TileServer GL

TileServer GL is an open-source server application that hosts and serves vector and raster map tiles. It utilizes GL styles to render maps for various web and mobile clients, including MapLibre GL JS, Android, iOS, Leaflet, and OpenLayers. The software functions as a backend infrastructure for geospatial data visualization, allowing users to manage and distribute map data from their own hardware.

Deployment occurs via Node.js or Docker. Users can run the server by providing a single MBTiles file or a combination of a configuration JSON file, a style file, and an MBTiles file. The application is available in two distinct versions: a full version that includes server-side rasterization and a light version written in pure JavaScript. The light version removes native dependencies, which allows it to run in environments where native binaries cannot be installed, though it lacks the server-side rasterization capabilities provided by MapLibre GL Native.

Key features

• Server-side raster rendering of vector tiles via MapLibre GL Native
• Support for vector and raster map tiles
• Integration with OpenMapTiles data
• WMTS support for GIS clients
• Configuration via JSON files for custom styles and data
• Public URL setting to prevent host header poisoning
• Hostname restriction via environment variables for security
• Support for MBTiles file formats

The architecture allows the server to act as a bridge between raw map data and the client-side rendering engine. It is designed for developers and GIS specialists who need to host their own map data and maintain control over their infrastructure. The system supports various output formats to ensure compatibility with different mapping libraries and mobile platforms. For production environments, the software includes security mechanisms to mitigate host header poisoning, such as the use of canonical public URLs or a restricted list of allowed hostnames via the TILESERVER_GL_ALLOWED_HOSTS environment variable.

This software provides a self-hosted solution for serving map tiles with flexible styling options for geospatial applications.