A protocol is a set of rules that determines how data is sent and received over a network. Protocols make it possible for connected devices with different software and hardware configurations to communicate with each other. An Internet Protocol (IP) is what allows computers and other devices to communicate over the internet.
There are a number of different protocols that serve specific purposes, for example:-
- Transferring files
- Sending emails
- Securing data
How Does an Internet Protocol Work?
Internet protocols work by enabling devices to send and receive data through a system of addressing and routing. The protocol breaks data down into packets with a header containing the addressing information and the actual data.
Packets are then sent through a network of routers that read the header and forward the data until it reaches its destination. When all the packets arrive at the destination, they are reassembled to reconstruct the original data.
Featured Image credit Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
