How to Install GeoServer on Windows Server 2019 / 2022
How to Install GeoServer Server on Windows Server 2019 / 2022. In this tutorial we will introduce GeoServer with it’s benefits and move onto installation phase.
Geoserver is an open source application based on JAVA that is used to share the geospatial data via opensource technology. Thanks to that technology servers can handle large set of mapped data that users can share, process and edit the geospatial data, as required. It helps to display the information to the world. Follow this article to learn how to Install GeoServer Server on Windows Server.
What is Geoserver?
GeoServer is an open source server designed for users to easily access, exchange and make use of geospatial data. It is a server written in Java that provides information related to geospatial data on the client’s request and is further used for sharing, processing and editing. You can install or download it on your local screen as it is free software. But, being written in Java, you must install the Java Runtime Environment. Also, it is a cross platform, i.e., compatible with all major operating systems, including Linux, MS Windows, and macOS.
The main idea behind designing the server was to make it easier for users to gain access to data behind maps and further use it for analysis and modeling. It has the ability to manage thousands of map layers and produces high quality graphical images of maps.
Also, it excels at handling both raster and vector large datasets.
In 1994, an international voluntary consensus standards organization named Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) was launched, comprising 400+ governmental, nonprofit, commercial, and research organizations worldwide. OGC’s main motive was to develop and implement open standards for geospatial content and services.
Another key aspect of Geoserver is it uses open standard interfaces, such as WFS, WCS, WPS, WMS, Tile Caching, etc., to publish information from any major spatial data source. It supports a browser based management interface connected with several data sources in the backend.
Launched under the GPL License, the server has become an easy method to connect existing data to virtual globes. Additionally, it allows reading several formats, such as MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle Spatial, PostGIS, GeoTIFF, IBM Db2, etc.
Advantages of Geoserver
GeoServer is most commonly used for sharing, processing, and editing geospatial data. It is a free, open source server with various benefits, including:
1. Collects and Shares Data from a variety of data sources
GeoServer supports both raster and vector datasets. Raster datasets include JPG files, PNG files, image pyramid, GDAL formats, NetCDF, GeoTiff, Oracle GeoRaster as well as Image Mosaic. For vector datasets, it includes Oracle Spatial, MySql, SQL Server, Shapefiles, External WFS, PostGIS, ArcSDE, DB2, etc.
2. Uses Standard Protocols to Share Safe and Quick Images
Data served in the form of an image is considered safe and secure. The server uses SLD standards to control the appearance of each map layer. Further, it helps in coloring and labeling the maps.
3. Allows Sharing Full vector data to Clients
WFS clients are authorized to download and modify vector data. The clients can use this data for performing spatial analysis, mapping, and running other operations. Further, the clients can use the WFS T protocol to send the modified vector data back to the server for updating stored information.
4. Supports Raster Data Values
All the GIS clients are allowed to request actual raster data for performing spatial analysis. The server allows using the WCS protocol to send raster data values to the client.
5. Tiling Cache
GeoServer integrates with GeoWebCache which enables users to recombine tiles and cache map images from different sources, such as WMS. In order to accelerate and optimize map image delivery, it implements different service interfaces like Google Maps KML, Virtual Earth, TMS, etc.
6. Web Processing Service
It supports Geospatial algorithms that include chaining of processes and the creation of powerful visualization using the WMS interface. Users can call for these algorithms through GeoServer’s WPS interface.
Follow this post to show you how to install GeoServer on Windows Server 2019 / 2022.
How to Install GeoServer Windows
Prerequisites
- A server running Windows Server 2019 or 2022 operating system along with RDP access.
- A user with administrative privileges.
- Minimum 4 GB of RAM with 2 Cores CPU.
Install Java
The GeoServer is a Java based software. So, you have a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 8 or Java 11 installed on your system. Follow the below steps to install Java 11 on your server.
Step 1 – Open your web browser and download the Java 11 from the Oracle official download page.
Step 2 – Once the download is completed, double click on the downloaded file to start the installation. You should see the Java welcome screen:
Step 3 – Click on the Next button. You should see the Java installation path selection screen:
Step 4 – Select the default path or change it as per your requirement and click on the Next button to start the installation. Once the Java is installed, you should see the following screen:
Step 5 – Click on the Close button to close the installation screen.
Install GeoServer on Windows Server
GeoServer provides a graphical installer to make the installation process easier. Follow the below steps to install the GeoServer on your server.
Step 1 – Click here to download the GeoServer Windows installer from the SourceForge website.
Step 2 – Once the download is completed, double click on the downloaded file to start the installation. You should see the GeoServer welcome screen:
Step 3 – Click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer License agreement screen:
Step 4 – Agree to the License and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer installation location selection screen:
Step 5 – Select your installation location and click on the Next button. You should see the start menu directory selection screen:
Step 6 – Select your start menu directory and click on the Next button. You should see the Java path selection screen:
Step 7 – Select your Java path and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer data directory selection screen:
Step 8 – Define the path of your data directory and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer set admin credential screen:
Step 9 – Define your admin username, password and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer port selection screen:
Step 10 – Define your port and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer execution selection screen:
Step 11 – Select “Install as a service” and click on the Next button. You should see the GeoServer install summary screen:
Step 12 – Click on the Install button to start the installation. Once the GeoServer is installed. You should see the following screen:
Step 13 – Click on the Finish button to close the GeoServer installation wizard.
Access GeoServer Web Interface
At this point, GeoServer is installed and listens on port 8080 on localhost. Now, open your web browser and access the GeoServer web interface using the URL http://localhost:8080/geoserver. You should see the GeoServer welcome screen:
Provide GeoServer admin credentials and click on the login button. You should see the GeoServer dashboard on the following screen:
How to Remove GeoServer
If you want to uninstall the GeoServer from your server, go to the directory where GeoServer was installed and run the uninstall.exe file. This will remove the GeoServer from your server. You can also remote it using the standard Windows program removal.
How to Install GeoServer on Windows Server 2019 / 2022 Conclusion
In this post, we explained how to install GeoServer on a Windows server. You can now deploy the GeoServer in your organization to view and edit geospatial data.
