What is the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)?
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a standard for sending emails.
SMTP acts like a mailman for emails, moving messages from your outbox to the recipient’s inbox. Here’s a simple overview of how it works:
- Composing an Email: You write an email and click “send.”
- SMTP Takes Over: SMTP picks up your email from your device.
- Finding the Destination: SMTP determines the right address for your email.
- Delivering the Email: SMTP sends your email to the recipient’s server, where it waits in their inbox.
SMTP ensures emails are sent reliably across the internet.
How Does SMTP Work?
Think of SMTP like mailing a letter. Here’s the process:
- Starting the Process: Your email client (e.g., Gmail) connects to a mail server (like a post office).
- Sending the Email: The email client sends your message to the mail server, including the recipient’s info.
- Finding the Address: The mail server’s Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) uses DNS to find the recipient’s server.
- Finishing Up: The email moves through servers until it reaches the recipient’s inbox.
SMTP moves your email from one server to another until it arrives.
What is an SMTP Envelope?
The SMTP envelope is the “packaging” of your email that contains routing information, like the sender’s and recipient’s addresses. Unlike the email content, this envelope is not visible to the recipient.
What is an SMTP Server?
An SMTP server is a computer that helps send and receive emails. It includes:
- Mail Submission Agent (MSA): Receives your email from your app.
- Mail Transfer Agent (MTA): Passes your email to the next server, often using DNS to find the right address.
Together, SMTP servers manage the delivery of your emails. For more insight you can read The history of the SMTP protocol
