What is a networking protocol
A formally defined set of rules that describes how two or more systems communicate over a network. A protocol is NOT a program. It is a written specification (standard). A set of rules, formats, and procedures
Who defines protocols
Protocols are created and standardized by organizations such as:
- IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force)
- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
These organizations publish documents called standards (like RFCs) that precisely define how protocols work.
A standards organization for the Internet responsible for the technical standards, defines how Internet protocols should work. The IETF publishes documents called: RFC (Request for Comments) an official technical document that define, describe, and standardize internet protocols,
The name comes from the early days of the Internet, engineers would circulate technical proposals and literally ask others for comments.
Computers follow protocols through implementations: so a developer reads the protocol specification and writes software that obeys those exact rules. That software sends/receives data exactly as defined
If two different programs implement the same protocol correctly, they can communicate, even if built by different people