What is SMTP?

Nowadays, almost everyone has an email account. It is used to communicate on a personal level as well as in business. People send email greeting cards, contracts, and even money through their email accounts. What exactly is an email and how does it work? This article provides explanation on the SMTP.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP): Definition

SMTP defined SMTP is an acronym for "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol." It is an outgoing mail server that delivers email (electronic mail) to a mail server where it can be retrieved by the recipient. It will check the configuration and either allow the computer to send the message or deny it. If the email cannot be sent successfully, it will send a message, notifying the sender of the problem. In order to send and receive email messages successfully, an email account must be set up with a provider, configuring the SMTP and POP3 properly. How does SMTP work? The sender of an email message specifies the server that the email should be sent to by entering in the email account of the recipient. The simple mail transfer protocol then sends the message to the server specified. The SMTP tracks the message and reports back to the sender if failure of delivery occurs. An SMTP server has a unique code used to identify itself on the network. For example, Smtp.emailprovider.com.

Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3): Definition

What is POP3? POP3 is an acronym for "Post Office Protocol 3." It is used by email clients to receive email messages from the remote server. The POP3 must be configured correctly for the SMTP server to download messages successfully. The POP3 has its own code. For example, Mail.emailprovider.com. When an email is sent, it is stored on the server until the recipient opens it. It is then moved from the SMTP server to the local hard drive of the recipient's computer and stored there.
Putting it all together A mailbox is provided by the email client. It is the main location for sending and receiving electronic mail over the internet. SMTP and POP3 must both be set up correctly in order to send and receive email messages from the mailbox. A password must be set when the email account is created to protect the account from others to gain access to.