WMO Information System (WIS) Managing

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WMO Information System (WIS)Managing Moving
Weather, Water and Climate Informationin the
21st Century
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION Weather
Climate - Water
José Arimatéa de Sousa Brito Information and
Telecommunication Services Division Observing and
Information Systems Department
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WMO Information System (WIS) DESIGNING AND
IMPLEMENTING WIS

• Overview
• Background information
• Project plan
• Objectives and vision
• Scope of the project
• Organizational structure
• Project implementation
• User requirements (RRR)
• Technical specifications
• Governance procedures
• WIS guidelines (WIS Manual)
• ET-CTS critical issues
• Engagement of ET-CTS

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IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

• What is the WMO Information System (WIS)?
• Why is it being developed?
• What services will it provide?
• What will the NMHS gain from WIS?
• What is the overall WIS plan?
• How far has its implementation progressed?
• What are the major challenges still to be met?

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WMO INFORMATION SYSTEM

• Direction from WMO Congress (2003)
• Develop
• Over-arching approach for solving data management
  problems for all WMO and related international
  programmes
• A single, coordinated global infrastructure, the
  WMO Information System (WIS) for the collection
  and sharing of information

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REASONS FOR WIS

• Various WMO Programmes developing information
  systems independently
• Incompatibilities, inefficiencies, duplication of
  effort and higher overall costs
• Continued systems development in an
  uncoordinated manner would
• Exacerbate these problems
• Increase difficulty in sharing information
  between programmes
• Further isolate WMO Programmes from each other
  and from wider environmental community

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Current situation GTS For WWW

• GTS provides
• Information collection and distribution
• Real-time push for WWW data products (and
  some other programmes data)
• Information management
• Standard data formats
• Implicit metadata catalogs

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Current situation GTS and Other WMO Programmes
systems

• Information exchange
• Multiplicity of procedures
• Real-time and non-real-time
• Very limited pull
• Information management
• Multiplicity of data formats
• Uncoordinated/lack of metadata catalogs
• No discovery

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Current situation GTS
interconnects
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WIS Vision

• Integrated approach for all WMO Programmes
• Routine collection and dissemination of
  time-critical and operation-critical data and
  products
• Real-time push through dedicated
  telecommunication
• Data Discovery, Access and Retrieval service
• Pull through the Internet (HTTP, FTP,)
• Timely delivery of data and products
• Delayed mode push through dedicated
  telecommunication means and public data networks,
  especially the Internet
• Unified procedures
• More efficient data exchange
• Coordinated and standardized metadata
• Interoperability between programmes
• Improved data management
• ISO 191xxx series for geographic information

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WIS brings new features and opportunities

• Common information exchange standards, functions
  and services for all WMO programmes
• Inter-disciplinary discovery, retrieval and
  exchange of information in real-time and non-real
  time
• Inter-operability through on-line catalogues
  using metadata based on ISO 19100 (geographic
  information standard)
• Industry standards and off-the-shelf hardware and
  software systems to ensure cost-effectiveness and
  compatibility

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Structure of WIS

• Functional centres interconnected by data
  communication networks
• National Centres (NC)
• Links national data providers and users to
  regional and global data exchange nodes, and
  administrates access to WIS
• Data Collection and Production Centres (DCPC)
• Provides for regional and international exchange
  of WMO programmes data and products
• Supports data and information push and pull
• Global Information System Centres (GISC)
• Provides for global exchange of data and products
• Collects and provides metadata for all data and
  products
• Supports data and information discovery and pull

WIS concerns only information exchange and data
management functions
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WIS

World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres
International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP,
FAO.. )
GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global
Run-off Data Centre Global Precip. Climatology
Centre
IRI, Hadley Centre, and other climate research
centres Universities Regional Climate
Centres (CIIFEN, etc.)
Commercial Service Providers
WMO World Data Centres International Projects
(e.g. GMES HALO)
internet
Real-time push
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WIS DATA-COMMUNICATIONS IMPLEMENTATION(for
weather, water, climate and related data and
products)
DAR
Essentially through the Internet(HTTP, FTP, VPN)
Essentially through telecom. with guaranteed
quality of service, e.g. leased circuits,
dedicated data com network services, sat.-based
systems, ..
WIS
Essentially through satellite based data
distribution systems, e.g. DVB-S
IGDDS
GTS
WIS/GTS for time and operation-critical data
products WIS/IGDDS for space-based data
products WIS/DAR data discovery, access and
retrieval Data push routine distribution of
data products Data pull access to and
retrieval of data products
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Questionnaire Responses, Meeting Reports,
interviews, etc
Requirements Assessment Phase
Assessment of Requirements (WIS Project Office
interim measure)
User Reqmts Doc, WIGOS Obs db TBD db
Review of Requirements (New ET on User
Requirements - to be formed)
RRR Phase
Consolidated and Endorsed User Requirements
Determine Optimal Way to Meet User
Requirements WG-PIW ET-OI
ET-CTS Consolidation of Views (New ET on User
Requirements)
Process for Establishing, Maintaining and
Implementing User Requirements
Ad Hoc Requests for WIS Services
WIS DCPC and GISC Nominations
Implementation of Services Addressing User
Requirements Member States (CIO)
Designation of GISCs and DCPCs EC, TCs, RAs,
Member States
Decisions on Implementation of formal and Ad Hoc
Requests
Decisions on WIS Components
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WIS, a key issue interoperability

