A functional overview of WMS operations, using CryoClim as example:
OpenLayers - JavaScript client for web. Uses extended WMC support library developed by met.no.
NcWMS - integrated with THREDDS. Cannot render shapes, only grids.
http://www.resc.rdg.ac.uk/trac/ncWMS/
MapServer - used on wms.met.no for displaying coastlines
Perl proxy/web service. Merges GetCapabilities and WMSsetup file using XSLT. Also works as proxy to get around security limitations in JavaScript.
The OpenGISĀ® Web Map Service Interface Standard (WMS) provides a simple HTTP interface for requesting geo-registered map images from one or more distributed geospatial databases. A WMS request defines the geographic layer(s) and area of interest to be processed. The response to the request is one or more geo-registered map images (returned as JPEG, PNG, etc) that can be displayed in a browser application.
XML document describing all available layers and styles in a single data file. Lacks projection and bounding box info.
XML document specifying desired presentation in client. Can merge layers from different sources, with only desired layers and corresponding styles.
(currently not deployed outside Met.no firewall)