A protocol stack is a complete set of network protocol layers that work together to provide networking capabilities. It is called as stack because it is designed as a hierarchy of layers, each supporting one above it and using those below it. A protocol is a mutually agreed upon format for doing something. With regard to computers, it most commonly refers a set of rules that enables computers to connect and transmit data to one another. A protocol can be implemented by hardware, software or a combination of the two.
Regardless of the number of layers, the lowest protocols always deal with low level, physical interaction of the hardware. Each higher layer adds additional features, an user applications typically interact only with the uppermost layers. The layers can be broadly classified as media, transport and application.
The media-to-transport interface defines how transport protocol software makes use of particular media and hardware types. The application-to-transport interface defines how application programs make use of the transport layers.
Example of protocol stack and corresponding layers:
Protocol----- Layer
1. HTTP----- Application
2. TCP------- Transport
3. IP ---------Internet
4. Ethernet--- Link
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