• Interoperability enables the discovery, the
  retrieval and the usage of the data
• It needs the development and the implementation
  of relevant Metadata standards
• Development of a WMO Metadata Profile of the ISO
  191xx series for geographic information
• Step 1 development of the WMO Metadata Core
  Profile of ISO 19115 for data discovery
• Step 2 Use of the ISO 191xx series for the
  access and use of the data

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European Virtual GISC Project
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Major Components and Services of
WISInteroperability and WIS Networking
National Centres (NCs)
Global Information System Centres (GISCs)
Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs)
SOA - Focus is on the interfaces
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WIS PROJECT ORGANISATIONAL CHART
CONGRESS
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Integration Definition for Function Modelling
(IDEF0)
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WIS CONTEXT DIAGRAM AND SOME WIS FUNCTIONS
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Interface Technical Specification Identifier Interface Technical Specification Name Required for Required for Required for
Interface Technical Specification Identifier Interface Technical Specification Name NC DCPC GISC
WIS-TechSpec-1 Uploading of Metadata for Data and Products ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-2 Uploading of Data and Products ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-3 Centralization of Globally Distributed Data ?
WIS-TechSpec-4 Maintenance of User Identification and Role Information ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-5 Consolidated View of Distributed Identification and Role Information ?
WIS-TechSpec-6 Authentication of a User ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-7 Authorization of a User Role ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-8 DAR Catalogue Search and Retrieval ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-9 Consolidated View of Distributed DAR Metadata Catalogues ?
WIS-TechSpec-10 Downloading Files via Dedicated Networks ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-11 Downloading Files via Non-dedicated Networks ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-12 Downloading Files via Other Methods ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-13 Maintenance of Dissemination Metadata ? ? ?
WIS-TechSpec-14 Consolidated View of Distributed Dissemination Metadata Catalogues ?
WIS-TechSpec-15 Reporting of Quality of Service ? ? ?
Interface Tech Specs
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WIS Tech Spec 8 DARCatalogue search retrieval
Applicable Standards ISO 23950 Information Search and Retrieval Protocol ISO-23950 including GEO Profile and SRU (Search and Retrieve via URL) Profile WMO Core Profile of the ISO Metadata Standard IPET-MI(07)
Communication Types client-server request-response
Service Level Required non-dedicated shared network
Network Transports and Supporting Services public or private Internet using TCP/IP which may include encryption typically HTTP with GET or POST methods, and may include SOAP
Performance MetricsResponse TimeSearch Request RateConcurrency maximum 2 seconds per requestminimum 40 keyword and bounding box searches per secondminimum 20 active sessions
WIS Data Flow Diagram -Process, Input, Output WIS Technical Specification Appendix A, Diagram 2, Process A3 Maintain and Expose Catalogue of Services and InformationInput Information Search RequestOutput Information Search Result
Applicable Use Cases WIS Technical Specification Appendix B, Use Case B.6, Discover Data or Products
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WIS Tech Spec 8 DARCatalogue search retrieval
WIS Requirements(in addition to requirements applicable to all interfaces) provide metadata catalogue across all GISCs of data, products, and services assure catalogue interoperability using ISO 23950 search and geospatial services catalogue WIS contributions in GEOSS Clearinghouse use ISO 19115 and the WMO core metadata profile standardize practices for electronic archival of metadata provide metadata with quality indications to enable search, retrieval, and archiving make WMO Resolution 40 data available through GEOSS interoperable arrangements use ISO standards for references to specific places on the Earth harmonize data formats, transmission, archiving and distribution across disciplines draw on existing Spatial Data  Infrastructure (SDI) components as institutional and technical precedents each DCPC supports access to data and products via Internet request/reply each DCPC implements backup and recovery of essential services each GISC provides coordination and mutual backup with other GISCs use public Internet for Data Discovery, Access and Retrieva support rapid access and integration of real-time and non real-time (archive) data sets identify and use a variety of data types across WMO programmes support WIS as a GEOSS component with a core role WIS Technical Specification Appendix C Requirements C.2.01, C.1.08, C.5.08, C.5.09, C.5.11, C.5.19, C.1.24, C.3.06, C.5.21, C.1.12, C.5.06, C.5.10, C.5.03, C.5.04, C.5.20, C.1.11, C.5.05, C.5.17, C.5.07, C.3.05, C.3.07, C.2.05, C.1.15, C.1.19, C.1.20, C.1.21, C.1.18b, C.1.09, C.1.10, C.1.18a, C.5.01, C.5.02
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.
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WIS-TechSpec-4, Maintenance of User
Identification and Role Information
Applicable Standards standards for content and communications are TBD by host of identification and role information database
Communication Types terminal-host store-and-forward or file transfer (e.g., FTP, HTTP) client-server request-response (e.g., HTTP with CGI Web form)
Service Level Required non-dedicated shared network may be used, provided there is privacy protection for identified individuals as required by national laws
