protocol stack

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

protocol stack

   <protocol> A layered set of {protocols} which work together to
   provide a set of network functions.  Each intermediate
   {protocol layer} uses the layer below it to provide a service
   to the layer above.

   The {OSI} seven layer model is an attempt to provide a
   standard framework within which to describe protocol stacks.

   (1997-12-07)