WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION

Guidance Supplementary to WMO Technical Regulations, Volume I - General Meteorological Standards and Recommended Practices, Section A - World Weather Watch

GUIDE TO WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM SYSTEM (WIS)

2012 edition

WMO-No. 1061

Organization-GenevaSecretariat of the World Meteorological Organization Geneva-Switzerland

CONTENTS
GUIDE TO THE WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM (WIS)
1 INTRODUCTION 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8

1.1 Purpose of this Guide 1.2 Benefits of WIS 2 ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Organization of WIS 2.2 Compliance with Required WIS Functions 2.3 Interaction among WIS Centres 2.4 Implementation of WIS 2.5 Discovery, Access and Retrieval Function 2.6 Robustness and Reliability of Components 2.7 Collection and Dissemination Services 3 DESIGNATION PROCEDURES PROCEDURES FOR WIS CENTRES

3.1 General 3.2 Procedure for a Global Information System Centre (GISC) 3.3 Procedure for a Data Collection or Production Centre (DCPC) 3.4 Procedure for a National Centre (NC) 4 FUNCTIONS OF WIS

4.1 Roles in and Review of WIS Functions 4.2 List of WIS Functions 4.3 Functional Architecture of WIS 4.4 Data Flow among WIS Functions 4.5 Functional Requirements of a GISC 4.6 Functional Requirements of a DCPC 4.7 Functional Requirements of an NC

WIS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 15

5.1 General 5.2 WIS-TechSpec-1: Uploading of Metadata for Data and Products 5.3 WIS-TechSpec-2: Uploading of Data and Products 5.4 WIS-TechSpec-3: Centralization of Globally Distributed Data 5.5 WIS-TechSpec-4: Maintenance of User Identification and Role Information 5.6 WIS-TechSpec-5: Consolidated View of Distributed Identification and Role Information 5.7 WIS-TechSpec-6: Authentication of a User 5.8 WIS-TechSpec-7: Authorization of a User Role 5.9 WIS-TechSpec-8: DAR Catalogue Search and Retrieval 5.10 WIS-TechSpec-9: Consolidated View of Distributed DAR Metadata Catalogues 5.11 WIS-TechSpec-10: Downloading Files via Dedicated Networks 5.12 WIS-TechSpec-11: Downloading Files via Non-dedicated Networks 5.13 WIS-TechSpec-12: Downloading Files via Other Methods 5.14 WIS-TechSpec-13: Maintenance of Dissemination Metadata 5.15 WIS-TechSpec-14: Consolidated View of Distributed Dissemination Metadata Catalogues 5.16 WIS-TechSpec-15: Reporting of Quality of Service 6 METADATA GUIDANCE

APPENDIX A LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ABBREVIATIONS APPENDIX B SELECTED WMO MANUALS MANUALS AND GUIDES RELEVANT RELEVANT TO WIS APPENDIX C APPROVED WIS CENTRES CENTRES

1.

INTRODUCTION

WIS should enhance the availability of time-

1.1

Purpose of this Guide

critical data and products at centres in all nations, ensuring the effective provision of services to their populations and economies; WIS should open up the WMO private (the WMO Global Telecommunication network

1.1.1 In conjunction with the Manual on WIS, the Guide to WIS is designed to ensure adequate uniformity information, and standardization in the data, and communications practices,

System) to other types of environmental data so that all programmes have stronger infrastructure support; and WIS should exploit opportunities as they become available with technology innovation.
2. ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES RESPONSIBILITIES

procedures and specifications employed among WMO Members in the operation of WIS as it supports the mission of WMO. The Manual on WIS (WMO-No. 1060), Annex VII to the WMO Technical Regulations, contains standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications. The Guide to WIS contains additional information concerning practices, procedures and specifications which Members are invited to follow or implement in establishing and conducting their arrangements in compliance with WMO Technical Regulations and in developing services. 1.1.2 Because WIS cross cuts all WMO related discipline procedures areas, and as many well other as WMO practices, WIS. practices, specifications intersect meteorological and hydrological

2.1

Organization of WIS

WMO Members implement and operate WIS, using existing centres with some additional or modified capabilities. Centres participating in WIS are categorized by three types: Global Information System Centres (GISCs), Data Collection or Production Centres

(DCPCs), National Centres (NCs). Refer to Manual on WIS 4 for a description of the functions of the three types of WIS Centres. 2.2 Compliance with Required WIS Functions

