Computers communicating on a network must follow a _____, a common set of rules for exchanging information.

A) standard
B) protocol
C) syntax
D) topology

A protocol is a set of rules that governs the communications between computers on a network. It defines how data is transmitted over the network, what the data looks like, and how it is received. A standard is a technical specification that defines a particular product or system, while syntax refers to the rules governing the structure of language. Topology refers to the physical arrangement of devices on a network.