ArcGIS Image Extension for Server

The ArcGIS Image Extension is an extension of ArcGIS for Server developed by Esri. It is a license added to ArcGIS for Server that extends the capability of serving raster data. Thus, it can manage and process large collections of images.

The extension allows users to serve a mosaic dataset or a raster layer containing a mosaic function. It provides dynamic mosaicking and on-the-fly processing, therefore enabling the dataset of the imagery to be available for the users.

Concepts of image services
Image services are a core service of ArcGIS for Server and support a large range of web standards, including the Open Geospatial Consortium Web Map Services (WMS) or Web Coverage Service Interface Standard (WCS), KML, SOAP, and REST. Image services allow serving raster datasets directly without requiring data conversion, serving images as a background, and providing raster data for analysis.

The source for the image service can be a raster dataset, a mosaic dataset, or a layer file referencing a raster dataset or mosaic dataset.

Image services capabilities
An image service is published with imaging capabilities, allowing clients to connect it using an ArcGIS for Server connection or via REST. Users may also publish an image service with WMS or WCS capabilities.



An image service provides access to raster data through a web service. Users can share the data as part of a document, such as a map or globe document, or as part of other services, such as a geodata service.

Users can create a service definition file that contain information about service properties, service type, and data references using ArcGIS for Desktop. When publishing an image service, the service definition and all the data are moved onto the server. Sharing a mosaic dataset or a raster layer containing a mosaic function requires the ArcGIS Image extension.

The ArcGIS Server Image extension
The Image extension expands the image services capabilities to serve mosaic datasets which can manage large volumes of images. The mosaic dataset stores collections of images and rasters as a catalog.



Uses
With this extension, users can do the following tasks :


 * Provide imagery access instantly after acquisition with dynamic mosaicking and on-the-fly processing.
 * Minimize data duplication when maximizing the amount of imagery products to be created because image processing and serving are combined.
 * Discard the reliance on static mosaics and helps users to request custom imagery with client-controllable parameters.

Advantages
The following are advantages of using this extension :
 * Provide a quick access to large volumes of imagery.
 * Minimize data duplication while maximizing the amount of imagery products that can be created because image processing and serving has been combined.
 * Automatic update of image services when new imagery is available
 * Ability to control order of overlapping imagery
 * Simplify data management and maintainability
 * Enable multiple imagery products to be created directly from a single source
 * Remove the requirement to preprocess, premosaic, or load imagery
 * Resolve the issue related to pregenerating mosaics

License Requirements
The ArcGIS Image Extension for Server requires ArcGIS for Server Standard or Advanced license to create or edit mosaic datasets, which are created within a geodatabase.

Users with ArcGIS for Server Basic license are be able to view mosaic datasets but cannot make any modifications.