1. WMO Information System WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION Weather – Climate - Water Dieter C. Schiessl Director, WWW Department WMO Tel: +41-22-730-8369 Mobile: +41-79-615-1202 Fax: +41-22-730-8021 dschiessl@wmo.int

2. Vientiane Ulaanbaatar Baghdad Doha Kuwait Bahrain Dhaka Yangon Kathmandu Kabul Karachi Colombo Male Hanoi Phnom Penh PyongYang Ashgabad Macao 64K Dushanbe Almaty NI Seoul NI 19.2-33.6K (V.34) 64K 19.2-33.6K V.34 2.4K 9.6K 64K64K 128K 64K 50 64K 200 1200 2.4K2.4K 64K 100 200 75 64K 1200 75 5050 100 75 9.6K Melbourne Offenbach Cairo Algiers Moscow Kuala Lumpur Tashkent Novosibirsk Khabarovsk Bangkok Frame Relay CIR Frame Relay CIR Melbourne Washington Frame Relay CIR NI 19.2-33.6K (V.34) Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Network for Region II (Asia) December 2004 Bishkek 64K64K 2.4K Singapore 9.6K RTH in Region II NMC in Region II Centre in other region MTN circuit Regional circuit Interregional circuit Additional circuit Non-IP link IP link NI No implementation 19.2-33.6K (V.34) Tehran Sanaa 200 Hong Kong Moscow NI Frame Relay CIR Tokyo Beijing Frame Relay CIR New Delhi IMTN-MDCN CIR IMTN-MDCN CIR Manila IMTN-MDCN Frame Relay CIR Internet Jeddah Internet Muscat Emirates NI Id V.34 64K Internet Washington Internet ISDN 128K 19.2-33.6K (V.34) Via Moscow IMTN-MDCN Frame Relay CIR 19.2-33.6K (V.34) Frame Relay CIR Internet IMTN-MDCN Frame Relay CIR IMTN-MDCN Frame Relay CIR IMTN-MDCN Frame Relay CIR CMA-VSAT

3. World Weather Watch Global Telecommunication System (GTS) GTS Network

4. World Meteorological Centres WWW GTS Regional/Specialized Meteorological Centres National Meteorological Centres Meteorological and R&D Satellite Operator Centres GTS current users National, Regional, Specialized, and World Meteorological Centres Meteorological Satellite Operator Centres

5. Information management – multiplicity of data formats; uncoordinated metadata and catalogues Current situation Information exchange – multiplicity of procedures; real-time and non-real time internet 5 GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global Run-off Data Centre stop IRI and other climate research institutes Universities Regional Climate Centres stop WWW GTS World Meteorological Centres Regional/Specialized Meteorological Centres National Meteorological Centres Meteorological and R&D Satellite Operator Centres International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. ) Commercial Service Providers World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres WMO World Data Centres stop stop stop stop WWW GTS Real-time “push”

6. internet Information management – multiplicity of data formats; uncoordinated metadata and catalogues Information exchange – multiplicity of procedures; real-time and non-real time 5 GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global Run-off Data Centre stop IRI and other climate research institutes Universities Regional Climate Centres World Meteorological Centres Regional/Specialized Meteorological Centres National Meteorological Centres Meteorological and R&D Satellite Operator Centres International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. ) Commercial Service Providers World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres WMO World Data Centres stop common procedures; real-time and non-real time stop stop stop WWW GTS a few standard data formats; coordinated metadata and catalogues stop Real-time “push”WIS

7. Information management – Information exchange – 5 GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global Run-off Data Centre stop IRI and other climate research institutes Universities Regional Climate Centres World Meteorological Centres Regional/Specialized Meteorological Centres National Meteorological Centres Meteorological and R&D Satellite Operator Centres International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. ) Commercial Service Providers World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres WMO World Data Centres stop common procedures; real-time and non-real time stop stop stop WWW GTS a few standard data formats; coordinated metadata and catalogues stop Real-time “push” internet DCPC NMC/ DCPC NMC NMC/ DPCP NMC GISC Satellite Two-Way System Satellite Dissemination NMC DCPC GISC DCPCWIS

8. Information management – Information exchange – 5 GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global Run-off Data Centre IRI and other climate research institutes Universities Regional Climate Centres International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. ) Commercial Service Providers World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres WMO World Data Centres common procedures; real-time and non-real time a few standard data formats; coordinated metadata and catalogues Real-time “push” On-demand “pull” internet DCPC NMC/ DCPC NMC NMC/ DPCP NMC GISC Satellite Two-Way System Satellite Dissemination NMC DCPC GISC DCPCWIS

