The CEOS International Directory Network

George Saxton
NOAA Environmental Information Services - E/EI  
SSMC-3, Room 15532
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA  20910
301-713-1315
FAX:   +1-301-713-1249

The CEOS International Directory Network has been in operation as
a global directory service for Earth science data since 1991.  Using the DIF
data structure and software devloped in support of NASA's Catalog
Interoperability effort, the IDN has three globally distributed, fully
replicated Coordinating Nodes, linked to more than a dozen Cooperating nodes
in ten different countries.  Based on interviews with and feedback from IDN
operators, this presentation briefly describes some of the experiences that
the CEOS community has had in building, maintaining, and populating the IDN.