SMTP Full Form
What is the full form of SMTP?
The full form of SMTP is the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is a standard protocol, which is used in a TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) connection for transmitting emails from one system to another through servers. In the early 1980s, SMTP started to be widely used. It was also developed along with another similar technology called Usenet. But SMTP served as a substitute for the Unix to Unix Copy Program (UUCP) at the time since UUCP was better equipped to handle email transfers between machines that were only sometimes connected. On the other hand, SMTP functions best when the sending and receiving machines are constantly linked to the network.
Components Of SMTP
Sending an email to one or more recipients via a network is made simple by the SMTP
components of the TCP/IP protocol suite at the application layer. Since then, it has been
standard practice whenever an email is sent from an email client like Gmail or Outlook
Express to a receiver using an email server.
The 4 essential components of SMTP are:
Mail User Agent (MUA): this component can be located on the user side or the end side which helps in the transfer of mail.
Mail Submission Agent (MSA): It is the server which receives from MUA and helps in the transmission of messages between MUA and MTA.
Mail Transfer Agent (MTA): This component accepts incoming Emails from local users and forwards them to the destination server for delivery. Here Multiple MTA can be used in transferring mail between the ends based on availability.
Mail Delivery Agent (MDA): This component helps to transfer the mail to the mailbox of the local receiver. When the user opens the mail the mail is transferred to the user’s application
Advantages Of SMTP
Store and forward is how SMTP moves your email through several networks. It works with the MTA (Mail Transfer Agent) to ensure that messages arrive at their intended destination. It specifies the path an email may take from one device's MTA to another's MTA. SMTP performs its duty at each intermediate stop during the message's multi-step journey from sender to receiver. The following are the main advantages of SMTP:
Users can request a dedicated server if necessary, unlike the other services.
It is an effective means of contact.
It facilitates networked communication between computers by use of electronic mail
Alerts.
Bulk mailing is possible with SMTP. making it suitable for large organizations and marketers.
Another advantage is its Low cost and extensive coverage, which ensure a higher delivery rate.
The Email tracking option helps the sender in getting updates about the status of the mail.