IP (Internet Protocol)
A protocol that specifies the way data is broken into packets and the way those packets are addressed for transmission. Unlike traditional telephone lines which create a straight path from caller to recipient; IP uses the best available path at any given moment to move data packets between point A & point B. The beauty of IP is that the sending end and receiving end communicate success in sending and receiving to insure all data packets are delivered. A really great concept of IP is that of self healing. If a route is broken and the data packets cannot be delivered an alternate route is automatically selected.