Open Data #3: CKAN Environment

         CKAN is a web-based application developed using the Python programming language and utilizes PostgreSQL as its primary database. The CKAN environment consists of multiple components working together to support data management, discovery, and access. The key components of the CKAN environment include the following:

• NGINX
  Acts as a reverse proxy, handling and routing user requests to the appropriate backend services.
• CKAN Application
  Serves as the core of the system, responsible for managing datasets, metadata, and user interactions. CKAN integrates with Apache Solr for search functionality, Redis for caching, and connects to the PostgreSQL database server for data storage.
• Apache Solr
  Functions as the indexing and search server, storing indexed data and supporting efficient search and retrieval of datasets based on user queries.
• Redis
  Operates as a cache management system, improving system performance by reducing database load and accelerating response times.
• PostgreSQL Server
  Acts as the database management system (DBMS), storing structured CKAN data, including metadata and dataset-related information.

Together, these components form a scalable and reliable architecture that enables CKAN to efficiently support Open Data portals and data catalog systems for organizations of all sizes.

Therefore, installing CKAN requires the complete setup of all related environment components to ensure that the system operates properly and efficiently.

CKAN Installation

Government agencies in Thailand have published official guidelines for installing CKAN, provided by both the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) and the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi). These resources offer step-by-step instructions and best practices for CKAN deployment. Additional information can be found at the following references: NECTEC CKAN Installation Guide: https://gitlab.nectec.or.th/opend/installing-ckan/-/blob/master/from-package-2.9.md GBDi CKAN Installation Overview: https://bigdata.go.th/big-data-101/data-engineering/ckan-installation/ CKAN can be deployed in various environments, including Virtual Machines (VMs), container-based environments, or on cloud services. The choice of deployment model primarily depends on the readiness, infrastructure, and operational requirements of the system administrators.

CKAN Version

         CKAN has been continuously developed and improved over time. The current stable version is CKAN 2.10.1 (Reference: https://docs.ckan.org/en/2.10/maintaining/releases.html#release-types). However, most CKAN platforms currently used by government agencies in Thailand are still operating on CKAN versions 2.8.x and 2.9.x, which remain widely adopted due to system stability, compatibility with existing extensions, and operational familiarity.