wis-pub-sub

WIS access and usage - Search/Subscribe/Publish

Three levels of access

Each level inherits the access of the level above it. i.e. Registered for publication gives general and subscription access

Any one can go to a GISC and search and, subject to the data policy, down load products discovered
If it is Res 40 essential or unrestricted GTS traffic and less than 24 hours, it can be obtained from the GISC
Other information is accessed from the information custodian
- The custodian is normally, but not necessarily a WIS centre
GISCs - Go to http://www.wmo.int/giscs and select the GISC you wish to visit
Any centres (inlcuding GISCs) - Go to http://wis.wmo.int/WISCentresDb and select the centre link under the "Function" column

Authority to register to subscribe to a GISC service comes from either the GISC or National WIS focal point
Not all GISCs offer the same resolution of subscription services
Normally limited to new information, often only GTS traffic
Have to subscribe to a data custodian if not circulated on WIS.

Downloading methods are described in WIS TechSpecs 10, 11 & 12
- See WMO No 1060 Part IV, para 4.11-4.13 & appendix D)
Normally by http, ftp or email
Some GISCs require registration to down load data.
Registration necessary if using ftp and email
Always necessary if subscribing.
Can use GTS for downloading via subscription services if connected to GTS (ie an NMHS)
Format is file (unless on older GTS circuit where bulletin may not always be in file format)
File names normally GTS file naming convention.

Publishing can only be through a registered data centre (NC or DCPC)
- A strict governance process is in place for a publisher to be registered as a data centre (NC or DCPC)
- Registration involves PR, TC and RA
- Centre must be WIS compliant
WIS centres can publish information on behalf of other contributors but are responsible for compliance as if they were the originator.
Some GISCs may host data centre’s publishing service
- i.e. GISCs may accept input from a non-NC or non-DCPC source, where an NC or DCPC has authorized a source to publish direct to the GISC
All information must have a WIS discovery metadata record published before the information can be sent or discovered in WIS
See WIS TechSpec 1 (WMO No 1060 Part IV, para 4.2 & appendix D)

Uploading information is normally by a file sent by a method agreed between the provider and uploading WIS centre
- See WIS Tech Spec 2 (WMO No 1060 Part IV, para 4.3 & appendix D)
If data is to go on GTS, the file should comply with GTS file naming convention
- See GTS Manual, Part II, Attachment II-15
WMO approved format (data representation) is preferred but not compulsory
Most common or preferred methods are via ftp or email from provider to the uploading WIS centre
If the WIS centre is on GTS, then may use normal GTS publishing.
Receiving centre is required to check existence of WIS discovery metadata

Note:GISCs will allow a grace period of 2 minutes for metadata to turn up before rejecting the product

Uploading to WIS does not guarantee distribution
WIS and the GTS is subscription based
People must be alerted to new products so that they can subscribe
Process for GTS is Metno with fixed publishing deadlines
For other WIS information, some GISCs support RSS alerting to new products
In most cases, it is up to the publisher to advise the target community that the new product is coming.

Additional users may find the product through DAR or RSS.

If you have any questions, please email wis-help@wmo.int or consult with your GISC help desk