Which of the following is an example of a Network Layer protocol?

The correct choice is IP, which stands for Internet Protocol. As a Network Layer protocol, IP is responsible for addressing and routing packets of data so that they can travel across networks and reach their intended destination. It defines the format of packets and how they are transmitted between devices on different networks, playing a crucial role in the functioning of the Internet.

IP operates at the Network Layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model, which is tasked with routing, forwarding, and addressing of packets. It ensures that data can move from one device to another over a network, regardless of the physical or data link technologies being used. This capability is foundational to how versatile and interconnected modern networking is.

In contrast, the other options represent protocols operating at different layers of the OSI model. TCP, for example, operates at the Transport Layer (Layer 4), handling end-to-end communication and ensuring the reliable transmission of data. HTTP is an application layer protocol (Layer 7), utilized for transmitting hypertext across the web. Similarly, FTP, also at the application layer, is used for transferring files between systems. Therefore, these protocols serve different purposes and functions, emphasizing why IP is the correct choice as a Network Layer protocol.