Chapter 10: POP3 Server

The POP3 Server lets any POP3 (Post Office Protocol, Version 3) mail client communicate with IMail Server. Supported POP3 clients include Internet Explorer, Netscape Messenger or Communicator, Eudora, Pegasus, NuPOP, Z-Mail, and UNIX mail.

POP3 clients typically use the "off-line" method of accessing the mail server: the mail client periodically connects to the server, downloads the messages to the client computer, and then disconnects from the server. Thus, mail messages are stored only temporarily on the server computer; they are automatically deleted from the server computer when downloaded to the client computer. This method is best suited to users who always read their mail from the same client computer.

In the "online" access methods, an open connection is maintained between the client and the server. Messages are left on the mail server computer and users can read mail on the server without downloading. This allows users to access mail from mail clients on different computers, for example, from a laptop on the road.

As a Windows NT service, the POP3 service can run completely hidden or with some feedback. The POP3 server will continue to run when you log off the Windows NT computer.

See RFC 1939 for a description of the POP3 protocol.

IMail Server also offers mail client access via the IMAP4 (Internet Message Access Protocol Version 4). The IMAP4 server provides both "online" and "off-line" methods of access. For more information on the IMAP4 server, see "Chapter 11: IMAP4 Server".

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