeoWebCache, setting up a tile based web map.

Finally the workshop will move toward publishing data on the geoweb. Attendees will be introduced to GeoServer support for KML and use Google Earth to view data published in previous exercises. Time permitting some of the more advanced KML features such as templates, super overlays, and geosearch will also be touched on.