Back in the old days, connecting mobile devices to the Internet was not easy. That is because phones weren’t powerful and had trouble connecting to the Internet wirelessly. But it all changed with the introduction of WAP. Wireless Application Protocol is a set of different protocols that help a wireless device (such as a mobile phone) to the Internet. It actually optimizes the data in a way that can be accessed on less powerful software of mobile phones.
Let’s learn about how this system works.
What is WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)?
WAP is a suite of protocols designed to connect wireless devices with the Internet. Its working model is similar to the HTTP. The only difference is that it is optimized for mobile browsers. That is because these devices have limited bandwidth and processing power.
WAP is not used anymore.
That is because the modern technology has completely replaced it. Faster Internet and powerful smartphones have a lot to do with it. Put simply, modern devices are powerful enough to access Internet data without optimizing it. So, WAP is a thing of the past. Yet, understanding it can be useful for tech enthusiasts.
Understanding the Working Mechanism of WAP:
Understanding the working mechanism of WAP isn’t difficult at all. That is because its basic model is very simple. We’re going to discuss it all in different steps so that you can understand it better.
Step 1 – Initiation and request transmission:
Everything begins with the user’s initiation of a request. This can be accessing a browser or opening an application (WAP-enabled). This transmits a request to the WAP gateway which is a middleman between the device and an online server.
Such a request usually includes a URL of the required service.
Step 2 – Access request:
After receiving the request from the user, the WAP gateway analyzes it. It can perform different actions on it if required. These actions include security checks, translating the request to the compatible formats used on the Internet, etc.
Step 3 – Forwarding the request:
Once the request has been analyzed fully, the WAP gateway forwards it to the required server. The server type depends on the request of the user (such as a web server, email server, etc.).
Step 4 – Retrieving the content:
The request is processed once again. But this time, the contacted server processes it. The processing protocol can vary according to the server. Once it’s done, the content is retrieved from the server.
Step 5 – Content optimization:
If the retrieved content isn’t compatible with the device, the WAP gateway optimizes it. This optimization is performed so that the data can easily be shown on the device. This can include things like image resizing, page layout changing, etc.
The gateway can also compress the information if required. This helps save data usage. however, this is an optional process and may not occur every time.
Step 6 – Data receiving:
Finally, the data is received on the device after that. The data is rendered before it is shown to the user. This can be done via a WAP browser, WAP-enabled apps, etc. After that, the user can interact with this information the way they want to.
This is the basic functionality of WAP.
What are the Advantages of WAP?
Some advantages are discussed below:
- It makes Internet access easy on less powerful mobile devices.
- The received content is optimized for display on mobile browsers.
- It helps consume very little bandwidth.
- It includes different security protocols such as WTLS. This helps keep sensitive information safe.
- It helps you access content in different formats.
The WAP system was introduced in 1999. It ruled the network system for several years. Now, it is not being used due to faster Internet and powerful mobile devices.
Why WAP isn’t Used Anymore?
WAP isn’t used anymore due to the following few reasons:
Introduction of powerful phones:
The very basic reason why this system is replaced is the introduction of powerful phones. Modern smartphones work like a complete computer. They can support desktop-level browsers. This means they do need the middleman to access information on the Internet.
High-Speed Internet:
High-speed Internet has also decreased the value of WAP. Fast Internet allows devices to connect with Internet servers efficiently. This means they don’t need any optimization for that.
Modern web designs:
Modern web designs enable connection with mobile devices without any optimization. Most of them have separate layouts specifically designed for mobiles. This eradicates the need for WAP to optimize site layouts.
Closing Statements
To conclude it all, WAP is a set of protocols designed to help devices connect with the Internet. These protocols were used for wireless devices such as smartphones. It helped less powerful devices connect with online servers smoothly. In this way, users could access their required content without any inconvenience.
The working of WAP is very simple. It uses a gateway as a middleman between the device and the server. This gateway optimizes the whole communication. We have discussed its proper working in the information given above. We have also discussed why this system is not being used anymore.
FAQs:
What is one of the main components of WAP?
WAP gateway is one of its most important components. That is because it connects the device and the server.
Does WAP help consume less data?
Yes. WAP helps consume less amount of data.
Is WAP still being used?
No. The WAP system isn’t being used anymore because of the introduction of powerful phones and fast Internet.
Is this protocol system secure?
Yes. This protocol system is completely secure. It uses different security protocols such as Wireless Transport Layer Security. They ensure the security and safety of the data.
