MDA (Mail Delivery Agent) - software that stores messages for batch retrieval for MUAs
Now that you’ve got the SMTP vocabulary down, let’s see how it all fits together to create the protocol for transferring electronic messages over the internet.
Here are the 6 main steps that comprise the electronic message data transfer process for SMTP:
Email is submitted by a MUA to a mail server’s MSA
The message is transferred to the server’s MTA (the MTA and MSA are usually hosted on the same SMTP server)
The MTA checks the MX record of the recipient domain and transfers the message to another MTA (this step can occur multiple times until the message is received by the proper receiving server)
The message is handed off to the MDA, which saves messages in the proper format for retrieval by the receiving MUA
The receiving MUA requests the message from the MDA (usually with POP3 or IMAP)
The message is delivered to the receiving MUA‘s inbox
A diagram showing how the SMTP server sends emails.
The SMTP process illustrated
What is an SMTP server?
Any server that sends, receives, handles, transfers, lebanon telephone number data or stores emails transferred through SMTP can be considered an SMTP server.
‘Regular’ SMTP servers for sending everyday personal email. These servers typically belong to email providers like Gmail, Internet Service Providers like AT&T, or web hosting providers like Bluehost. They usually have strict daily sending limits.
Dedicated SMTP relay servers for sending bulk email and transactional emails. Companies like Brevo have dedicated servers that support high-volume sending for their customers.
What is an SMTP Relay?
SMTP Relay refers to the actual SMTP servers through which emails pass before arriving at their destination. But no need to get into the specifics, just think of it as a synonym for SMTP server.
Where is the SMTP server address located?
If you’re wondering where to find your SMTP server address, it’ll be in the SMTP settings of your email client or webmail provider.
These settings tell the email client or webmail provider where they need to send an email to.
Each SMTP server has its own SMTP email address or server name. For example, the Gmail SMTP server address is smtp.gmail.com and the Brevo SMTP address is smtp.relay.brevo.com.
Reminder: The difference between an email client and a webmail provider
Email clients and webmail providers are two methods of sending, receiving, and storing emails.
