SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol): is the mail server that sends mail for you.
In other words, when you click "send," your email message is sent to the SMTP,
where it is relayed to it's destination.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3): This is the server that stores your email for you.
Email comes in through the SMTP server and is stored on a server (called the POP3
server) somewhere until you download it with your email client.

The SMTP and POP3 servers are often the same physical computer.



Author: Eric C. Vogel
Source: John Maddon's Post on Computer Talk Shop 4/25/99
Posted: 5/3/99
Updated: 11/22/2000


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