EPOS: A Novel Use of \{CERIF\} for Data-intensive Science

Abstract One of the key aspects of the approaching data-intensive science era is integration of data through interoperability of systems providing data products or visualization and processing services. Far from being simple, interoperability requires robust and scalable e-infrastructures capable of supporting it. In this work we present the case of EPOS, a plan for data integration in the field of Earth Sciences. We describe the design of its e-infrastructure and show its main characteristics. One of the main elements enabling the system to integrate data, data products and services is the metadata catalogue based on the \{CERIF\} metadata model. Such a model, modified to fit into the general e-infrastructure design, is part of a three-layer metadata architecture. \{CERIF\} guarantees a robust handling of metadata, which is in this case the key to the interoperability and to one of the feature of the \{EPOS\} system: the possibility of carrying on data intensive science orchestrating the distributed resources made available by \{EPOS\} data providers and stakeholders.