1.
Introduction
-Objective
The intent of this project is to establish methods to transfer information
between WFO and RFC WFO Hydrometeorological Forecast System (WHFS)
databases.
-Need
The WHFS databases exist at both WFOs and RFCs. Identical hydrologic
stations, and supporting elements that together uniquely identify
each site, exist in multiple offices' databases. NWS offices routinely
add, delete, or modify these elements daily. Communication of these
changes to all interested offices is essential to ensure they are
consistently propagated through the system. Inconsistent entries
can lead to confusion, and damage each office's capabilities to
provide adequate hydrologic products and services.
- Benefits
If an NWS office can be made aware of changes occurring at another
NWS office, all affected offices will know to address inconsistencies
in the system. Thus they can begin to take positive steps to ensure
that identical station definitions at each office is updated in
a reasonable time frame.
2.
Significant Activity Descriptions
Task |
Completion
Date |
1.
Identify WHFS database components where consistency is required. |
Mar.
2002 |
2.
Determine which office (i.e., the RFC or the WFO) is responsible
for each specific dataset. |
Mar.
2002 |
3.
Determine best means to communicate changes to other offices. |
Apr.
2002 |
4.
Determine how the updated components themselves will be transferred
to other offices. |
Apr.
2002 |
5.
Research COTS software that feature functionalities similar
to those needed to support the stated objective (Paragraph 2);
analyze software's suitability to accomplish the objective. |
May
2002 |
6.
Develop software to accomplish tasks 3 and 4. |
June
2002 |
7.
Test the developed software at the 4 SR RFCs, plus a designated
WFO in each RFC area. |
July
2002 |
8.
Develop software that will change incorporate information received
from remote site, and automatically update database on command. |
Sept.
2002 |
9.
Test the concept and test the procedure in two-way data exchanges
between WGRFC and WFO FWD. |
Nov.
2002 |
10.
Compilation and Publication of Results |
Dec.
2002 |
3. Deliverables
-Software to:
(1) communicate database changes to affected offices;
(2) transfer updated database components to affected offices;
(3) successfully execute needed changes at WFO and RFC databases.
4.
Project Life
- This project is expected to take 9 to 12 months to complete.
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