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pycsw · on a Docker VPS v3.0.0

Your geospatial metadata catalog

🔒 VPS only

Publish and expose your geospatial metadata to OGC standards (CSW, OGC API – Records), INSPIRE compliant. You install and maintain it on your VPS Docker in France, GDPR compliant.

View compatible offers →FAQ
Hosted in FranceOGC CSW & API RecordsINSPIRE · ISO 19139GDPR CompliantOfficial publisher image
Overview

What is pycsw?

pycsw is an open-source geospatial catalog server written in Python, implementing Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards for discovering and exposing geographic data metadata. It is an official OSGeo (Open Source Geospatial Foundation) project.

It fully implements the OGC CSW (Catalogue Service for the Web) standard in versions 2.0.2 and 3.0, as well as OGC API – Records. pycsw supports numerous metadata schemas — ISO 19139, Dublin Core, FGDC, DIF, Atom — and the INSPIRE profile, essential for European public entities. It offers OGC filters, CQL queries, and remote catalog harvesting.

Lightweight and performant, pycsw can serve large catalogs with minimal memory footprint and supports various backends: PostGIS, SQLite/SpatiaLite, MySQL or Elasticsearch for full-text search. It integrates natively with QGIS, GeoNode, and GeoNetwork, and can be easily deployed via Docker.

Compatible offers

Host pycsw at DINAO

No managed container for pycsw: this application is installed on a VPS hosted in France (1 vCPU / 512 Mo / 2 Go minimum).

pycsw needs a level of access to the machine that the managed container, shared between several customers, does not give. Two VPS hosted in France: DINAO installs and manages it for you, or you administer it yourself.

Technical reason: bind mount of a host path (named volumes only in the managed offer).

Option 2 The simplest

Managed VPS with Docker and the application pre-installed

from €28,70 /month excl. VAT

  • pycsw installed by DINAO when you order
  • The machine is yours alone: the folders pycsw needs are created on it
  • System and Docker managed by DINAO, monitoring included
  • Priority support included (2-hour response time, DINAO business days and hours)
  • Stated, capped resources (2 vCPU, 2 GB, 20 GB): beyond that, a larger size is offered
  • Application updates on request
  • Backups as an option (€20,00 excl. VAT/month)
  • No administrator access to the machine

To use pycsw without installing or administering anything.

Order →

Option 3 100% self-managed

VPS Docker

from €11,00 /month excl. VAT

  • Your virtual machine, full administrator access
  • Docker pre-installed, control panel of your choice
  • Free to install pycsw or any other application, including those that drive Docker
  • Delivered empty: you install and maintain pycsw yourself (or DINAO installs it on quotation)
  • No backup by default (optional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month)
  • No management service by default (optional from €55,00 excl. VAT/month); monitoring as an option

By default you keep full control; but without an additional service, you handle everything: maintenance, configuration, deployment.

Discover the VPS Docker →
CriterionManaged VPS with Docker and the application pre-installedVPS Docker
Who installs pycswDINAO, when you orderNobody by default: VPS delivered with Docker and, at your choice, Portainer / Dockge, without the application. You install it, or DINAO on quotation
Application updatesDINAO, on requestYou
System and DockerDINAO, without a control panel: one VPS, one applicationYou: no management service by default (optional: €55,00 or €75,00 excl. VAT/month, business days)
BackupsOptional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month for 7 days (100 GB quota)None by default; optional: €20,00 excl. VAT/month for 7 days (100 GB quota)
MonitoringIncludedOptional: from €1,00 to €10,00 excl. VAT/month
SupportPriority handling included (2-hour response time, DINAO business days and hours, no guaranteed resolution time)Best effort
IsolationA virtual machine of your own, for this application onlyA virtual machine of your own
ResourcesSized for the OS, Docker and pycsw: 2 vCPU, 2 GB, 20 GB, stated as a cap; beyond that, a larger size is offeredRecommended size for pycsw: 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 50 GB; can be extended
Administrator access (root)NoYes
Applications that require privileged access to the machineYes: the machine is yours aloneYes
Starting price€28,70 excl. VAT/month€11,00 excl. VAT/month (VPS only, without the application)

Options 2 and 3 sized for pycsw (application requirements plus the system and Docker): 2 vCPU, 2 GB, 20 GB for option 2, 2 vCPU, 4 GB, 50 GB for option 3, whose base is larger.

Under the hood

Technical details

vCPU
1 vCPU
ideal : 2 vCPU
Memory
512 Mo
ideal : 2 Go
Disk
2 Go
ideal : 10 Go
Image : geopython/pycsw:3.0.0-beta3 Registry : docker.io Services : pycsw Ports : 8000:8000
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Frequently asked questions

You might be wondering…

About pycsw 6 questions

Is pycsw INSPIRE compatible?

Yes. pycsw supports the INSPIRE metadata profile, making it a suitable choice for local authorities and public bodies required to publish their geographic data under this European directive.

Which GIS tools does it interface with?

pycsw exposes open OGC CSW and OGC API – Records standards: it integrates with QGIS, GeoNode, GeoNetwork, and any client compliant with OGC standards. It can also harvest remote catalogs.

Which storage backend should I choose?

SQLite/SpatiaLite is suitable for small catalogs, PostGIS for production volumes, and Elasticsearch provides fast full-text search for very large catalogs. DINAO advises you based on your volumes.

Where are the data hosted?

On DINAO's French infrastructure, in one of the available data centers. Your metadata and catalogs never leave the territory.

Are technical skills required?

The VPS is not managed by default. You install and maintain the application yourself. An infogérance option can be added to the order.

Is this application tested before it is offered?

This application has not yet passed our automatic deployment test. It can still be installed, but we invite you to contact us before ordering: we will then test it as a priority. The deployment template used was last updated on 3 July 2026. Each new version released by the publisher triggers this test again: the date above therefore follows the version actually offered.

Option 2Option 3 On a VPS 7 questions

One answer per option: the two VPS offers do not cover the same things.

Who installs pycsw on a VPS?

Managed VPSDINAO, when you order

VPS DockerNobody by default: the VPS is delivered with Docker, without the application. You install it, or DINAO on quotation

Who updates pycsw on a VPS?

Managed VPSDINAO, on request

VPS DockerYou

Is the VPS managed?

Managed VPSYes: DINAO manages the system and Docker, without a control panel (one VPS, one application). Monitoring is included

VPS DockerNot by default: you manage the system and Docker. The management service and monitoring can be added as options when ordering

Is my data backed up on a VPS?

Managed VPSAs an option: backup is added when ordering

VPS DockerNone by default; backup can be added as an option when ordering

Do I get administrator (root) access to the VPS?

Managed VPSNo

VPS DockerYes

Do you provide on-call support outside business hours on a VPS?

Managed VPSNo: monitoring is included, interventions take place on business days

VPS DockerNo: monitoring is an option, support is best effort

In which data centre is my service hosted?

In France, in DINAO's private racks within two third-party data centres: Free Pro in Marseille (MAR02) and Euclyde DC1 in Sophia-Antipolis. The operator provides the building, power, cooling and physical security; DINAO operates everything inside its racks, entirely and independently.