Basic Services

---

IMail Server consists of a number of services that run on Windows NT/2000. The basic service that enables the Windows system to send and receive mail is the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The services that allow access to mail by client systems are Post Office Protocol Version 3 (POP3) and the Internet Message Access Protocol Version 4 (IMAP4).

SMTP

The SMTP server sends and receives mail from other Internet hosts using the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). The SMTP server processes all incoming and outgoing mail. Outgoing mail is spooled until the SMTP server confirms that it arrived at its destination. Incoming mail is spooled until users access it by using a POP3 or IMAP4 mail client.

IMail Server provides support for alternate SMTP, POP3, and IMAP4 authentication methods to provide a secure means of sending user IDs and passwords across networks.

You can control access to the SMTP server, by specifying an IP address or set of IP addresses that are either granted or denied access. You can also exclude specific e-mail addresses or domains through the use of the Kill file, which lets you specify a mail address or a host from which you do not want to accept mail.

Mail relay options provide additional security, such as Relay for local hosts only, Relay for local users only, Relay Mail for Addresses and No Mail Relay. For more information on SMTP, see "Chapter 5: SMTP Server".

POP3

Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) is the most common protocol for communicating with a mail server (otherwise known as a post office) to retrieve messages for a user. POP3 servers hold mail for users until they connect to download their messages.

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.

In the "online" access method, 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.

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

For more information on POP3 see "Chapter 7: POP3 Server".

IMAP4

Internet Message Access Protocol version 4 (IMAP4) is a method of accessing electronic mail messages that are kept on a mail server. It allows a client e-mail application to access messages remotely as if they were local. For example, e-mail that is stored on an IMAP server can be accessed from a home computer without having to transfer the message or files between the computers.

The IMAP4 Server lets any IMAP4 mail client communicate with IMail Server. Supported IMAP4 clients include Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer 4.0 and above.

Like POP3, IMAP4 uses SMTP for communication between the e-mail client and server. For more information on IMAP4 see "Chapter 8: IMAP4 Server".

Web Messaging

Web Messaging allows users to access their mail on the IMail Server system from any web browser on the Internet. Users can maintain an address book, use BCCs ("blind carbon copies") and use delivery rules to process incoming mail. Users can also manage mailboxes by sorting messages and creating "Sent" and "Deleted" mailboxes. Web messaging is also equipped with a Spell Checker and a customizable user dictionary.

Web Messaging administrators can manage virtual hosts, aliases, users and list-server mailing lists from a web browser. They can also use HTML templates to customize, by host, the look and functionality of the web pages.

Web Messaging also supports online advertising. This can be used by Internet Service Providers who want to display banner ads at the top of the Web Messaging pages and sell online advertising space on their mail server. For more information on Web Messaging see "Chapter 9: IMail Web Messaging".

Web Calendaring

IMail Web Calendaring is a web-based calendar that allows you to keep multiple schedules accessible through an intuitive web interface. IMail Web Calendaring provides a user-friendly interface for storing schedules, setting appointments, recording notes and tasks, and receiving e-mail reminders containing the date, time, and description of the appointment. Users can also send e-mail requests to other people inviting them to appointments or events.

Because it is web-based, IMail Web Calendaring allows the user remote access through any web browser connected to the Internet.

Like IMail Web Messaging, IMail Web Calendaring also supports online advertising. For more information on Web Calendaring see "Chapter 10: IMail Web Calendaring".

Ipswitch, Inc. http://www.ipswitch.com

©Ipswitch 2001