The classic definition of a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) technology is basically because it is presented as a decentralized network of servers, which includes geographic data and attributes, metadata, search methods, visualization and evaluation of data services for the management of such data and some mechanism to provide access. But even though these elements are necessary, not sufficient. An IDE also must incorporate policies and institutional arrangements necessary to facilitate the availability of such data and services, which involves both the establishment of protocols for the exchange of information and the willingness to participate in the system.

According to Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE), a "spatial information" consists of "metadata, spatial data sets and spatial data services, the services and network technologies, the agreements on sharing, access and use, and the mechanisms, processes and procedures for coordinating and monitoring established, operated or made ​​available ".

According to Law 14/2010, of July 5 on infrastructure and geographic information services in Spain, an IDE is a "virtual structure network of georeferenced data and interoperable geographic information services distributed across different information systems, accessible via Internet with a minimum of standardized protocols and specifications, in addition to data, their descriptions using metadata and interoperable geographic information services, including search technology and access to such data and the standards for production, management and dissemination ; agreements on their sharing, access and use among producers and between them and the users and the mechanisms, processes and procedures for coordinating and monitoring ".

According to Decree 141/2006 of 18 July, ordering the cartographic activity in the autonomous community of Andalusia, the Spatial Data Infrastructure of Andalusia "consists of georeferenced data distributed in different systems of interconnected information and services according to a standardized set of specifications that facilitate the search and ensuring the interoperability of such data which is accessible through the Internet. "

According to Wikipedia, a Spatial Data Infrastructure integrates data, metadata, services and geographical type information to promote their use and consists of the set of "technologies, policies, standards and human resources to acquire, process, store, distribute and improve the use of geographic information. ". As roads and highways facilitate the transport of vehicles, FDI facilitate the transport of geospatial information to promote the social, economic and environmental.