Exactly How Emails Works – Steps and Explanation
By Jithin on August 22nd, 2016
We all use emails because it is fast and makes our lives easier. In the conventional mailing system, the processing time was indefinite. When comparing both systems, there is a drastic difference. However, in some unusual situations, the emails could be delayed unpredictably.
Knowing how the email system works is important to all the email users. However, most of us are unaware of what goes on behind the scenes. Learning this will help to figure out the status of your emails sent that ended up in an error or with a bounce back message.
We will see the working of emails in detail in this article.
What is email?
The term “email” stands for “electronic mail”. The electronic mail is introduced first in the 1960s, however it became available in the current structure in the 1970s. Let us take a look at how email actually works.
Protocols used in email systems
The email communication is done via three protocols in general. They are listed below.
- IMAP
- POP
- SMTP
IMAP
The IMAP stands for Internet Mail Access Protocol. This protocol is used while receiving an email. When one uses IMAP, the emails will be present in the server and not get downloaded to the user’s mail box and deleted from the server. This helps to have less memory used in the local computer and server memory is increased.
POP
The POP stands for Post Office Protocol. This protocol is also used for incoming emails. The main difference with the both protocols is that POP downloads the entire email into the local computer and deletes the data on the server once it is downloaded. This is helpful in a server with less free memory. Current version of POP is POP3.
SMTP
The SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Email is sent using this protocol.
How does email work?
The diagram down below describes the path that email takes from your computer to the intended recipient . This shows the path of the email from sending to receiving ends. There are also many logical machines in the email delivery process. Please have a look at the diagram before proceeding.
Terms to know
Mail Server
A mail server is a computer application. This application receives incoming emails from the local users (people within same domain) as well as remote senders and forwards outgoing email for delivery. A computer having such an application installed can also be called as a mail server. Here, this is the case of what we call a mail server. Here, in the diagram you can see two mail servers. The two mail servers which are used for outgoing emails are called as MTAs, mail transfer agents. The other two mail servers used for incoming, using POP3/IMAP protocols are called as MDAs, the mail delivery agents.
DNS
The DNS stands for Domain Name System. The purpose of the DNS is to translate the domain names to the IP addresses and vice-versa. The DNS is used here to find out the mail server of the other side. This information is retrieved from the DNS and the email message is sent to the particular email address.
How Emails Work
First the sender needs to enter the email address of the recipient along with the message using an email application. This should be done at the local computers. Once it is finished and the “Send” button is clicked, the email will be going to the MTA (The Mail Transfer Agent). This communication is done via the SMTP protocol.
The next step is DNS lookup. The system sends a request to find out the corresponding MTA of the recipient. This will be done with the help of the MX record. In the DNS zone, for the receiver address’ domain, there will be an MX record (stands for Mail Exchanger record). This is a DNS resource record which specifies the mail server of a domain. So, after the DNS lookup, a response is given to the requested mail server with the IP address of the recipient’s mail server. This way the ‘to’ mail server is identified.
The next step is transferring the message between the mail servers. The SMTP protocol is used for this communication. Now our message is with the recipient mail server (MTA).
Now, this message is transferred to the Mail Delivery Agent and then it is transferred to the recipient’s local computer. As we have seen earlier, two protocols can be used here. If we use POP3, then the whole email will be downloaded to the local computer and the copy at the server gets deleted. If the protocol used is IMAP, then the email message is stored in the mail server itself, but the user can easily manipulate the emails on the mail server as in the local computer. This is the difference when using both the protocols and this is how your email gets delivered. If some error occurred to send the email, the emails will be delayed. There is a mail queue in every mail server. These mails will be pending in the mail queue. The mail server will keep trying to resend the email. Once the email sending fails permanently, the mail server may send a bounce back email message to the sender’s email address.
This explains why you maybe getting bounce back emails sometimes. The reason for bouncing back will be explained in the message. There are many reasons for getting an email to bounce back such as as incorrect email address in the ‘to’ field.
If you need any further assistance please reach our support department.
How can I get access to all the emails stored in the mail server for all users before sending them to the users mailbox.
I am trying to build a email phishing detection program. I need to intercept emails and check them before they reach the client.
If you are using our Shared Hosting or Private Email Hosting plans, then those plans have some inbuilt tools to prevent most of such attacks. You may also check this article to know how to prevent email attacks: https://www.interserver.net/tips/kb/spam-prevention-methods-cpanel/
i think nobody could explain like this.
I really enjoy the explanation…straight forward and in simpler terms. thanks a lot
Quite helpful
Yes Really helpfull
Nice, but not nice. I comprends not. Sorry, english is second language. Thanks you.
Hello,
No worries, still have any confusions related to email service? Feel free to contact our Live Chat support from https://www.interserver.net/ and our support team will be able to assist you with any service you have ordered through us.
Regards,
InterServer Support.
Wow, I loveth this article so. It brings me much joy to understand the simple concept of e-mails. Now, my family shall loveth me for this simple knowledge. Thank you so much:):) you have saved my life.
Thanks for writing back to us and for taking the time to appreciate it.
I got an email from someone who did not know me and I didn’t know her.
We are not in each other’s contacts. The intended recipients email has the same first 2 letters as my email.
How did this happen?
Thank you so much. please share the details working of dns records.
We already explained that here: https://www.interserver.net/tips/kb/where-are-the-dns-files-located/
Nice explanation. Simple and easy understandable.
My mail service is AOL via Verizon (which just sold it). I use Outlook to read/write/store email/address book/calendar/etc. Outlook is setup for POP/SMTP, not IMAP, but I send & receive emails with the same account with phone and desktop. How does this work and what is Outlook, vs AOL, in the email path?
The best way to collect emails is to contact them directly.
The first step is to find out who your target audience is. Next, figure out what type of content they’re interested in. Finally, come up with a strategy for targeting your message to them.
Once you have a target in mind, use a follow-up email that generates interest. Keep the email short and to the point. Include a link to your website or another resource that they can learn more about from. If possible, offer something in exchange for their email address.
Once you have their email address, follow up with another simple message asking for permission to follow up later with further communication. This final message can include a link to your signup form or lead capture page.