Do you have an existing repository and are considering integrating it to the National Repository Platform?
Why integrate with the NRP environment?
- Geographically distributed data storage within NRP infrastructure
- Option to use Kubernetes for running your repository
- Unified authentication across data services, including institutional login
- Visibility of your repository in the National Catalogue of Repositories (NKR)
- Discoverability of datasets in the National Metadata Directory (NMA) (useful, for example, when reporting results to RIV)
- Ability to assign DOIs (free of charge during the active period of the sister project CARDS)
- Ensured semantic interoperability of generic metadata with DCAT AP and DataCite through mapping to the CCMM metadata model
- Basic methodological support
1. Get familiar with the conditions
Before starting the integration process, it is important to understand the key requirements and rules that apply to repositories operating as part of the National Repository Platform.
Carefully review the document Conditions for Creating New and Modifying Existing Thematic Repositories in the National Repository Platform. This document defines key terms and sets out which services are provided by the NRP as an infrastructure, and which responsibilities lie with the repository administrator.
Pay particular attention to Section 4.3, which focuses on the integration of existing repositories into the NRP.
2. What does integration into the NRP environment involve?
Connecting your repository to the National Repository Platform involves a series of steps that must be completed before the repository can be integrated into the infrastructure. A more detailed description can be found in the Rules (see above), but for completeness the key requirements are listed here:
- Provide repository information to the National Catalogue of Repositories
- Connect the repository to the National Metadata Directory (NMA), which aggregates metadata from repositories within the NRP. The repository’s metadata must be mapped to the Czech Core Metadata Model (CCMM).
- Integrate the repository with e-INFRA AAI (CZ)
- Ensure the repository has an API for data transfer. The API must support transferring data files and must have publicly available documentation describing how to use it
- Enable the assignment of persistent identifiers (PIDs) within the repository
- Meet basic cybersecurity standards and support monitoring and logging.
3. Contact the methodology team
Once you are ready to begin integrating your repository into the NRP environment, contact the methodology team. They will provide you with up-to-date information, answer any questions you may have, and connect you with specialised technical support as needed.