The interface is used to group the operations offered by the OGC Web Map Service 1.3.0 Interface Standard.
Operations
Returns XML metadata with information about the server e.g. parameters about the WMS and available layers.
Returns a map image considering width and height of the map, coordinate reference system, rendering style and image format.
Retrieves data (geometry and values) for a pixel location
The GetLegendGraphic operation provides a mechanism for generating legend graphics as images, beyond the LegendURL reference of WMS Capabilities. It generates a legend based on the style defined on the server, or alternatively based on a user-supplied SLD.
Service Interface Binding
The service Interface binding is compliant with EUROCONTROL Specification for SWIM Technical Infrastructure (TI) Yellow Profile.
Network Interface Binding
The service shall use the network bindings of the SWIM TIYP IPv4 Secure Unicast.
Messages
GeoServer provides a RESTful interface and simple HTTP calls. The service follows a synchronous request–response message exchange pattern over HTTPS using HTTP GET and POST methods. Service metadata is accessible via standard GetCapabilities operations, while geospatial content is retrieved using GetMap, GetFeature, and related OGC-defined operations. In case of processing or validation errors, the service returns appropriate HTTP status codes and OGC-compliant XML exception reports (e.g. ServiceExceptionReport or ExceptionReport).
WMS returns images in a number of possible formats. The list of output formats supported by a GeoServer instance can be found by a WMS GetCapabilities request.