9. GEO satellites in the region LEO satellites Global data (recorded/dumped) WIS DISSEMINATION SYSTEM DCPC (sat operator) Data, metadata & user management R&D satellites Other Sat products Non-satellite data GISC (Database, metadata and user management) Central processing Data Sources (collection/production) Regional processing Local processing Polar orbiting satellites Network of HRPT stations (RARS) Data exchange with other GISCs Nat.Centres Data exchange with other DCPCs Satellite products Central processing Nat.Centres Interoperable Catalogue, data National centres, other users ADM Other systems Other systems Request/reply (Internet) Routine dissemination (Internet, private network, satellite -including ADM) IGDDS - including ADMs, RARS - in the context of WIS

10. Cg-XIV (2003) The multiplicity of systems of the different Programmes causes incompatibilities, inefficiencies, duplication of efforts and higher overall costs. Congress approved the concept of the Future WMO Information System (FWIS), which will provide a single coordinated global infrastructure for the collection and sharing of information in support of all WMO and related international programmes. EC-LVI (2004) Identified FWIS to be one of the key contributions of WMO to GEOSS EC-LVII (2005) Renamed FWIS to WIS Accelerated the development and implementation of WIS

11. 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 and non-real time 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 inter-operability

12. Interoperability of Information Systems Example of queries: Where to find surface data on the Antarctica for the period 1950-1960? How to get them? How to use them? Network At present, WMO Programmes do not offer appropriate response to such queries in quasi real-time and on-line

13. Building blocks of WIS National Centres (NC) Global Information System Centres (GISC) Data Collection and Production Centres (DCPC) Data communication networks

14. Information management – Information exchange – 5 GAW World Data Centres GCOS Data Centres Global Run-off Data Centre IRI and other climate research institutes Universities Regional Climate Centres International Organizations (IAEA, CTBTO, UNEP, FAO.. ) Commercial Service Providers World Radiation Centre Regional Instrument Centres WMO World Data Centres common procedures; real-time and non-real time a few standard data formats; coordinated metadata and catalogues Real-time “push” On-demand “pull” internet DCPC NMC/ DCPC NMC NMC/ DPCP NMC GISC Satellite Two-Way System Satellite Dissemination NMC DCPC GISC DCPCWIS

15. National Centre (NC) Several NCs in a country are possible (not just the NMC) Exchanges information collected/generated in the country with a GISC/DCPC Serves as portal for national users and administrates their access to WIS Data Collection and Production Centre (DCPC) Serves as information production facility Facilitates access/exchange from/to NCs and GISCs Supports information “Push” and ”Pull” mechanisms Generates, maintains and makes accessible metadata catalogues of its archives

16. Global Information System Centre (GISC) Receives information from NCs and DCPCs Exchanges information with other GISCs Disseminates, within its area of responsibility, the entire WWW set of data and products for routine global exchange (GTS function) Generates, maintains and makes accessible metadata catalogues of its archives Ensures around-the-clock, reliable and secure operations

17. Information collection data flow

18. Information distribution data flow

19. WIS implementation Build upon the most successful components of existing WMO information systems and prepare a smooth and coordinated transition Map existing WMO Programme centres into the functional WIS centres (e.g. WWW/RSMC DCPC) Evaluate functions, technologies and architecture through pilot projects and prototype solutions Ensure a flexible system structure that can respond to growing requirements and technological progress

20. WIS implementation Current Centres WIS Functional Centres WWW/NMC; selected WMO programme centres; national non- NMHS users NC WWW/RSMC; Satellite Operators; programme centres DCPC WWW/WMC; ECMWF; IRI; programme centres DCPC and/or GISC WWW/RTH (on the MTN)DCPC and/or GISC WWW/RTHDCPC The information and communication functions of existing WMO Programme centres are mapped into the corresponding functions of WIS centres as illustrated below for the WWW. The names of these virtual centres describe their functionality, not the actual organisational entities. There may be organisations, such as NMHSs, which combine all three virtual centres within one facility.

