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Common Data Index (CDI) service 

The Common Data Index (CDI) service gives users a highly detailed insight in the availability and geographical spreading of marine data sets, that are managed by data centres, that are connected to the Geo-Seas infrastructure. Moreover it provides a unique interface for requesting access, and if granted, for downloading data sets from these distributed data centres across Europe.

All 26 Geo-Seas partners are connected and have populated the CDI Data Discovery and Access service with their data sets, such as samples, cores, seismic and bathymetric survey data (> 140.000 entries).   

Note: registration in the SeaDataNet User Register is required for submitting data requests and downloading! This in integrated in the CDI user interface.

The CDI service has a major functionality: by means of a data shopping, tracking and download service mechanism users have unified and harmonised access to the data sets, that are managed at the distributed data centres. Furthermore, the data sets are delivered by all data centres in standard data transport formats. 

How does it work?
The process from search to getting access to requested data sets is illustrated and explained below. This allows users to retrieve data sets from distributed data centres in a common way via one unique portal.

CDI process

The CDI User Interface allows to search by a set of criteria. Selected data sets are listed. Geographical locations are indicated on a map. Clicking on the display icon retrieves the full metadata of the data set. This gives information on the what, where, when, how, and who of the data set. It also gives standardised information on the data access restrictions, that apply. The interface features a shopping mechanism, by which selected data sets can be included in a shopping basket.

All users can freely query and browse in the CDI directory; however submitting requests for data access via the shopping basket requires that users are registered in the SeaDataNet central user register, thereby agreeing with the overall SeaDataNet User Licence which has also been adopted by Geo-Seas. This user registration procedure is integrated in the CDI User Interface. 

All data requests are processed automatically by means of the central Request Status Manager (RSM) service, that keeps track of requests, users, and processing. The RSM interacts with the SeaDataNet data cloud, and when needed, with the connected data centres. The RSM dashboard is integrated in the CDI User Interface for registered users. Users also receive a confirmation e-mail of their data set requests. By checking the RSM dashboard users can check regularly the status of their requests and download data sets, after access has been granted. On their turn, data centres can follow via their RSM dashboard all transactions made for their data sets and can handle requests which might require their mediation. 

Each CDI metadata record includes a data access restriction tag. It indicates whether the data is openly available under the CC-BY-4.0 condition, or restricted for negotiation. Open data requests will be processed automatically and requested data and metadata will be delivered from the central data cloud, while requests for restricted data are sent to their data centres for decisioning about the request. The latter might take considerable time as data originators might be consulted. Users will be informed about the process through the RSM dashboard and email.