Unit 4 ASSIGNMENT 1

Unit 4 Assignment

Purdue University Global

Unit 4 Assignment

IMAP, POP3, and SMTP are al varying protocols used with emailing communications across a network. Depending on how the sysadmin or network architect wants the network to function you may use one over the other, but generally speaking, a combination is used to effectively communicate across different devices using email. For example, you may find that using both SMTP and IMAP are the best options, or you may prefer to use POP3 in place of IMAP. Below is an exposition into the contrasts

between each protocols and benefits/drawbacks of each.

SMTP

SMTP is an acronym for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and is the default for sending emails across a network. This is why it works in tandem with the more complex protocols we’ll be discussing, IMAP and POP. SMTP works by sending mail from an email client/application, through an SMTP server, which is then relayed to the email server (Sitemap 2020). Due to it being inherent to sending messages from your email application, it’s

probable that SMTP will be used in the network.

IMAP

Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) is a protocol used in receiving email communications from a remote server on a local client.

Much like SMTP is sent from the device initiating the communications, after receiving an OK 250 code from a device sending SMTP, the receiving device will then initiate IMAP protocol to fetch the message and deliver it to the user (Sitemap 2020). IMAP allows the emails to be retrieved by multiple clients in multiple instances and is best suited for networks that have multiple users that need constant email access. It important to consider IMAP does not delete any data transferred

POP3

Post Office Protocol is similar to IMAP in the way that it operates, but it has different security measures in place than IMAP. POP3 is designed for user to receive emails in one specific instance, and discards the email once it’s retrieved from the email server. The benefit to this is that the emails are then stored on the receiving device, removing the possibility of any hacking done in the cloud, as using IMAP leaves the emails in the remote web server. POP3 prevents multiple users from accessing emails, so if the network needs to allow for them, POP3 isn’t the best idea. For one user that

needs to store large amounts of sensitive data: it’s a better idea.

Summation

A network requires multiple different types of internet protocols in order to function properly. SMTP is required by default in most cases as users needs to send communications to the server and/or each other. IMAP will be the next most likely protocol used as it benefits multiple users receiving emails which is what email is designed for. POP3 would occur in more specific cases of users needing to protect sensitive information after receiving it.

References:

Email Protocols - POP3, SMTP and IMAP Tutorial. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.siteground.com/tutorials/email/protocols-pop3-smtp-imap/

Porrini, J. (n.d.). SMTP or IMAP: What’s the Difference? [Bonus: What is POP3?]. Retrieved from https://www.socketlabs.com/blog/smtp-or-imap/

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