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Protocol
In information technology, a protocol (pronounced PROH-tuh-cahl) is the special set of rules for communicating that the end points in a telecommunication connection use when they send signals back and forth. Protocols exist at several levels in a telecommunication connection. There are hardware telephone protocols. There are protocols between the end points in communicating programs within the same computer or at different locations. Both end points must recognize and observe the protocol. Protocols are often described in an industry or international standard.
On the Internet, there are the TCP/IP protocols, consisting of:
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), which uses a set of rules to exchange messages with other Internet points at the information packet level.
IP (Internet Protocol), which uses a set of rules to send and receive messages at the Internet address level.
HTTP, FTP, and other protocols, each with defined sets of rules to use with other
Internet points relative to a defined set of capabilities.
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