Operating Tool for a Distributed Data and Information Management System

Abstract

The German Remote Sensing Data Center has developed the Data Information and Management System - DIMS [1], a multi-mission ground system that went into operation early 2000 with the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM and supports multiple upcoming programs and missions. DIMS provides ground system services for earth observation product processing, archiving, ordering and delivery. DIMS successfully uses newest technologies within its services. During the next years more than 50 processing systems for earth observation data are to be integrated and set up for operations in DIMS. Efficient and homogenous administration and operation of complex information systems is a fundamental aspect in modern system design. Experiences from earlier archiving system developments allowed us to develop a set of scalable services and frameworks that can be centrally administered. Reuse of software components saves costs in current and future missions and increases uniformity during the operational phase. This paper presents the DIMS Operating Tool as the solution taken to simplify operation tasks for this large and distributed system.