Nile Basin Decision Support System

Database server: is a program that contains a collection of the DSS databases and provides database services to the DSS.

Database: is a collection of workspaces with identical structure plus a master template that contains tables related to user and workspace management. All data used and produced in the DSS is saved in a central database. This ensures data integrity and consistency at any time when the datasets are accessed and allows controlled data access according to the access rights defined in the systems manager.

Workspace: is a collection of tables residing within an area of a database. All workspaces contain the exact same set of tables; but with different data in the tables. Datasets in the DSS are organized in workspaces. Usually workspaces represent distinct and specific studies. This organization of data enhances the data access control and allows implementing standardized business processes in corporate environments.

User: A person who can have write and or read access to the database server, DSS databases and/or workspaces depending on his privileges.

Data Management in the DSS

Figure 1 shows a schematic of how data is managed in the DSS. The DSS data is stored in a database, which can have one or more workspace(s). The DSS databases are stored on a database server. DSS users can make connection from their PCs (where the DSS software is installed) to access the DSS databases. The database server and the DSS software can also co-exist on one PC. 

Figure 1: DSS data management

One or more user(s) can have access to one database at one time. The PostgreSQL[1] software (see http://www.postgresql.org/about/ for more details) is the database server (or system) that is used to manage data connection and operations. It is installed when the DSS is installed with its spatial data manager PostGIS (See http://postgis.net/ for more details).