Recommended

standard

procedures and specifications are primarily defined in their specific publications, for example the Guide on the Global Data Processing and Forecast System (WMO-No. 305) and the Guide to the Global Observing Systems (WMO-No. 488), among others. 1.2 Benefits of WIS

As required per WMO-No. 49, Vol. I, A.3 and Manual on WIS 2 and 4, WIS Centres shall maintain compliance with required WIS functions. The Guide to WIS contains additional guidance on practices, procedures and specifications for WIS functions, supplementing the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications for WIS functions set out in the Manual on WIS (WMO-No. 1060). 2.3 Interaction among WIS Centres

1.2.1 WIS provides an overarching approach to data and information management for all WMO and related international programmes, leveraging the long-standing collaborative culture of WMO as well as new technologies. 1.2.2 WMO Members expect to realize specific benefits from WIS: WIS should enhance the collection of critical data needed to monitor and predict aspects of the environment, including hazards; WIS should catalogue the full range of data and products, simplifying search and assuring equitable access per WMO policies;

As required per Manual on WIS 2.3, GISCs shall connect to each other by the WIS Core Network. Data, products and metadata shall flow to a GISC from DCPCs and from NCs within its area of responsibility. An illustration of likely interaction among WIS Centres is provided in Figure 1 (next page). Note: Named centres are illustrative examples and do not comprise a complete list of likely WIS Centres.

Figure 1. Types of WIS Centres and Typical INteractions

2.5.2 A typical user of WIS DAR should find 2.4 As Implementation of WIS required per in Manual two on WIS 2.4, parts: WIS is available data and products using a Web browser or other Internet tool. The searcher should be able to discover available data and products by browsing the catalogue or by searching the catalogue using discovery concepts such as subject keywords, geographic extent, or temporal range. 2.5.3 A typical user of WIS DAR should first receive a list of relevant items with associated metadata such as originator, data type, generation date, use constraints, and the like. Once desired data or products have been identified, a user may request immediate retrieval ("pull") or subscription for recurring delivery ("push") if locally available, or be referred to another centre holding the item. The WIS Centre having the item should then facilitate delivery through any of a broad range of online and offline transmission options. In the case of a subscription, the WIS Centre should maintain further information to support recurring delivery. 2.6 Robustness and Reliability of Components

implemented

parallel

continued

evolution of the WMO Global Telecommunication System (GTS), and extension of WMO services through Discovery, Access and Retrieval (DAR) facilities, as well as flexible timely delivery. 2.5 Discovery, Access and Retrieval Function

2.5.1 As required per WMO-No. 49, Vol. I, A.3, and Manual on WIS 2.5, WIS is based on metadata catalogues describing data and products available across WMO, plus metadata describing dissemination and access options. The Discovery, Access and Retrieval (DAR) function of WIS is the primary realization Centres. of the WIS comprehensive catalogue, maintained collaboratively by all WIS

As required per Manual on WIS 2.6, high robustness and reliability of WIS components are essential to the operation of WIS. Indicators of performance are

evaluated in the designation procedure for WIS Centres, to include assurance that data content flowing via WIS network technologies fully satisfies requirements for security, authenticity, and reliability. Some specifications of service levels are identified within the Manual on WIS and this Guide to WIS, but further specifications can be anticipated. 2.7 Collection Collection and Dissemination Services

3.2

Procedure for a Global Information System

Centre (GISC) Procedures for designation as a GISC are given in Manual on WIS 3.2, in keeping with WMO-No. 49, Vol. I, A.3. During the initial phase of WIS Centre designations, ICG-WIS analyzes GISC service offers and formulates a recommendation for designation. 3.3 Procedure for a Data Collection or

2.7.1 Refer to Manual on WIS 2.7 for standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications on this topic. 2.7.2 With regard to satellite-based data and products, the WMO Service Integrated (IGDDS) Global Data user Dissemination addresses:

Production Centre (DCPC) Procedures for designation as a DCPC are given in Manual on WIS 3.3, in keeping with WMO-No. 49, Vol. I, A.3. During the initial phase of WIS Centre designations, ICG-WIS determines which centres should be integrated in WIS, analyzes DCPC service offers and formulates a recommendation for designation. 3.4 Procedure for a National Centre (NC)

requirements review; data concentration: interregional data exchange; data dissemination; data discovery; data access on request; data delivery to authorized users; and, data management, including interoperable catalogue, quality of service monitoring and user support. 2.7.3 In addition to satellite-based data and products, IGDDS should distribute a basic subset of the information intended for global exchange. 2.7.4 IGDDS calls for regional dissemination

