Mail Protocols ============== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: IMAP POP3 SMTP These protocols are used for sending, receiving, and managing email across networks, each offering different features for message retrieval and delivery. .. list-table:: :widths: 15 65 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Protocol - Description - Use Case * - IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) - Allows clients to access and manipulate emails stored on a mail server. *Supports synchronization across multiple devices and folder management.* - Accessing and managing email from multiple devices * - POP3 (Post Office Protocol version 3) - Simple protocol for downloading emails from the server to a local client. *Typically removes messages from the server after download.* - Retrieving email on a single device with offline access * - SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - Standard protocol for sending email between clients and servers. *Handles outgoing mail and server-to-server relay.* - Sending email messages over the internet .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) **RFC:** RFC 3501 **Main Features:** - Access and manage email stored on a mail server - Supports folder structures, message flags, and partial message fetch - Allows synchronization across multiple devices **Use Cases:** - Multi-device email access (desktop, webmail, mobile) - Server-side mailbox management and search - Consistent mailbox state across devices **Alternative Protocols:** - POP3 – Simpler, single-device email access without sync .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about IMAP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`IMAP Version&RFC Details ` * :ref:`IMAP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`IMAP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`IMAP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`IMAP Usecases ` * :ref:`IMAP Basic Features ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Remote Email Access ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Multi Device Synchronization ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Selective Downloading ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Folder Management ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Message Flags ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Concurrent Access ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Offline Access Support ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Search Capability ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Partial Fetch ` * :ref:`IMAP Feature : Server Side Storage ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./IMAP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "IMAP" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: POP3 (Post Office Protocol v3) **RFC:** RFC 1939 **Main Features:** - Downloads email from server to client device - Typically deletes messages from the server after download - Lightweight and easy to implement **Use Cases:** - Offline email access on single device - Environments with limited storage or no constant internet **Alternative Protocols:** - IMAP – For synchronized, server-based access and multi-device use .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about POP3:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`POP3 Version&RFC Details ` * :ref:`POP3 Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`POP3 Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`POP3 Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`POP3 Usecases ` * :ref:`POP3 Basic Features ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Simple Protocol ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Email Download ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Offline Access ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Server Cleanup ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Limited Command ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Authentication Support ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Port Based Authentication ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : No Folder Support ` * :ref:`POP3 Feature : Optional TLS Encryption ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./POP3.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "POP3" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) **RFC:** RFC 5321 **Main Features:** - Used for sending and relaying email messages - Supports authentication and encryption (via ESMTP, STARTTLS, etc.) - Queues and forwards email between MTAs (Mail Transfer Agents) **Use Cases:** - Sending email from client to mail server - Server-to-server transmission of outgoing email - Bulk email services and email relays **Alternative Protocols:** - SMTP is the universal standard; no widely used alternatives .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about SMTP:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`SMTP Version&RFC Details ` * :ref:`SMTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`SMTP Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 ` * :ref:`SMTP Protocol Packet Details ` * :ref:`SMTP Usecases ` * :ref:`SMTP Basic Features ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Text Based Protocol ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Client Server Architecture ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Store and Forward Mechanism ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Port Based Communication ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Command Set Feature ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Encryption Support ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Interoperability ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Support For Authentication ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Header And Body Seperation ` * :ref:`SMTP Feature : Reliable Delivery ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./SMTP.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "SMTP"