Connecting to GeoServer and OGC Services
Introduction
GeoServer publishes maps and data in standard protocols devised by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The most common of these protocols are the Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS). The Web Map Service outputs georeferenced map images, while the Web Feature Service outputs raw geospatial data.
With the above standards in mind, once the data is served in GeoServer, connecting to GeoServer means to connect to WMS and WFS services. This document will point to online resources for various mapping clients on how to connect to these OGC services.
Commercial Software
ArcGIS Desktop 10.0
About using OGC service layers http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/ About_using_OGC_service_layers/00sp0000000n000000/
Adding WMS services http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Adding_WMS_services/ 00sp0000000s000000/
Using WMS service layers http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Using_WMS_service_layers/ 00sp0000001n000000/
Setting the coordinate system of a WMS service http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/ Setting_the_coordinate_system_of_a_WMS_service/00sp00000009000000/
Adding a WFS service to ArcMap http://help.arcgis.com/en/arcgisdesktop/10.0/help/index.html#/Adding_a_WFS_service_to_ArcMap/ 00sp0000001m000000/
ArcGIS Desktop 9.3
Connecting to GIS servers http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index.cfm?TopicName=Connecting_to_GIS_servers
ArcGIS Explorer 1500
Add GIS Services http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisexplorer/1500/en/add_gis_services.htm
MapInfo Professional 10.5
Chapter 15: Working with Web Services (pp 398-406) http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/mapinfo_pro/english/10.5/MapInfoProfessionalUserGuide.pdf
MapInfo Professional 10.0
Chapter 14: Working with Web Services (pp 358-365) http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/mapinfo_pro/english/10/MapInfoProfessionalUserGuide.pdf
Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2010
Chapter 2: Accessing Data 0 About Web Services (pp 42-44) http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/mapguide_studio_2010_users_guide.pdf
Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server
Connecting to a Web Map Service (WMS) http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Infr._Map_Server/enu/2012/Help/0000-Studio_U0/0020-Accessin20/0034- Connecti34/0047-Connecti47
Connecting to a Web Feature Service (WFS) http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Infr._Map_Server/enu/2012/Help/0000-Studio_U0/0020-Accessin20/0034- Connecti34/0048-Connecti48
Non-commercial Software
uDig 1.2
Add Data Wizard http://udig.refractions.net/confluence/display/EN/Add+Data+wizard
Web Map Server page http://udig.refractions.net/confluence/display/EN/Web+Map+Server+page
Web Feature Server page http://udig.refractions.net/confluence/display/EN/Web+Feature+Server+page
QGIS 1.6
Chapter 5: Working with OGC Data (pp 77-80) http://download.osgeo.org/qgis/doc/manual/qgis-1.6.0_user_guide_en.pdf
Google Earth
Importing Image Overlays (WMS) http://earth.google.com/support/bin/static.py?page=guide.cs&guide=22373&topic=22376
gvSIG 1.10
Adding a layer using the WMS Protocol http://www.gvsig.org/web/projects/gvsig-desktop/docs/user/gvsig-desktop-1-10-manual-de-usuario/gvsig- desktop-1-10-user-manual/gvsig_freemind_toc_view?content=gvSIG%201.10%20User%20manual/ Viewing%20and%20accesing%20data/Load%20data/Geographical%20data/Raster/ Adding%20a%20layer%20using%20the%20WMS%20protocol
Adding a layer using the WMS Protocol http://www.gvsig.org/web/projects/gvsig-desktop/docs/user/gvsig-desktop-1-10-manual-de-usuario/gvsig- desktop-1-10-user-manual/gvsig_freemind_toc_view?content=gvSIG%201.10%20User%20manual/ Viewing%20and%20accesing%20data/Load%20data/Geographical%20data/Vectorial/ Adding%20a%20layer%20using%20the%20WFS%20protocol