What Does a Network Protocol Do?
A network protocol defines all operations within a network. Protocols even define how entities outside the network must interact with the network. For example, some network protocols define how data gets from point A to point B. Other network protocols define how a computer or device communicates over a particular medium, like a telephone line or other type connection. Simply put, protocols define how things are to be done if a device is going to operate in a network. 1.4 Which Network Protocol Do I Need? To do this a point of reference is needed. A good reference point is a model of what constituent parts should exist in networks. A standards making body called the International Standard Organization has what they call the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model. This OSI model defines that which should exist in any network. The OSI model used here will be a reference point to explain basic aspects about network protocols. The OSI model consists of seven (7) layers. To better underst
