MapServer — The Complete Guide: Open-Source Publishing of Maps and Web Mapping Services
MapServer is one of the long-standing map servers in the open-source world. It takes vector and raster layers, renders them into map images quickly, and serves them on the web so that any program or site supporting OGC standards can display them.
MapServer
MapServer Project (OSGeo)
An open-source map server for publishing geospatial data and interactive maps on the web.
Get it from the vendorWhat you get
- Many data sources — vector and raster files and databases such as PostGIS.
- OGC services — publishing layers that open in QGIS, web applications and other systems.
- Fast rendering — map images generated on the fly, even for heavy layers.
- Mapfile — all settings in one text file that is easy to copy, compare and keep under version control.
- Ready installs — the MS4W package on Windows and package managers on Linux.
How it differs from GeoServer
In GeoServer you manage layers in a friendly web interface; in MapServer everything is written in configuration files. That needs more server setup skill but gives precise control and an easily reproducible configuration. Neither is a GIS for editing and analysis — they are for publishing.
Related tools
For a map server with a graphical admin interface — GeoServer. For the database the layers are drawn from — PostGIS. For a complete organisational map portal — GeoNode.
GeoServer
Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo)
A map server — publishes GIS layers as WMS and WFS services for any software.
Get it from the vendorPostGIS
PostGIS Project Steering Committee (OSGeo)
An extension to the PostgreSQL database that adds storage, indexing and analysis of geospatial data through SQL queries.
Get it from the vendorGeoNode
GeoNode Project (OSGeo)
A web platform for building an organisational spatial data infrastructure: upload, style, share and publish layers and maps.
Get it from the vendor
QGIS
QGIS.org
Open-source GIS for spatial analysis, layer work and map production.
Get it from the vendorThe bottom line
MapServer suits municipalities and utilities that want to share planning and infrastructure maps quickly and reliably. Free for commercial use too, for anyone comfortable working in configuration files.