What is an Object ID (OID)?
An OID is a globally unique identifier that WOS assigns to an object when storing it. Even if the object is replicated multiple times, a single OID is used to retrieve it. Think of the OID like the ticket a valet gives you when he takes your car. The ticket contains a unique number that the valet will match when you want your car back. To retrieve an object from WOS, the OID is provided and WOS figures out where the object is stored and delivers it.