10.3.2.2. Remote mail servers

The most popular protocols to access mail remotely are POP3 and IMAP4. IMAP and POP both allow offline operation, remote access to new mail and they both rely on an SMTP server to send mail.

While POP is a simple protocol, easy to implement and supported by almost any mail client, IMAP is to be preferred because:

• It can manipulate persistent message status flags.

• It can store as well as fetch mail messages.

• It can access and manage multiple mailboxes.

• It supports concurrent updates and shared mailboxes.

• It is also suitable for accessing Usenet messages and other documents.

• IMAP works both on-line and off-line.

• it is optimized for on-line performance, especially over low-speed links.