21. Improved GTS Internet like applications Flexible services Saving implementation costs and human resources Expanding bandwidth Flexible connectivity Saving recurrent costs From the GTS towards the WIS core network Strengthen GTS capabilities benefit from technology opportunities Migration to TCP/IP Use of cost-effective networks Strategies Leased circuits Legacy protocols Legacy GTS

22. Main challenges: Development of interoperability through ctive involvement and contribution of all WMO Programmes and Technical Commissions Development of interoperability through active involvement and contribution of all WMO Programmes and Technical Commissions Promotion and support of pilot projects and prototype solutionsPromotion and support of pilot projects and prototype solutions Regional and sub-regional development and implementation planningRegional and sub-regional development and implementation planning

23. Exeter Sofia Network II Melbourne Buenos Aires Tokyo Beijing Nairobi Washington The Improved Main Telecommunication Network IX-2004 Network I Network I Jeddah Prague Toulouse Dakar Algiers Offenbach Brasilia Cairo Managed data communication network Point-to-point services New Delhi Moscow

24. Specific characteristics of IMTN clouds Cloud I Frame Relay Melbourne Tokyo 1.5Mbps Washington 256kbps Exeter 256kbps Access circuit 1.5Mbps 32kbps 16kbps CIR= 768kbps 32kbps 64kbps 32kbps High reliability, guaranteed quality of service, full security Scalability, Flexibility for establishing logical connections Asymmetric bandwidths (CIR: Committed Information Rate)

25. GTS traffic Snapshot 384kbps line (Half of CIR) Traffic on the GTS Example at RTH Tokyo From Washington (CIR=768kbps) From Melbourne (CIR=32kbps) From other GTS circuits Daily Average of actual use of capacity Daily volume received 1192Mbytes25Mbytes 7Mbytes 14.4%7.2% spare capacity

26. Evolution to IP-VPN through provider networks (full any-to-any point interconnectivity, high security & reliability) VPN : Virtual Private Network MPLS : Multi Protocol Label Switching Closed IP network with MPLS by a provider CE Core Router VPN group VPN group Complemented by the Internet Internet

27. Several on-going pilot projects test and evaluate various functional concepts and architectures and thus spearhead the implementation of WIS RA VI VGISC : Exeter, Offenbach, Toulouse, ECMWF and EUMETSAT are developing a distributed GISC – prototype demo at CBS-XIII and XIV-RA VI in 2005 EUMETNET - UNIDART: data portal RA II & V VPN Project: VPNs via Internet linking NMCs in the Regions Roshydromet CliWare project (CCl) JCOMM GISC-E2EDM prototype WAMIS (CAgM) Cooperation with Earth Sciences Portal, NCAR, etc Test and evaluation of WMO Core Metadata standard coordinated by focal points of the TCs

28. Relevant activities (see references) EUMETNET UNIDART project development of a meteorological Web portal which will provide uniform access to meteorological data and products through the Internet using Grid services CliWare – Russian information system that allows authorized users to access hydro- meteorological data and products over the Internet JCOMM GISC-E2EDM prototype RA-VI VGISC project WIS VPN Pilot Project in RAs II and V DMAC of IOOS – US project to acquire and use ocean-related data NERC DataGrid – UK e-Science project for accessing environmental information Earth System Grid – US project that enables management, discovery, distributed access, processing, & analysis of distributed terascale climate research data Relevant activities EUMETNET UNIDART project - development of a meteorological Web portal which will provide uniform access to meteorological data and products through the Internet using Grid services CliWare – Russian information system that allows authorized users to access hydro-meteorological data and products over the Internet JCOMM GISC-E2EDM prototype RA-VI VGISC project WIS VPN Pilot Project in RAs II and V DMAC of IOOS – US project to acquire and use ocean-related data NERC DataGrid – UK e-Science project for accessing environmental information Earth System Grid – US project that enables management, discovery, distributed access, processing, & analysis of distributed terascale climate research data

29. Several on-going pilot projects test and evaluate various functional concepts and architectures and thus spearhead the implementation of WIS

30. RA II / V WIS Project: Phase 1 – Reporting observational data Simulating NC: Windows PC with browser Simulating GSIC/DCPC: Web server for data injection with software and metadata creation and conversion from the injected format to BUFR

31. RA II / V WIS Project: Phase 2 – Cooperation with UNIDART (Data Portal) Simulating NC: Windows PC with Browser Simulating GISC/DCPC: Server with LINUX for provision of data & products with metadata; Oracle client software or UNICOR are also required

32. RA II / V WIS Project: Phase 3 – Prototype Application Simulating NC: Windows PC with Browser; SATAID (tool for visualization and manipulation of satellite and synoptic data and NWP products Simulating GISC/DCPC: FTP server for provision of data/products with metadata, and HTTP server as a portal site

33. WIS design concepts

34. Impact on and benefits for WMO WIS concerns only information exchange and data management functions and does not affect data processing or modeling components WIS maximizes cross-programme standardization related to data and data connectivity between all applications WIS information cataloguing and metadata ensure finding of and access to information by each user (person or institution) within established data policies WIS is a cost-effective, comprehensive solution for developing countries to actively participate in the WMO Programmes

