A Tale of Two Tiers
There are two designed levels of functionality to the whole CYGnus system.
CYGnet
- The first, higher level, CYGnet system is designed around data discovery and allows a mechanism whereby users can search by geographical location and have returned to them a list of web links to features within that area. This requires minimal commitment from data providers but allows exposure of their information to the general public.
CYGnus
- The deeper, data delivery, CYGnus system allows users to search by geographical location and have returned to them a document containing information drawn directly out of participating organisation's data sets.
These two systems are offered externally to each information provider and are designed to be easily plugged into existing interfaces. They are designed around existing web standards and the structure of the URL interface conforms to Web Mapping Service, Web Feature Service and Web Processing Service standards.