Network Transports and Supporting Services public or private Internet using TCP/IP with encryptiontypically HTTP with GET or POST methods, and may include SOAP
Performance Metricsidentification and role information the timeliness of changes to user identification and role information is application-specific and subject to NC or DCPC procedures
WIS Data Flow Diagrams WIS Technical Specification Appendix A, Diagram 2, Process A2 Assign User RoleInputs User RequestsOutputs User Requests with Assigned Role WIS Technical Specification Appendix A, Diagram 2, Process A4 Authorise Access to Information by UsersInputs Requests for InformationOutputs Information Access Authorizations
Use Cases WIS Technical Specification Appendix B Use Cases B.5, Maintain Identification and Role Information for WIS Users
WIS Requirements(in addition to requirements applicable to all interfaces) use ISO standards for references to specific places on the Earth harmonize data formats, transmission, archiving and distribution across disciplines each NC authorizes its national users to access WIS each  DCPC supports access to data and products via Internet request/reply each DCPC implements backup and recovery of essential services use dedicated telecommunications and public Internet for timely delivery identify and use a variety of data types across WMO programmes WIS Technical Specification Appendix C Requirements C.5.20, C.1.11, C.5.05, C.5.17, C.4.05, C.3.05, C.3.07, C.1.14, C.1.19, C.1.20, C.1.21, C.1.10, C.1.18a
Notes 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).
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Use Case B.5, Maintain Identification and Role
Information for WIS Users
Use Case Goal Internal and external users of WIS are able to be identified as needed for their authentication, and their role information is maintained as needed for their authorizations to perform specific functions
Actors Users of WIS (internal and external) Administrators of authentication and authorization at WIS Centres
Pre-Conditions (1) Administrators have agreed authentication policies delineating the credentials required to establish identity of a WIS user (2) Administrators have agreed authorization policies delineating which roles are authorized to perform each WIS action (3) Administrators have mechanisms to create and maintain identification information needed for authentication of users of WIS (4) Administrators have mechanisms to create and maintain role information needed for authorization of authenticated users of WIS
Post-Conditions WIS Centres collectively have the ability to authenticate each user of WIS and authorize him to perform all of the functions appropriate to his role, and only those functions appropriate to his role
Normal Flow Identification and role information about candidate or current users of WIS are to be recorded through facilities controlled by WIS Centres. Typically, two kinds of facilities should be supported. One is a file upload facility for "batch" updating (add, replace, or delete the identification and role records as separate files). The other is an online form for changing identification and role records (add, change, or delete elements in a record as well as whole records). Administrators of authentication and authorization at WIS Centres share the updated identification and role information as a resource available as needed across WIS Centres.
Notes and Issues At this point in WIS system design, mechanisms have not been decided for handling identification and role information as needed across WIS centres.
Last Updated 30 Oct 2007
Last Updated By Eliot Christian
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WIS SERVICES
WIS provide three types of services to meet the
different requirements (1) Routine collection
and dissemination service for time-critical and
operation-critical data and products Based on
real-time push mechanism (incl. Multicast)
implemented essentially through dedicated
telecommunication means with guaranteed quality
of service, e.g. leased circuits, dedicated data
communication network services and
satellite-based data-distribution systems (2)
Data Discovery, Access and Retrieval
service Based on request/reply pull mechanism
with relevant data management functions
implemented essentially through the Internet
(HTTP, FTP,) (3) Timely delivery service for
data and products Based on delayed mode push
mechanism implemented through a combination of
dedicated telecommunication means and of public
data networks, especially the Internet.
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Key Future Milestones

• Consolidate plans on development, governance and
  implementation of WIS 2007-2008
• Develop WIS regulatory documentation and guidance
  material for implementation, including
  specifications for the GISC interfaces and a
  unified user interface 2007-2008
• Develop scheme and practices for security,
  authentication and authorization procedures for
  WIS services 2007-2008
• Implementation of first operational GISC 2008
• Implementation of other operational GISCs 2009 -
  2011
• Implementation of DCPCs, i.e. WIS interfaces at
  WMO programmes centres 2008-2011

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WIS Project Gantt Chart
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CRITICAL ISSUES FOR WIS

• Data exchange/synchronization between GISCs
• Metadata Exchange/synchronization
• GISC performance standards, monitoring, storage
• Two (2) minutes for warning distribution
• Ten (10) minutes for other info
• Holding 24 hours of information
• Manual on WIS, equivalent of Manual on the GTS.
• Defining steps to be taken to evolve the GTS
  towards WIS

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EVOLUTION OF THE GTS TOWARDS WIS
GENERAL PRINCIPLES

• WIS has to perform better than the current GTS
  in any stage
• Use of technology available now
• Take into account current changes in Regional
  Networks
• WIS to be cost-effective in the long run