35. Inter-commission Coordination Group on WIS Established by EC-LVI as a coordination and collaboration mechanism spanning across the technical commissions and reporting to EC Includes TC representatives and other ad-hoc experts Facilitates sharing of knowledge, resources and commitment to strengthen the WIS development and implementation processes First session: 12-14 January 2005 Second session: 24-27 October 2005 This group will need to be strengthened and inter- commission sub-group will be necessary

36. WIS Deliverables 2006 - 2008 WMO cross-cutting project and WIS departmental focal points; WIS pilot and demonstration projects will be evaluated Case studies will demonstrate benefits and resource needs at national level; Case studies will describe benefits for each relevant programme (such as GCOS, GOOS, GAW, THORPEX, AgroMet; GEWEX, WHYCOS…); Begin of development of an “open source” software library, including Internet portal software; Global Information Service Centres (GISC) will become operational (e.g., metadata; Internet portals; push/pull services; performance monitoring); Development of the WIS training components, including innovative training tools and methods. DCPCs and NCs, will be linked to the GISCs; (WMO World Data Centres, Regional Climate Centres, IRI, Hadley Centre, GDRC, GAW Data Centres etc.); Pilot and trial projects will continue in all Regions; regional plans will be developed; “Push and Pull”-services will be implemented in selected NMCs and DCPCs;

37. WIS Deliverables 2008-2009 WMO-wide implementation of the WIS training project; Increasing number of centres, mainly DCPCs and NCs, will be integrated into WIS; Periodic review and monitoring projects will measure and verify WIS performance and reliability and user satisfaction and trigger corrective improvements; Assessment of capacity building needs in LDCs and development of country-specific projects; Development of operational concepts for the WIS connection and management of national non- NMHSs users. 2009-2011 Resource mobilization and implementation of aid projects to facilitate WIS implementation and use in developing countries, in particular LDCs; Completion of the implementation of WIS; Continuation of training for users and operators; Continuation of improvements and upgrades to keep pace with ICT progress and changes in tariffs.

38. Frequently asked questions Q1:Will there still be a GTS data exchange mechanism as we know it today? A1:Yes, but more flexible and based on WMO TDCF Q2:With several NCs within a country, what is the role of the NMC/RTH? A2.1:Only the NMC/RTH manages the GTS traffic according to the WMO Manual on the GTS A2.2:The NMC/RTH is the network coordinator for connection and access rights of the “other” NCs Q3:Who are the so-called “other” NCs in a country? A3:Examples are national or international data centres, academia, research institutions, commercial service providers if permitted according to A2.2

39. Q4:What will an NMHS gain from WIS? A4:WIS will enhance the visibility and importance of the NMHS in the country. The NMHS will gain timely and cost-effective access to information, in particular new data and products, which will enhance its own operations. The NMC is will also be enable to provide on-line to other national agencies/users dealing in disaster mitigation, agriculture, energy and water management, and so forth, critical information that was, so far, not available to them, or difficult to obtain. The NMC would “push” to them routine information, such as warnings, advisories, selected measurements, etc., and help discover, select and channel relevant information to users, either ad hoc, in the “pulling” mode, or in reply to a non-real-time request. Frequently asked questions

40. Q5:Is there a financial or administrative burden on the NMC? A5.1:Financial - That depends on how the national network is organized; if the “other” NCs are directly connected to the Network Service Provider: NO! if their data flow through the NMC: YES! A5.2:Administrative – YES! If the NMC assumes the responsibility of the national WIS network manager addressing NC access rights, accounting and service availability, etc.

41. Q6:Does the WIS comply with the WMO data policy (Res. 40 (Cg-XII) and Res. 25 (Cg-XIII)), and is it flexible enough to follow an evolution of the WMO data policy? A6.1:Yes, the management and practices related to essential and additional data and products and related conditions will remain unchanged A6.2:Procedures for managing of access rights, control of data retrieval, registration and identification of users, etc. can be defined as and when required A6.3:Anonymous downloading is technically possible, but depends on whether a NC permits that feature Frequently asked questions

42. Q7:Are there implications in connection with relevant international law, convention, such as copyright, patent, etc.? A7:WIS has no system-inherent features that would violate international legal frameworks; the control procedures are fully within the responsibility of the NMCs Q8:Is WIS affordable, in particularly to developing countries? A8:WIS will be based on industry standards, off-the-shelf hardware and open source software. That means the initial investment is determined by the cost for PCs and the required Internet and/or VPN connections. Generic solutions will be the exception. Frequently asked questions

43. Thank you WIS WMO Information System