The GRASS Server

The GRASS Server is a client-server system built on top of GRASS, which permits access to GRASS data and functionality from clients via TCP/IP. The client may be for example a PHP-WebGIS application integrating UMN Mapserver and GRASS functionalities. WebGIS is nowadays one of the most rapidly growing GIS sectors. Via WebGIS, geographic information are getting available for more and more users using many different kinds of devices, ranging form PC to PDA and mobile phones. While most of the current WebGIS applications are oriented to interactive viewing and querying, GIS analysis are going to be integral part of WebGIS services. GRASS has a relatively long tradition in WebGIS analysis (e.g. GRASSLinks). The web applications using GRASS were however usually based on execution of GRASS modules. That has some essential drawbacks like security, performance, session management etc. The GRASS Server makes the use of GRASS in Web applications more robust and secure