What is smtp mail host

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used for sending and receiving email messages over the internet. An SMTP mail host is a server that handles the sending and receiving of email messages using the SMTP protocol.

An SMTP mail host typically performs the following functions:

  1. Relaying: The SMTP mail host acts as a relay between the sender's email client and the recipient's email server. It receives the email message from the sender's email client and forwards it to the recipient's email server.
  2. Authentication: The SMTP mail host authenticates the sender's email client using a username and password or other authentication mechanisms.
  3. Routing: The SMTP mail host routes the email message to the recipient's email server based on the recipient's email address.
  4. Delivery: The SMTP mail host delivers the email message to the recipient's email server, which then stores it in the recipient's email inbox.

SMTP mail hosts can be categorized into two types:

  1. Mail Transfer Agents (MTAs): MTAs are responsible for transferring email messages between email servers. They are typically used by email service providers (ESPs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to route email messages.
  2. Mail Submission Agents (MSAs): MSAs are responsible for accepting email messages from email clients and forwarding them to MTAs or other email servers. They are typically used by email clients and webmail services to send email messages.

Some common examples of SMTP mail hosts include:

  1. Gmail's SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com)
  2. Yahoo Mail's SMTP server (smtp.mail.yahoo.com)
  3. Outlook.com's SMTP server (smtp-mail.outlook.com)
  4. Mailgun's SMTP server (smtp.mailgun.org)
  5. Sendgrid's SMTP server (smtp.sendgrid.net)

When setting up an email client or webmail service, you may need to configure the SMTP mail host settings, including the server name, port number, username, and password.