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SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol: What is it, how does it work and how to use it correctly?

Opening or sending an email is a simple task for most of us. However, you should know that for this to happen there is a server-client structure, where there is a user who is the one who sends the message and a server who is the one who processes and receives it.

For this to happen, the data that make up the email must be transferred, for which the SMTP protocol is used, What does Simple Mail Transfer Protocol mean?, where certain rules are executed so that it can be sent. Needless to say, without this protocol this could not happen.

The technique that exists today has a great quality in terms of sending and personalizing emails, since several of us use it frequently.

What is the SMTP Protocol and what is it for in computer networks?

SMTP is an email transmission system that, like TCP / IP, is integrated into Internet protocols. It is used with the intention that users can receive and send emails.

Usually used with POP3, or with the Internet message entry system called «IMAP», which is used to protect the messages found in the server's mailbox, and then be able to download them constantly to the destination user's server.

The aforementioned protocol are the standards that are used with the intention that authorize the transmission of information within a computer network, since SMTP itself is an Internet system.

There are cases where the SMTP It is only used for sending emails, as there are some technical limitations to accept them. This makes it necessary for the reception to use other types of Internet systems, such as the Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) or Post Office Protocol (POP).

The foregoing means that when an email is sent the IP address of a spammer is shared, which means that a circumstance occurs where the shipping prestige is damaged, which predominates in the adequate delivery of clean emails.

The moment the user sends an email using the SMTP protocol, what happens is that the email user, such as: Mozilla Thunderbird or Outlook Express sends a message through a server through SMTP. This server transports the message to Mail Transfer Agent (MTA), through the "Domain Name System (DNS)" in order to obtain the "MX record".

At the moment the message is accepted, it goes to a "Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)", which may need to run SMTP again with the intention of being able to deliver to the email server. It is then that through "IMAP" the recipient receives or retrieves his message in his email account.

What is the SMTP server of the most important email services and how to use them for free?

Next, we will explain how the SMTP protocol serves with the most common email services used by users:

Google Gmail

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<p>It is a totally free server that is used for those companies or people who do not handle a large volume of emails. It is an excellent option <strong>when you need to use Gmail and you need to send chain emails</strong>.</p>
<p>Gmail itself has a very large space, so it is trustworthy when you want to use its services online. But <strong>it has certain limits</strong>, since it only allows one hundred emails to be sent in an estimated time of 24 hours when they want to be reproduced using the SMTP protocol. This would result in a period of 1 month 3,000 free emails.</p>
<p>The aforementioned amount may be sufficient when your business is small, since <strong>In case you want to increase the fee, you will have to cancel the amount they charge for the payment service.</strong> The information you submit is available anywhere you require it.</p>
<h3>
<span class= Microsoft Outlook / Hotmail

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<p>This is one of the email services most used by Windows users, since in itself <strong>comes pre-installed on systems</strong> and it helps people to communicate via messages with other people through the SMTP system, they can also access emails using POP3 or IMAP protocols.</p>
<p><strong>We must say that it is very complete</strong>, since you manage to enjoy antispam filters, shared mailbox, calendar organizer, task organization, contact filter, calendar, search for messages and be able to customize it your way. It is also programmed and used to work with the email protocols of your choice.</p>
<h3>
<span class= Yahoo!

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<p>The SMTP servers in Yahoo are used in outgoing emails, which means that for your <strong>incoming emails</strong> Other types of protocols such as POP or IMAP are also used. In general, you can find these protocols in the configuration tab where you add the Yahoo account.</p>
<p>These types of Yahoo protocol <strong>are obtained in Google</strong> anytime. They are also used with much more protection through an additional security layer that is located in your Yahoo account.</p>
<p>That is why when another user wants to access your email it is blocked by this server in case the security you have is not standard. It is important that you know that <strong>it is not good that you activate the option </strong><strong>"Less secure applications"</strong>, because this can be a danger to your account and your personal information.</p>
<p>It is recommended that before setting up your email <strong>check very well what each option is for</strong>, and thus avoid any type of inconvenience with your account.</p>
<h2>
<span class= What are the main characteristics of the SMTP network protocol?

Over the years, emails have been a means of communication for Internet users, with one of the most widely used protocols being SMTP, which means «Protocol for Simple Mail Transfer».

Among its essential characteristics we can indicate the following:

  • It has text commands that are very easy to use.
  • It is a network protocol that is used for electronic messages.
  • It helps users to stay connected through a server, since messages are sent and received.
  • It has lines of text where the instructions of this system are specified.
  • They provide the option of being able to exchange email messages using "TCP / IP hosts".
  • It is made up of 3 protocols that are standard and that are applied to emails, among which are: MAIL, DATA and RCPT
  • It can be configured in conjunction with other protocols such as: POP3 or IMAP.
  • Sometimes SMTP is only used for outgoing emails, while POP3 or IMAP are used for incoming emails.
  • Through it there is the option of being able to synchronize a Smarthost server.

SMTP vs POP3 Which is better and how are they different?

Both protocols are used to manage emails on the Internet, but it must be made clear that each one has a different function in the dynamics sending and receiving emails.

Among the most outstanding differences we have the following:

  • SMTP is used to send messages; while POP3 runs to receive them.
  • With SMTP there is the sending server; and with POP3 is the receiving server.
  • SMTP sends the email from the sender's computer to the recipient's mailbox; while with POP3 it can be recovered, as well as organize the emails that are in the recipient's mailbox to the destination computer.

SMTP vs IMAP Which one is better and how is each one distinguished?

In general, emails are stored within the email server that you have entered and that have not been opened by the user.

However, when the user sends a message it goes up to the server of the outgoing emails using the SMTP protocol and immediately goes to the receiver's inbox.

Unlike the IMAP server, where the message is found on the receiving device without being downloaded from the server, that is, when an email has been opened on a device, when entering from another the same one leaves as read, and at the moment the user makes the request, it is necessary to permanently connect to the Internet so that they can enter the email and view the message.

Because messages do not need to be downloaded, it is much easier to read them. Also here is achieved sort folders, for any user to see. It should be noted that when a user makes a modification on the server, other users can see it. It is important to program the period with which the user accesses new messages, something that can also be done manually.