What is SMTP?
You may have heard this acronym once or twice when talking about scanning to an email address.
SMTP stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It’s the method of communication that moves your email across networks (like the Internet.) SMTP works with the Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) to send your information to the correct computer and email inbox. SMTP spells out and directs how your email moves from your computer’s MTA to an MTA on another computer, or several computers.
What is an SMTP Server?
SMTP Servers (often referred to as relays) are just computers running SMTP. When you send an email, it leaves your computer and relays from an SMTP Server over the internet to the mail server of whoever you addressed the email to. The Mail Server then distributes the email to the correct address using MTA.
Important key words:
SMTP moves your information across networks.
MTA sorts the email to the correct destination.
SMTP Servers allow emails to travel over the internet.
Popular free SMTP servers are unreliable or no longer supported (*cough* Google). SMTP2GO is a premium SMTP server that allows hassle-free scan to email managed and supported by our IT Team.
SMTP2GO covers all scan to email issues for $49.99 / year. Even better, customers who have purchased Connection Protection or any managed IT service get SMTP2GO for free.
If you have had any difficulties with SMTP, or have any tips to offer, drop a line in the comments!
If you have Connection Protection or a Managed IT Service, call us to get your SMTP server set up and start scanning directly to your email contacts.
Dan Somerville is a young professional passionate about technology and design. You can follow him on LinkedIn or send an email with any questions, comments, or concerns to [email protected]