What is a protocol suite and how are protocols organized within it?

A protocol suite is a group of inter-related protocols that work together to perform a communication function, organized into higher (application) and lower (data-moving) layers.

A protocol suite is:

• A group of inter-related protocols necessary to perform a communication function
• Sets of rules that work together to help solve a problem

Layer organization:

• Higher Layers - Concerned with application data and user interaction
• Lower Layers - Concerned with moving data across the network and providing services to upper layers

Protocols must be able to work with other protocols, which is why they're organized into suites.

Go deeper:

• Internet protocol suite — the canonical example of inter-related protocols organized into higher and lower layers.