E Mail Protocols

E-MAIL PROTOCOLS
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E-mail Protocols are set of rules that help the client to properly transmit the information to or from
the mail server. Here in this tutorial, we will discuss various protocols such as SMTP, POP, and
IMAP.
SMPTP
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It was first proposed in 1982. It is a standard
protocol used for sending e-mail efficiently and reliably over the internet.
Key Points:
SMTP is application level protocol.
SMTP is connection oriented protocol.
SMTP is text based protocol.
It handles exchange of messages between e-mail servers over TCP/IP network.
Apart from transferring e-mail, SMPT also provides notification regarding incoming mail.
When you send e-mail, your e-mail client sends it to your e-mail server which further
contacts the recipient mail server using SMTP client.
These SMTP commands specify the sender’s and receiver’s e-mail address, along with the
message to be send.
The exchange of commands between servers is carried out without intervention of any user.
In case, message cannot be delivered, an error report is sent to the sender which makes
SMTP a reliable protocol.
SMTP Commands
The following table describes some of the SMTP commands:
S.N. Command Description
1 HELLO
This command initiates the SMTP conversation.
2 EHELLO
This is an alternative command to initiate the conversation. ESMTP indicates that the
sender server wants to use extended SMTP protocol.
3 MAIL FROM
This indicates the sender’s address.
4 RCPT TO
It identifies the recipient of the mail. In order to deliver similar message to multiple users
this command can be repeated multiple times.
5 SIZE
This command let the server know the size of attached message in bytes.
6 DATA
The DATA command signifies that a stream of data will follow. Here stream of data
refers to the body of the message.
7 QUIT
This commands is used to terminate the SMTP connection.
8 VERFY
This command is used by the receiving server in order to verify whether the given
username is valid or not.
9 EXPN
It is same as VRFY, except it will list all the users name when it used with a distribution
list.
IMAP
IMAP stands for Internet Mail Access Protocol. It was first proposed in 1986. There exist five
versions of IMAP as follows:
1. Original IMAP
2. IMAP2
3. IMAP3
4. IMAP2bis
5. IMAP4
Key Points:
IMAP allows the client program to manipulate the e-mail message on the server without
downloading them on the local computer.
The e-mail is hold and maintained by the remote server.
It enables us to take any action such as downloading, delete the mail without reading the
mail.It enables us to create, manipulate and delete remote message folders called mail
boxes.
IMAP enables the users to search the e-mails.
It allows concurrent access to multiple mailboxes on multiple mail servers.
IMAP Commands
The following table describes some of the IMAP commands:
1 IMAP_LOGIN
This command opens the connection.
2 CAPABILITY
This command requests for listing the capabilities that the server supports.
3 NOOP
This command is used as a periodic poll for new messages or message status updates
during a period of inactivity.
4 SELECT
This command helps to select a mailbox to access the messages.
5 EXAMINE
It is same as SELECT command except no change to the mailbox is permitted.
6 CREATE
It is used to create mailbox with a specified name.
7 DELETE
It is used to permanently delete a mailbox with a given name.
8 RENAME
It is used to change the name of a mailbox.
9 LOGOUT
This command informs the server that client is done with the session. The server must
send BYE untagged response before the OK response and then close the network
connection.
POP
POP stands for Post Office Protocol. It is generally used to support a single client. There are several
versions of POP but the POP 3 is the current standard.
Key Points
POP is an application layer internet standard protocol.
Since POP supports offline access to the messages, thus requires less internet usage time.
POP does not allow search facility.
In order to access the messaged, it is necessary to download them.
It allows only one mailbox to be created on server.
It is not suitable for accessing non mail data.
POP commands are generally abbreviated into codes of three or four letters. Eg. STAT.
POP Commands
The following table describes some of the POP commands:
1 LOGIN
This command opens the connection.
2 STAT
It is used to display number of messages currently in the mailbox.
3 LIST
It is used to get the summary of messages where each message summary is shown.
4 RETR
This command helps to select a mailbox to access the messages.
5 DELE
It is used to delete a message.
6 RSET
It is used to reset the session to its initial state.
7 QUIT
It is used to log off the session.
Comparison between POP and IMAP

S.N. POP IMAP
1 Generally used to support single client. Designed to handle multiple clients.
2 Messages are accessed offline. Messages are accessed online although it

also supports offline mode.
3 POP does not allow search facility. It offers ability to search emails.
4 All the messages have to be downloaded. It allows selective transfer of messages to

the client.
5 Only one mailbox can be created on the Multiple mailboxes can be created on the
server. server.
6 Not suitable for accessing non-mail data. Suitable for accessing non-mail data i.e.
attachment.
7 POP commands are generally abbreviated IMAP commands are not abbreviated,
into codes of three or four letters. Eg. STAT. they are full. Eg. STATUS.
8 It requires minimum use of server Clients are totally dependent on server.

resources.
9 Mails once downloaded cannot be accessed Allows mails to be accessed from multiple
from some other location. locations.
10 The e-mails are not downloaded Users can view the headings and sender
automatically. of e-mails and then decide to download.
10 POP requires less internet usage time. IMAP requires more internet usage time.

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E-MAIL PROTOCOLS

http://www.tutorialspoint.com/internet_technologies/e_mail_protocols.htm Copyright © tutorialspoint.com

SMTP is application level protocol.

SMTP is connection oriented protocol.

SMTP is text based protocol.

It handles exchange of messages between e-mail servers over TCP/IP network.

S.N. Command Description

The e-mail is hold and maintained by the remote server.

IMAP enables the users to search the e-mails.

It allows concurrent access to multiple mailboxes on multiple mail servers.

S.N. Command Description

POP is an application layer internet standard protocol.

POP does not allow search facility.

In order to access the messaged, it is necessary to download them.

It allows only one mailbox to be created on server.

It is not suitable for accessing non mail data.

S.N. Command Description

Comparison between POP and IMAP

1 Generally used to support single client. Designed to handle multiple clients.

2 Messages are accessed offline. Messages are accessed online although it

4 All the messages have to be downloaded. It allows selective transfer of messages to

8 It requires minimum use of server Clients are totally dependent on server.

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