Abstract: A method for providing information representing physical features of a portion of a three-dimensional surface, the information including data files at different resolution levels. The data files are stored in a hierarchical file system. A hash value is computed from a file designator of a data file and is assigned to the data file. The data file is stored according to the assigned hash value in the file system. A request hash value is received from the external device, and a data file that has an assigned value corresponding to the request hash value is provided to the external device. A method for receiving such information is also provided, in which information including an information designator is requested. A request hash value is computed from the information designator and transmitted to the server. A data file that includes the requested information is received from the remote server.