3.4.1 Procedures for designation as an NC are given in Manual on WIS 3.4, in keeping with WMO No. 49, Vol. I, A.3. 3.4.2 National Meteorological Centres are expected to be NCs. A WMO Member may also elect to designate other centres as NCs.

components linked in a global network for interregional data exchange. Each regional component should include a DCPC and should ensure routine dissemination by various means including a satellite-based Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-S) service covering its region.
3. DESIGNATION PROCEDURES PROCEDURES FOR WIS CENTRES CENTRES

3.4.3

In addition

to the

data and

metadata

requirements of an NC set out in Manual on WIS, a typical NC should: collect, generate or disseminate observational data and products; and, provide to other WIS Centres certain observations and products intended for global dissemination or for regional or specialized distribution. 3.4.4 The "Study on policy-level implications of the future WMO information system" (described in Cg-XIV 3.1.2.1) asserts that introduction of WIS will not result in new responsibilities or additional resource requirements for most Members. The stated expectation is that WIS would result in lower costs, especially for the least developed Members, through expanded use of commercial off-the-shelf technology and increased use of the Internet.

3.1

General

In addition to the provisions of Manual on WIS 3, the Inter-Commission Coordination Group on WIS (ICG-WIS) reviews relevant documents, including the WIS User Requirements, the WIS Functional Architecture, Specifications. and the WIS Compliance

4.

FUNCTIONS OF WIS

A116 Unpack Information A117 Verify Correct Telecommunication Attributes of Information A12 Collect, Generate and Archive Regional, Programme-related and Specialised Information & Create Metadata A121 Collect Regional, Specialised and Programmerelated Observations A122 Check Meteorological Content of Observations A123 Archive A124 Generate Regional, Specialised and Programme-related Products A125 Generate Metadata A126 Unpack Information A127 Verify Correct Telecommunication Attributes of Information A13 Collect and Cache Global Information A131 Unpack Information A132 Associate Information with DAR Metadata A133 Verify Correct Communication Attributes of Information A134 Maintain and make available Cache of Global Information for 24 Hours A2 Assign User Role A3 Maintain and Expose Catalogue of Services and Information A31 Search DAR Metadata Catalogue A32 Maintain and Expose Consolidated DAR

4.1

Roles in and and Review of WIS Functions

4.1.1 Roles in and review of WIS functions are given in Manual on WIS 4.1. 4.1.2 Each of the relevant user requirements processes across WMO should link into the WIS user requirements process. For instance, observing program needs should be incorporated into WIS requirements through linkage with the Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR) process in the Manual of the Global Observing System (WMO-No. 544). 4.1.3 Current WIS User Requirements are described in a technical document available at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WIS/docum ents/WIS-RRR.doc . 4.2 List of WIS Functions

WIS Centres collectively support the major WIS functions as described in Manual on WIS 4.2. The required standard interfaces to these functions are described in Manual on WIS 5, WIS Technical Specifications. 4.3 Functional Architecture of WIS

The Functional Architecture of WIS is provided as supplementary guidance for WIS Centres in a technical document As available shown in at that http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WIS/docum ents/WIS-FuncArch.doc. document, the following list provides one possible method for decomposing the required major WIS functions into more detailed functions. A1 Collect Observations, Generate Products, Create Metadata and Archive Information A11 Collect, Generate and Archive National Information & Create Metadata A111 Collect National Observations A112 Check Meteorological Content of Products and Observations A113 Archive A114 Generate National Products A115 Generate Metadata

Metadata Catalogue A33 Maintain Dissemination Metadata Catalogue in Accordance with Authorised Subscriptions A4 Authorise Access to Information by Users A5 Deliver External) A51 Schedule and Control Activities A511 Derive schedule Time-driven and list (synchronous) of activity event-driven Information to Users (Internal and

(asynchronous) activities A512 Monitor for Events A513 Resolve any activity scheduling conflicts, reflecting relative service priorities A52 Package Information for Delivery A53 Deliver Information A6 Manage System Performance A61 Non Real-time Performance Monitoring A611 Analyse Traffic Trends

