15 Minute Series What is a protocol?


Think of an electronic mail message. Both the format of the electronic mail message and the way that it is transmitted across the network are described and governed by a protocol.

Protocols ensure that electronic mail messages are correctly formatted and transmitted from the originating computer to the destination computer.

A comparison can be made to the rules that govern how letters are handled by the post office:

Diagram showing a formatted envelope making its way through the postal system




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