Net Terms

Protocol

On the Internet, a protocol is a special set of rules that 
telecommunications devices (such as modems and related software) use 
when they send signals back and forth.  Protocols exist at several 
levels in a telecommunication connection.  For instance, telephones 
use protocols for dial tones, busy signals, and other messages.

The Internet uses the TCP/IP set of protocols.  TCP (transport control 
protocol) uses a set of rules to exchange messages with other Internet 
points at the information packet level.  IP (Internet protocol) uses 
a set of rules to send and receive messages at the Internet 
address level.