China’s National Earth Observation Data Center provides a data sharing network with satellite imagery, geophysical products, and remote-sensing samples.
Dataset
Unidata Internet Data Distribution
NSF Unidata's IDD distributes near-real-time Earth observations and forecast model output over the internet.
About Unidata Internet Data Distribution
Unidata Internet Data Distribution (IDD) is a system from NSF Unidata for distributing near real-time Earth observations and prediction model output over the internet. Instead of relying on data centers where information is accessed on request, a participating university can ask for specific datasets to be delivered to its computers as soon as they become available from the observing system. Sites with specialized observations can also inject their datasets into the network for other sites to receive.
IDD is built from cooperating installations of the Unidata Local Data Manager (LDM), which select, capture, manage, and distribute data products in an event-driven way. The network operates peer-to-peer, with no central authority, and data-flow agreements are made between individual nodes. The operator states that the IDD is not considered operational, because 24-hour support is not possible, and some data may be experimental. Direct feeds from NSF Unidata's primary node are limited to universities, and the source states that commercial uses, including prediction-market analysis, are not permitted.
Key features
- Delivers near real-time Earth observations and prediction model output over the internet
- Lets sites request specific datasets delivered as soon as they are available
- Peer-to-peer network where any node can send and receive data
- Event-driven distribution built on the Unidata Local Data Manager (LDM)
- Allows sites with specialized observations to inject datasets for other sites
- CONDUIT program distributing high-resolution NCEP model datasets
Best for: University and academic research groups, particularly those at U.S. institutions, that need near real-time weather and Earth observation data feeds.
Good for
- Data products are delivered as soon as they become available, based on its event-driven design
- The operator describes the IDD as robust and very reliable
- Peer-to-peer design with no central authority over data flow
Watch out for
- Not considered operational, since 24-hour support is not possible
- Some data may be experimental in nature
- Direct feeds are limited to universities, and commercial purposes are not permitted
Unidata Internet Data Distribution at a glance
- Official website
- unidata.ucar.edu/data/internet-data-distributi…
- Category
- Research & Data › Open Data & Datasets
- Type
- Dataset
- Platforms
- Web
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Unidata Internet Data Distribution FAQ
Who can receive a direct data feed from NSF Unidata?
The Program Center limits connections to its LDM to universities. In practice, it only feeds hosts whose reverse DNS addresses end in .edu. Associated U.S. academic institutions can contact [email protected] for assistance.
Can users who are not part of a U.S. academic institution receive IDD data?
Users not associated with a U.S. academic institution may be able to arrange a feed from an institution near them by making a request on the LDM-users e-mail list. Requests supporting commercial purposes, including prediction-market analysis, are not permitted.
Is IDD data considered operational?
No. The source states that the IDD is not considered operational because 24-hour support is not possible, and some data may be experimental.
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