Protocols define the rules and format for how computers exchange information over a network. The key features of protocols include syntax, semantics, and timing. There are two main protocol models - the TCP/IP model and OSI reference model. TCP/IP is comprised of four layers including network access, internet, host-to-host transport, and application layers. The OSI model has seven layers and provides a framework for developing networking standards. Common protocols like TCP, IP, UDP, HTTP, FTP and SMTP control how different aspects of networking like file transfers, email, and web browsing function.