Logging into your email account to retrieve email seems fairly simple. However, there is technology working behind the scenes, such as simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) and internet networks to ensure you can send and receive email. Think about SMTP as a mail carrier, sorting and delivering messages to mail servers. These messages are then delivered directly to your email inbox.
How SMTP Evolved
Electronic messaging was created decades before the internet revolution. In the 1960s people were exploring how to communicate using mainframe computers. The U.S. Government was the first to create a server to transmit email. In the 1970s, the mailbox protocol was developed, which was an early version of SMTP. The modern version of this technology was developed in 1982.
How Does SMTP Work?
SMPT is responsible for transmitting email across Internet networks (IPs). This technology is used specifically for sending outgoing email. Clients typically use applications such as Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) or Post Office Protocol (POP) to access to their email box. For example, if you send an email it goes to a mail server using SMTP. The mail client will then deliver it to the user’s mailbox.
SMTP Basic Functions
SMTP is responsible for a little more then just deliver messages to servers. It performs several functions that streamlines the delivery process.
- It evaluates the configuration and grants permission to the computer who is trying to send a message.
- It can also track if the message was sent successfully. If it isn’t, an error message is sent to the sender.
- Extended SMTP is a little more advanced then older versions. It helps cut back on email spam.
Resolved Limiting Factors
Previous versions of this technology had limiting figures, such as the location of the client within the network. SMTP allows clients to submit emails quickly regardless of the recipient’s location. That’s because current SMTP technology uses a client’s authentication (which are their accreditations) instead of the license IP address to send email.
SMTP servers allow email communications to run more efficiently. Can you imagine what would happen if you didn’t receive an important client email? SMTP technology is increasingly important as businesses grow and need more reliability.
By Nikki
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s pretty crazy how much goes on behind the scenes, just for us to be able to get our email.I think most of us have Santa syndrome and think little elves just snap their fingers and make it appear there, but it so much more complicated than that.
SMTP is something that you never hear anyone talk about, but it’s so important.
Things like this are just completely taken for granted.
Imagine how terrible it would be if SMTP wasn’t constantly improving and didn’t block out spam and all that kind of junk.
i wonder how it came to be created, it seems so complex even though it does what we see as such simple things. i’m looking forward to what new thing they’ll figure out to make our email even more incredible.