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Tutorial For Registering Your Clearinghouse Node


This tutorial will guide you through the steps involved with registering a new node to the clearinghouse. If at any time during the Add process you encounter an error, the appropriate error message will be displayed in the browser window.

Step 1 of 5: Provide Your Z39.50 Host Name
  • Enter the server name or enter the server IP address of your Z39.50 server. This machine must be accessible via the Internet by this name or number. If you choose to enter the server IP address you must select the "No Host Name" box. This option should only be used if you do not have a host name.
  • Select the "Next->Perform Server Check".
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  • A Domain lookup is performed and the server IP Address is extracted from the results.
Registry Add Node Example


Step 2 of 5: Provide Your Z39.50 Server Port
  • Enter the Z39.50 server port that your server is running on.
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  • Select the "Next->Perform Z39.50 Check".
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  • Tests are run to verify the Z39.50 server is running and accessible via the Internet.
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    • Note: If your Z39.50 server is behine your firewall, this test may fail. Work with your network staff to ensure that your port is available through the firewall.
Registry Add Node Example


Step 3 of 5: Provide Your Z39.50 Search Information
  • Enter the following:
    • Database Name: The name of the database that contains your metadata. This value is specified in your sapi.ini or NT interface.
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    • Title Search: This word will be used to verify that the Z39.50 service is searchable and that the title field can be searched. This should be a word that exists in the title of one or more of your metadata.
    • Text Search: This word will be used to verify that the Z39.50 service is searchable and that the text field can be searched. This should be a word that exists in the text of one or more of your metadata.
    • If no spatial search should be performed, unselect the "Perform Spatial Search Text" box. By default, this option is selected and spatial searches are performed against your node. If you do not want a spatial search performed on this node - unselect this option. You should only un-select this if your metadata does not contain bounding coordinates.

  • Select "Next->Perform Z39.50 Search Tests".
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  • FGDCPing is ran to perform a title, text and spatial search. The server's software implementation and version name are extracted and the geo value is calculated from the results.
Registry Add Node Example


Step 4 of 5: View Your Test Results
  • The number of records returned by the title, text and spatial search, the software implementation name, version and the calculated geo value are displayed for your review.
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  • Select "Next->Continue Registration"
Registry Add Node Example


Step 5 of 5: Complete The Remaining Registration Information.
  • Enter the remaining registration information
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    • Enter the Long Title of the Server. This is the name that appears in the gateway for searching.
    • Enter the Short Title of the Server. This is the name that appears on the selection map. This name cannot be longer than 10 characters.
    • Enter the Abstract. Describe the collection criteria, data coverage, themes, and formats of information served by this Z39.50 service. This field may be used by clients to evaluate the types of information and coverage to perform a selective query or to evaluate query results.
    • Enter the Cost Information. This is the cost basis description.
Registry Add Node Example
Enter the Server Description Information.

  • Select the appropriate ISO server categories to describe your clearinghouse node data holdings. Check all categories for the types of data your node describes.
Registry Add Node Example
Select the approprate ISO server categories.

  • Select the appropriate U.S. Framework geographic data theme(s) to describe your clearinghouse node. Optional for non-U.S. clearinghouse nodes.
Registry Add Node Example
Select the approprate U.S. Framework themes.

  • Select the appropriate web mapping methods/services that are available and can be used to obtain your clearinghouse node data holdings. Check all methods/services that are available. Select the access method to data through the Online Linkage field through a WebURL.
Registry Add Node Example
Select the appropriate server web mapping categories.

  • Previously entered data and extracted Z39.50 server information:
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    • Full Internet Host Name: The name that you entered in Step 1.
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    • Full Internet IP Address: The IP address that was extracted from the domain lookup.
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    • TCP/IP Port Number for Z39.50 Service: The port that you entered in Step 2. This port can not be behind a firewall
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    • Data Index Name (Z39.50 Database Name): The database name that you entered in Step 3.
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    • Valid Word in Database Record Title: The title test word that you entered in Step 3. This should be a word that exists in the title of your data records.
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    • Valid Word Found In A Database Record Text: The text test word that you entered in Step 3. This should be a word that exists in the text of your data records.
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    • GEO Value: The calculated geo value.
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    • Software Implementation: The software implementation was extracted from the search results. This is the implemetation that is running on your Z39.50 server.
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    • Software Version: The software version that was extracted from the search results. This is the version that is on your Z39.50 server.
  • Enter the Remaining Server Host Information:
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    • Platform: This is the platform that the Z39.50 service is running on ex. NT, UNIX, Solaris, etc.
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    • Full WebURL of Related Web Site: WebURL used for linking to your node website.
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    • Server Latitude in Decimal Degrees (DD.D): Latitude, in decimal degrees, of where the Z39.50 server resides. This is used by the browse registry, view on map function to display your server location.
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    • Server Longitude in Decimal Degrees (DD.D): Longitude, in decimal degrees, of where the Z39.50 server resides. This is used by the browse registry, view on map function to display your server location.
Registry Add Node Example
Enter the remaining Server Host Information.

  • Enter the predominant geographic extent of data served. This is used by the gateway search and should include all extents for your data. You should select the "View Selected Coordinates on Map" button to view the entered values on a map.
Registry Add Node Example
Fill in the Correct Geographic Extent of Data Served.

  • Enter the node contact information. This information is used for communication between the clearinghouse and the nodes. All updates, inquires, confirmations and password information will be sent to the registered contact.
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  • After you have made all of the required modifications select the "Submit My Changes" button located at the bottom of the screen.
Registry Add Node Example
Enter the server contact information.


The registration process is now completed and your node is registered in the Clearinghouse. You should receive an email confirming your registration and containing your password, needed for future modification.

Your clearinghouse node will be accessible and searchable through the GSDI and FGDC gateways http://clearinghouse3.fgdc.gov/.


The FGDC Clearinghouse Registry http://registry.gsdi.org/
support@clearinghouse3.fgdc.gov