Mail Access Protocols

The e mail  message  are usually  sent to  an email  server that stores received message  in the  recipient   e mail  mailbox.  The user  retrieves message  with either  a web  browser  or an e mail client  that uses one of a number of mail  retrieval protocols.

Some clients  and servers preferentially use  vendor  specific  proprietary protocols. But  most  support  the internet  protocols, SMTP for sending  e mail  and POP3 ( post  office protocols version 3) and IMP4 ( internet Mail Access protocols , version 4 for  retrieving email  allowing mterprebability  with other servers and clients. SMTP can also  be used  for retrieving  email. It  is more  suitable for permanent  internet connection than  say a dialup connection and is not supported by most  e mail  client  software.