What are network protocols?

Network protocols are fundamentally rules and conventions that dictate how data is transmitted and received over a network. They establish the standards for communication between devices, ensuring that they can exchange information effectively and interpret it correctly. For example, when one device sends data to another, protocols define how that data should be packaged, addressed, transmitted, routed, and received. This ensures compatibility and functionality among devices from different manufacturers operating on the same network.

The other options provided do not accurately define network protocols. While physical devices do connect to a network, they are separate from the rules governing communication between these devices. Services that enhance internet speed may rely on protocols but are not protocols themselves. Similarly, security measures like encryption protocols are certainly important, but they do not encapsulate the broader concept of what defines network protocols as a whole. Thus, the importance of rules and conventions in facilitating seamless communication is what truly characterizes network protocols.