protocol
Technology Dictionary -> protocolSearch:
protocol
A set of formal rules describing how to transmit data,
especially across a network. Low level protocols define the
electrical and physical standards to be observed, bit- and
byte-ordering and the transmission and error detection and
correction of the bit stream. High level protocols deal with
the data formatting, including the syntax of messages, the
terminal to computer dialogue, character sets, sequencing of
messages etc.
Many protocols are defined by RFCs or by OSI.
See also handshaking.
[Jargon File]
(1995-01-12)