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Wireless Application Protocol

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a set of communication protocols designed for mobile devices to access the internet, utilizing the Wireless Markup Language (WML). It was established by the WAP Forum in 1998 to standardize wireless technologies and has a hierarchical structure similar to the TCP/IP protocol stack. While WAP offers advantages like rapid evolution and cross-platform use, it also has drawbacks such as slow connection speeds and limited security.

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16 views4 pages

Wireless Application Protocol

The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a set of communication protocols designed for mobile devices to access the internet, utilizing the Wireless Markup Language (WML). It was established by the WAP Forum in 1998 to standardize wireless technologies and has a hierarchical structure similar to the TCP/IP protocol stack. While WAP offers advantages like rapid evolution and cross-platform use, it also has drawbacks such as slow connection speeds and limited security.

Uploaded by

Yashika Kapoor
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Wireless Application Protocol



The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a set of communication


protocols and an application programming model based on the
World Wide Web (WWW). Its hierarchical structure is quite similar
to the TCP/IP protocol stack design.

What is Wireless Application Protocol


(WAP)?
WAP stands for Wireless Application Protocol. It is a protocol
designed for micro-browsers and it enables access to
the internet in mobile devices. It uses the markup
language WML (Wireless Markup Language and not HTML), WML
is defined as an XML 1.0 application. It enables the creation of
web applications for mobile devices. In 1998,
WAP Forum was founded by Ericson, Motorola, Nokia and Unwired
Planet whose aim was to standardize the various wireless
technologies via protocols. WAP protocol resulted from the joint
efforts of the various members of WAP Forum. In 2002, WAP
forum was merged with various other forums in the industry
resulting in the formation of
Open Mobile Alliance (OMA)
WAP Model
The user opens the mini-browser in a mobile device. He selects a
website that he wants to view. The mobile device sends
the URL encoded request via network to a WAP gateway using
WAP protocol.

The WAP gateway translates this WAP request into a


conventional HTTP URL request and sends it over the internet.
The request reaches to a specified web server and it processes
the request just as it would have processed any other request and
sends the response back to the mobile device through WAP
gateway in WML file which can be seen in the micro-browser.
WAP Protocol stack
1. Application Layer: This layer contains the Wireless
Application Environment (WAE). It contains mobile device
specifications and content development programming
languages like WML.
2. Session Layer: This layer contains Wireless Session Protocol
(WSP). It provides fast connection suspension and
reconnection.
3. Transaction Layer: This layer contains Wireless Transaction
Protocol (WTP). It runs on top of UDP (User Datagram Protocol)
and is a part of TCP/IP and offers transaction support.
4. Security Layer: This layer contains Wireless Transport Layer
Security (WTLS). It offers data integrity, privacy and
authentication.
5. Transport Layer: This layer contains Wireless Datagram
Protocol. It presents consistent data format to higher layers of
WAP protocol stack.
Why Use WAP?
The following advantages for wireless network operators, content
producers, and end users were put out by WAP when it was first
introduced in 1999:
Operators of wireless networks and mobile phones: WAP
was created with the intention of enhancing already-existing
wireless data services, such as voicemail, and facilitating the
creation of new mobile applications. Without making any further
infrastructure adjustments or phone modifications, these
applications might be created.
Content Provider: For third-party application developers, WAP
opened up a market for extra applications and mobile phone
features. It was suggested that developers use the WML
programming language to write applications for mobile devices.
End users: Access to online services like banking, entertainment,
messaging, and other information on mobile devices should be
simple and safe for users of mobile phones. WAP could also
permit access.
Advantages of Wireless Application
Protocol
The benefits of Wireless Application Protocol, or WAP, are listed
below:
 WAP is a rapidly evolving technology.
 Wireless Application Protocol is an open source that is totally
free of cost.
 WAP can be used over multiple platforms.
 Neither it nor network standards are affected.
 Higher controlling possibilities are offered.
 It follows a model that is similar to the Internet.
 You can send and receive real-time data with WAP.
 WAP is supported by the majority of current mobile phones and
devices.
Disadvantages of Wireless Application
Protocol
The following is a list of various Wireless Application Protocol, or
WAP, drawbacks:
 WAP connection speed is slow and number of connections are
less.
 At some places it is very difficult to access the Internet, and
also at some places it is totally impossible.
 Less secure.
 WAP provides a small User interface (UI).

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