A612 Analyse Performance Against Requirements and SLAs A62 Real-time Performance Monitoring A621 Real-time Monitoring of Telecommunication Network A622 Real-time Content 4.4 Data Flow among WIS Functions Monitoring of the Application 4.5 Functional Requirements of a GISC

There are no general recommendations in addition to the statements in Manual on WIS 4.5. 4.6 Functional Requirements of a DCPC

There are no general recommendations in addition to the statements in Manual on WIS 4.6. 4.7 Functional Requirements of an NC

4.4.1 The Functional Architecture of WIS (noted in 4.3 above) models data flow among required WIS functions and illustrative subordinate functions. The model uses Integration Definition for Function Modelling (IDEF0), a data flow diagramming technique that illustrates interrelationships between system components, at levels ranging from very general processes to specific technology interfaces. 4.4.2 Figure 2 (below) presents an IDEF0 functional decomposition of the major WIS functions, labelled A1 through A6. Data flows inherit between levels of the diagrams and are labelled as I1, I2, I3 for inputs and O1, O2 for outputs.

There are no general recommendations in addition to the statements in Manual on WIS 4.7.
5. WIS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

5.1

General

As required in Manual on WIS 5.1, there are fifteen WIS Technical Specifications (WIS-TechSpecs) that should be regarded as "mandatory if applicable", that is, the Technical Specification is required wherever the interface applies. A summary of the applicability of each WIS-TechSpec by type of WIS

Figure 2. Data Flow Model Model of the WIS Functional Architecture Architecture

Centre

is

given

in

Table of

(next

page).

5.2.3 In the

Function Interfaces WIS Functional (1) Architecture, this WIS into

Supplementary

details

WIS

Technical

Specifications are provided in "WIS Compliance Specifications for GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs", available at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WIS/docum ents/TechnicalSpecification.doc 5.2 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-1: Uploading of Metadata for

Technical Specification acts as an interface to two functions: "Compile observations bulletins/files, generate metadata and archive", and (2) "Convert products and data into bulletins/files and generate associated metadata". 5.2.4 Additional Notes

Data and Products 5.2.1 Applicable Standards

This interface builds on existing GTS practice, adding the particular standard format for WIS metadata a GISC about could data, products, take up to 24 and hours services. to be and recommended Centres should be aware that metadata uploaded to synchronized across all GISCs. Thus, where a data or product is required to be distributed sooner than 24 hours after publication of its metadata, the centre must transmit the metadata directly to the centres principle GISC via the GTS or by a method already agreed with the GISC. 5.3 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-2: Uploading of Data and

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.2. 5.2.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. Types of Collection and Dissemination

Products 5.3.1 Applicable Standards

The following information for this requirement is in

Interface Technical Specification Identifier WIS-TechSpec-1 WIS-TechSpec-2 WIS-TechSpec-3 WIS-TechSpec-4 WIS-TechSpec-5 WIS-TechSpec-6 WIS-TechSpec-7 WIS-TechSpec-8 WIS-TechSpec-9 WIS-TechSpec-10 WIS-TechSpec-11 WIS-TechSpec-12 WIS-TechSpec-13 WIS-TechSpec-14 Uploading of Metadata for Data and Products Uploading of Data and Products Centralization of Globally Distributed Data Maintenance of User Identification and Role Information Consolidated View of Distributed Identification and Role Information Authentication of a User Authorization of a User Role DAR Catalogue Search and Retrieval Consolidated View of Distributed DAR Metadata Catalogues Downloading Files via Dedicated Networks Downloading Files via Non-dedicated Networks Downloading Files via Other Methods Maintenance of Dissemination Metadata Consolidated View of Distributed Dissemination Metadata Catalogues WIS-TechSpec-15 Reporting of Quality of Service Interface Technical Specification Name NC Required for: DCPC GISC

Table 1. WIS Interface Technical Specifications

addition

to

the

standard

and

recommended

make use of the GTS. This can incorporate private Internet with TCP/IP and may include encryption. 5.4.3 Function Interfaces WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.3. 5.3.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface is associated with dedicated bandwidth and high reliability and should make use of the GTS. This can incorporate private Internet with TCP/IP and may include encryption. In some cases IGDDS satellite uplinks may be employed. 5.3.3 In the Function Interfaces WIS Functional "Package Architecture, bulletins, this files, WIS Types of Collection and Dissemination

In

the

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Maintain Cache of Global Information for 24 Hours". 5.4.4 Additional Notes

