The Internet Protocol

The Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules that governs how data is sent and received over the internet. It ensures that information, such as emails or web pages, is broken into smaller packets and sent from one device to another. Each device on the network has a unique IP address, like a home address, that identifies it. This allows data to be directed to the correct location. IP is crucial for communication between devices, enabling everything from browsing websites to streaming videos, making it a fundamental aspect of how the internet operates.