What is a networking protocol? pls read details below -?

Question

I have scoured the internet and books, and this is what I know: a netw protocol is a set of rules and standards that enables a computer to communicate over the network. What I don't understand is this: is a network protocol just a written paper document that says: " a header has to be 8 bits long and the time-to live field has to be 7 bits long..." and information like that, or is a protocol actual software that applies those rules (f.ex. it assembles and disassembles datapackages according to certain rules)? Let me define my problem in an example: in the justice system there is the written law and the people who enforce this law. Is the protocol the written document like the lawbook or is software that enforces rules in data transmission like the poilceman enforces the law. policeman who enforces the law?

Thanks for your answer. If you know a website that supports your answer, that would be a bonus.

Answer 1

It goes a little farther than that, first, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) determines the standards for all computer communications, e.g 802.11 (wireless) 802.3 (ethernet) etc.  Then, the IETF (The Internet Engineering Task Force) comes up with an RFC for each protocol using the above standards from the IEEE.  Hardware and software vendors must at least meet the minimum requirements as defined by IEEE and IETF in order to call it ftp or e-mail etc.  There is no actual enforcement per se, if a vendors software/hardware fails to work with another vendors software/hardware, there is little than can be done other than complaining, and hoping that the party that actually failed to meet the standard is forced by the end users to meet the standard, or suffer loss of revenue.

Answer 2

A protocol can be defined as the rules governing the syntax, semantics, and synchronization of communication. Protocols may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of the two. At the lowest level, a protocol defines the behavior of a hardware connection.  So it's the rules AND the software that defines it.