A protocol is:

a. A device that handles the switching of voice and data in a local area network

b. A standard set of rules and procedures for the control of communications in a network

c. A communication service for the connection of devices in a local area network

d. The main communications channel in a wide-area network.

e. Synonymous with network interface card.

The answer is: B) a standard set of rules and procedures for control of communications in a network.

Explanation:

To exchange information between computers across a network, there must be a preexisting agreement as to how the information will be structured and how the sender and receiver will behave. Without a protocol, receive or send information, the communication between computers will be impossible. The computer protocol is OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) sets guidelines for implementing networking communications between computers.