Wireless Application Protocol or WAP is an accepted, open industry standard
that allows wireless devices to access information and services on the
Internet. WAP operates over almost all wireless phone networks including
those built under GSM and CDMA technologies. Basically, a handset sends
a request, using WAP protocol, to a special WAP gateway server. Upon interpretation
of the address or URL in the request, the content is fetched by the gateway
and transferred via WAP to the handset. Digital wireless user agents such
as mobile phones have become very popular in recent years. Technically
speaking, mobile phones are no longer just phones, they are communication
devices capable of running applications and communicating with other devices
and applications over a wireless network. Based on existing Internet technology
such as XML and IP, WAP allows the supply of Internet content and Internet
services to wireless clients, WAP devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs,
pagers, two-way radios, smart phones, communicators and terminals.
What is the purpose of WAP?
To enable easy, fast delivery of relevant information and services to
mobile phone users.
Which wireless networks does WAP work with?
WAP is designed to work with most wireless networks such as CDPD, CDMA,
GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX, ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC, Mobitex.
What operating systems are compatible with WAP?
WAP is a communications protocol and application environment. It can be
built on any operating system including PalmOS, EPOC, Windows CE, FLEXOS,
OS/9, JavaOS etc. It provides service interoperability even between different
device families.
Contact
Getting
Started....
With
just a few simple steps you can have your WAP site up and running!
What you need to get started:
1. A WML editor. Notepad is optimal for writing a WML site. However, if
you are unfamiliar with WML, there are more complex editors available.
e.g. Dreamweaver 3.0 and Waptor
2. A place to store your WML files. You will need a website that is capable
of serving WML content. ammonet Economy,
Business and Professional Accounts are WAP enabled.
3. A way of getting your files to your server. You can upload your new
WML pages with an FTP client, such as WS_FTP or FrontPage.
4. A way to test and view your site. If you do not have a WAP enabled
device, the next best thing is an emulator. ammonet
will shortly have a WAP emulator on-line.
Step 1.
Open your notepad program or WML editor. To begin you need to make a 'deck'.
A deck is composed of 'cards' (Refer to our glossary of WAP
terms and WAP
FAQs). Below is a sample deck.
<?xml version="1.0"?> <!DOCTYPE wml PUBLIC "-//WAPFORUM//DTD WML
1.1//EN" "http://www.wapforum.org/DTD/wml_1.1.xml">
<card id="card2" title="ammonet WAP TEST CARD 2">
<do type=accept" label="Back to card 1">
<go href="#card1"/>
</do>
<p>
Welcome to Card 2
</p>
</card>
</wml>
Step 2.
Save your document with a .wml file extension to your local drive.
Step 3.
Open your FTP client and ftp to your server. Next upload your .wml file
to your server in ASCII format. You may also upload your files with Frontpage
or another editor of your choice.
Step 4.
Test your page. Your may do this by using your WAP device or with an emulator
of your choice. AIT has provided an emulator to test your pages at http://wap.aitcom.net/emulator.htm.
Congratulations you have just completed your first WAP site!