5.4.4.1 The set of WMO data and products required to be cached for 24 hours at the GISCs is that information "intended for global exchange". This does not encompass all of the material handled by IGDDS. 5.4.4.2 Although the cache of data and products intended for global exchange is required to be current across all GISCs to within 15 minutes, warnings must be current to within two minutes. 5.4.4.3 The cache size is expected to grow from

Technical Specification acts as an interface to two functions: (1) and metadata according to distribution requirements", (2) "Convert products and data into bulletins/files and generate associated metadata". 5.3.4 Additional Notes

one gigabyte per day. The cache needs to be highly accurate and the system for logical centralization needs to be affordable and robust; single points of failure and complex procedures are not acceptable. 5.5 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-4: Maintenance of User

This interface builds on existing GTS practice, supplemented with other file transfer mechanisms such as the Internet. Although it is required that data arrives only after its associated metadata, a grace period of two minutes is allowed before the data file is regarded as erroneous. 5.4 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-3: Centralization of Globally

Identification and Role Role Information 5.5.1 Applicable Standards

Distributed Data 5.4.1 Applicable Standards

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.5. 5.5.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user Types of Collection and Dissemination

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.4. 5.4.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface is associated with dedicated bandwidth and high reliability and should Types of Collection and Dissemination

requirements, this interface should make use of public network services, including Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption and other privacy protection for identified individuals as required by national laws.

5.5.3 In the

Function Interfaces WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

5.7 5.7.1

WIS WIS-TechSpecTechSpec-6: Authentication of a User Applicable Standards

Technical Specification acts as an interface to two functions: (1) "Assign User Role", (2) "Authorise Access to Information by Users". 5.5.4 Additional Notes

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.7. 5.7.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption and other privacy protection for identified individuals as required by national laws. Types of Collection and Dissemination Dissemination

For updating the identification and role information concerning candidate or current users of WIS, WIS Centres should support two kinds of maintenance facilities: a file upload facility for batch updating (add, replace, or delete identification and role records treated as separate files); and an online form for changing individual identification and role entries (add, change, or delete of elements in a record as well as whole records). 5.6 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-5: Consolidated View of

Distributed Identification and Role Information 5.6.1 Applicable Standards

5.7.3 In the

Function Interfaces WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Assign User Role". 5.7.4 Additional Notes Notes and recommended

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.6. 5.6.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption and other privacy protection for identified individuals as required by national laws. 5.6.3 In the Function Interfaces WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS Types of Collection and Dissemination

In a typical design for this interface, the client sends to the authentication server an authentication request for a particular user whose identification and credentials are included in the request. The authentication server references the consolidated identification and role information resource for WIS and returns an either authentication confirms or response. denies that That the response

identified user has provided sufficient credentials. 5.8 Role 5.8.1 Applicable Applicable Standards WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-7: Authorization of a User

Technical Specification acts as an interface to two functions: (1) "Assign User Role", (2) "Authorise Access to Information by Users".

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.2.

5.8.2 Service

Types

of

Collection

and

Dissemination

5.9.3 In the

Function Interfaces WIS Functional and Architecture, Expose this WIS of

To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, within the constraints of dedicated bandwidth and reliability service levels, this interface should make use of public network services, including Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. 5.8.3 In the Function Interfaces WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Maintain Catalogue Services and Information". 5.9.4 Additional Notes

The procedures for designation of a GISC or DCPC require that both type of WIS centre maintain data, product and service catalogues in the WMO-agreed standard format and facilitate access to these catalogues. Therefore, network services should be treated as a type of WIS product that can be discovered through the DAR catalogue.

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Authorise Access to Information by Users". 5.8.4 Additional Notes

Note: The WIS SRU Implementors Note is available at http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WIS/Publica tions/SRU_Implementors_Note.doc 5.10 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-9: Consolidated View of

In a typical design for this interface, the client sends to the authorization server an authorization request for a particular user whose identification is included in the request. The authorization server references the consolidated identification and role information resource for WIS authorization or denies response. the That and returns an either any response user

Distributed DAR Metadata Catalogues 5.10.1 Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.10. 5.10.2 Types of Collection and Dissemination Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption.

contains a list of the authorised roles for the user that identified has authorised roles. 5.9 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-8: DAR Catalogue Search and

Retrieval 5.9.1 Applicable Standards

The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.9. 5.9.2 Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, within the constraints of bandwidth and reliability service levels, this interface should make use of public network services, including Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. Types of Collection and Dissemination

5.10.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional and Architecture, Expose this WIS of

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Maintain Catalogue Services and Information".

