Introduction

Traditionally, data exchanges have relied on a centralized architecture — where both the control plane (responsible for cataloging, authorization, and access management) and data plane (where the datasets are stored and served) are hosted centrally. While functional, this model faces challenges of scalability, data governance, and security risks, especially as data volumes and contributors grow. The GDI federated architecture addresses these challenges by enabling a distributed deployment model, called the GDI node. It redefines how geospatial organizations share and access data securely, without losing ownership or control.

Think of it like a delivery app that lets you browse and order from multiple grocery stores across a city — you get access to what you need, but the app never takes custody of the stores’ stock. The stores retain full control of their inventory, yet users benefit from easy, unified access. In the same way, a federated data exchange connects multiple distributed data systems through a central discovery and authorization layer, ensuring that data stays protected at its source while being discoverable and accessible on demand.

Why Federated?

• Decentralized & Secure: Data remains within the provider’s environment, minimizing transfer and exposure risks.
• Privacy by Design: Organizations retain control of their datasets and access policies.
• High Performance: Distributed nodes enable faster access and optimized system load.
• Interoperable: Built on open standards for seamless cross-platform integration.
• Scalable: Add new nodes effortlessly without downtime or architectural disruption.

What our Partners Say

“Thanks to GDI and their federated data infrastructure deployment, SIRPI Analytics is now self-hosting geospatial data on behalf of our clients and providing cutting edge data analytics services. The GDI node has enabled us to focus more on client delivery taking away some major pain points associated with building our own technology stack.“

Dr. Anand Lakshmanan, Founder & CEO
– Sirpi Products and Services Private Limited

“At the Geo-Intel Lab, we see the Federated GDI as a catalyst for innovation — connecting diverse datasets and stakeholders to build next-generation geospatial platforms that drive public-good applications and national resilience.“

Dr Roshan Srivastav, Associate Professor, IIT Tirupati
– Project Director, IITTNiF, Head, Geo-Intel Lab, IITTNiF

GDI and Its Architecture

The Integrated Geospatial Data-sharing Interface (GDI), an initiative supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is a pioneering effort to establish a secure, interoperable, and high-performance geospatial data exchange for Indian geospatial datasets. The GDI Data Plane is the operational core responsible for data storage, access, and monitoring. It ensures secure, scalable, and high-performance management of geospatial data, allowing providers to retain ownership while enabling efficient, controlled sharing. The GDI Data Plane connects seamlessly with the GDI Control Plane, comprising the DX Catalogue Server and DX Authorization Server, which govern dataset discovery, authorization, and access management. While the Control Plane remains centralized to ensure governance and consistency, data itself is distributed across federated nodes — enhancing both performance and security by keeping data close to its source.

System Requirements