What Is the Difference Between IMPA4 And POP3?

Question

This is a question that will probably come up on my I.C.T exam, so can someone help me.

(Can the please answer be clear and a bit detailed - but not too complicated so I can still understand)

Thanks

Answer 1

POP3 is based on the original Post Office Protocol (POP) and is a method for collecting your emails from a mail server. It use port 110 for a plain connection from the client. By default it removes all the collected emails from the server when they are copied to the client. There are options selectable in the client to let them remain on the server for a period after collection. IMAP is similar in operation. It uses port 143 to connect. In this case, however it creates all your sub-folders on the server, and the messages are stored on the server until you delete them, and then purge the relevant folder. This means they can be retrieved by any machine without removing them, so they remain available to check from another location. You can no longer collect POP3 email once you have viewed it from the client machine. IMAP is generally used for any web based mail host, as it permits simple collection from ANY browser. POP3 has the advantage that it clears your storage space on the server, meaning unlimited continued service. IMAP has the advantage of being available from any machine, but fills up your allocated storage space on the server unless you delete emails. This eventually results in a message that your quota is approaching full, if it does fill they will not accept any more mail until you remove some. If you are using a mail client, like Outlook or similar you can create local folders, then move mails from the IMAP folders to local. This keeps them, while clearing the server storage.

Answer 2

Internet message application protocol (commonly known as IMAP) is one of the two most prevalent Internet standard protocols for e-mail retrieval, the other being the Post Office Protocol (POP).[1] Virtually all modern e-mail clients and mail servers support both protocols as a means of transferring e-mail messages from a server.

Answer 3

The difference...



Generally IMAP is used by Microsoft Exchange mail servers and POP3 is used by web-based mail servers.

Answer 4

POP lets you check for new mail and download it (normally deleting it from the server).



On the other hand, IMAP lets you manipulate the e-mail remotely (e.g. organizing it into folders, reading, saving drafts), thus allowing you to manipulate it from several different places (you're not tied to a single machine).