5.11

WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-10: Downloading Files via

5.12.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

Dedicated Networks 5.11.1 Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.11. 5.11.2 Types Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface is associated with dedicated bandwidth and high reliability and should make use of the GTS and IGDDS satellite broadcast. This can incorporate private Internet with TCP/IP and may include encryption. 5.11.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS of Collection and Dissemination

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Deliver Information to Users". 5.13 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-12: Downloading Files via

Other Methods 5.13.1 Applicable Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.13. 5.13.2 Types Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should not use a nondedicated Otherwise, method this for operation-critical is associated data. with via interface of Collection and Dissemination

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Deliver Information to Users". 5.12 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-11: Downloading Files via

requirements for delivery using methods other than data telecommunication networks. Delivery voice lines and postal services in paper or digital media are included, among others. 5.13.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS

NonNon-dedicated Networks 5.12.1 Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.12. 5.12.2 Types of Collection and Dissemination Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should not use a nondedicated network for operation-critical data. Otherwise, within the constraints of bandwidth and reliability service levels, this interface should make use of public network services, including Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. This interface should also make use of IGDDS satellite broadcast (at radio or television frequencies). 5.14.2 Types Types of Collection and Dissemination Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Deliver Information to Users". 5.14 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-13: Maintenance of

Dissemination Metadata 5.14.1 Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.14.

services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. 5.14.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional and Architecture, Expose this WIS of

5.15.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional and Architecture, Expose this WIS of

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Maintain Catalogue Services and Information". 5.16 Service 5.16.1 Applicable Standards The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.16. 5.16.2 Types Service This interface should make use of public network services, including Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption. 5.16.3 Function Interfaces In the WIS Functional Architecture, this WIS of Collection and Dissemination WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-15: Reporting of Quality of

Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Maintain Catalogue Services and Information". 5.14.4 Additional Notes 5.14.4.1 For updating the Dissemination Metadata, WIS Centres should support two kinds of maintenance facilities: a file upload facility for batch updating (add, replace, or delete metadata records treated as separate files); and an online form for changing individual entries (add, change, or delete of elements in a record as well as whole records). 5.14.4.2 Initially, population of the DAR Metadata is accomplished centrally, based on Volume C1 of WMO Publication No. 9 and other sources. Because full transition of WMO centres to the new metadata will occur over some time, procedures are required to assure that changes to either set of metadata are reflected in both. 5.15 WISWIS-TechSpecTechSpec-14: Consolidated View of Technical Specification acts as an interface to the function: "Manage System Performance". 5.16.4 Additional Notes 5.16.5.1 Agreements on service levels can be anticipated eventually for WIS operations. These should include data and network security as well as The following information for this requirement is in addition to the standard and recommended 5.15.5.2 Performance reports could be generated efficiently by having each WIS Centre upload its reports to a single analysis site within a fixed time 5.15.2 Types Service To provide a quality of service that meets user requirements, this interface should make use of a mix of dedicated network and public network services, including public or private Internet with TCP/IP which may include encryption.
6. METADATA GUIDANCE

Distributed Dissemination Metadata Catalogues 5.15.1 Applicable Standards Standards

performance and reliability.

practices, procedures and specifications in Manual on WIS 5.15. of Collection and Dissemination

window.

To be provided.

APPENDIX A LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ABBREVIATIONS

Cg CBS DAR DCPC GDPFS GISC GTS IGDDS MTN NC NMC TCP/IP WIS WMO

World Meteorological Congress Commission for Basic Systems Discovery, Access and Retrieval Data Collection or Production Centre Global Data Processing and Forecast System Global Information System Centre Global Telecommunication System Integrated Global Data Distribution Service Main Telecommunication Network National Centre National Meteorological Centre Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol WMO Information System World Meteorological Organization

ICG-WIS Inter-Commission Coordination Group on WIS

APPENDIX B SELECTED WMO MANUALS MANUALS AND GUIDES RELEVANT RELEVANT TO WIS

Refer to the Manual on WIS, Appendix B, for the list of selected WMO Manuals and Guides relevant to WIS.
APPENDIX C APPROVED WIS CENTRES CENTRES

Refer to the Manual on WIS, Appendix C, for the list of approved GISCs, DCPCs, and NCs.