IT221 T PROJECT 2021 – first semster

Group Members

Name ID
Reham fahad Al zamanan 443007526
Leen abdulaziz almufleh 443007541
Shatha abdul Rahman al ghamdi 443007632
Tala tariq Al muqrin 443007543

PNU

The project is about SMTP Application protocol

In today's world, emails are one of the most commonly used forms ofcommunication. Globally,

people use it daily to send various types of messages. Throughout this report, we will explore in

detail the protocol behind sending emails. The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a part

of the application layer of the TCP/IP and one of the protocols used to send emails and transfer

data across networks. In simple terms, SMTP works like this: When you send a message, the

SMTP server processes your email, then decides which server to send the message to, and relays

the message to that server. The recipient’s inbox service provider, for example, Gmail or Yahoo,

finally downloads the message and uploads it to the recipient's account.

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And now we need to know more about the transmission of e-mail between the sender and

the receiver, and the essential process that SMTP performs in this journey

and how it SMTP works :

1. A user writes a message in an email application.

2.Then the message is processed by Message Application Processing Interface (MAPI).

3. Then the message queued for the Exchange Mail Server.

4. The SMTP server begins by contacting DNS (Domain Name System) to resolve the

recipient's IP address.

5. Then the message goes through a series of jumps, including the mail gateway, sender's

Internet service provider, and the recipient's Internet Service provider.

The message is then stored on the recipient's mail server waiting for an Post Office

Protocol 3 (POP3) protocol request from the recipient's host for message delivery.

6.The message is then stored on the recipient's mail server waiting for an IMAP or POP3

protocol request from the recipient's host to complete the email delivery.

The recipient opens the message on the email client.

The TCP/IP protocols separate the message into data packets and provide addressing to

the recipient. Each of those packets is sent along the shortest path to the recipient's

Exchange Mail Server. TCP ensures delivery of all packets and will request any missing

packets to be resent

7. The recipient opens the message on the email client.

The TCP/IP protocols separate the message into data packets and provide addressing to

the recipient. Each of those packets is sent along the shortest path to the recipient's

Exchange Mail Server. TCP ensures delivery of all packets and will request any missing

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packets to be resent. The message is then reassembled for the recipient, and delivery is

confirmed.

SMTP is only used for delivering emails, and the protocol's instructions establish a

handshake to guarantee delivery. The establishment of a communication channel is

followed by the packetized transfer of all data before the session is terminated.

The host computer of the recipient will use Post Office Protocol 3 (POP3) or Internet

Message Access Protocol (IMAP) to request the email from storage on the local email

server in order for the recipient to receive it. Contrast this with sending a reply email,

which once more sends the message via SMTP.

and the basic SMTP instructions

Email messages must be sent between servers using a series of codes known as SMTP

instructions;

First, The email client is introducing itself to the SMTP server with the

HELO or EHLO (Hello) command.

The email server receives a notification that the client wants to begin the mail transaction.

After this command, the client states its IP address and domain name.

MAIL FROM command : The sender really initiates the email transfer by putting the

source email address in the "From" column.

And if there are several recipients, the command is simply repeated address by address.

RCPT TO (Receiver To) command: This command identifies the email's recipient.

 
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DATA command: This causes data to be transferred from the client to the server.

The email content starts to transmit, usually followed by a 354 reply code from the

server, which authorizes the transmission to commence.

QUIT command: After the email has been sent, the client disconnects the server by

sending the QUIT instruction, If it has been effectively shut.

And when the mail transaction needs to be stopped, an RSET (Reset) command: message

is sent to the server. The connection is not terminated, but everything is reset and all

previous information about the email and the parties involved is deleted.

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like any protocol there some vulnerabilities of the SMTP 

At first, Protocol for Simple Mail Transfer (SMTP) Despite the fact that this protocol has

numerous advantages, there are many drawbacks that lower the works effectiveness and users'

desire for it. One of the disadvantages of this protocol is that the sent messages are very

vulnerable to theft, due to the reason for fake emails, which are communications that are sent to

any recipient of these communications to any address. Another disadvantage is that the user of

this protocol will be restricted from sending e-mail through your policies or even Internet

connection restrictions. We can generally sum up the flaws in the following ways:

• Some firewalls have the ability to block the SMTP port.

• Security issue is becoming worse..

• Binary files must be converted into text files before being transmitted via SMTP. To transmit

mail in a different format, use MIME.

• Its simplicity places a limit on its utility.

• There are only 7 bit ASCII characters allowed.

• Mail messages that are longer than a certain length may be rejected by SMTP servers.

• Delivering your message typically requires additional back-and-forth conversion between

servers, which might delay sending and also raise the likelihood that the message

won't be delivered.

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We have many mail services with mail API, web API, and peaceful integration. This

overcomes the downside of SMTP servers, as bulk mail is transmitted with high security.

It assists mail marketing campaigns with analytics and traceability for each sender that is

taken on the crusade. These send marketing services to help make connections with guests

by storing the history of ancient communications.

1. SendGrid

It is the best SMTP server alternative for business mail marketing terms, providing some

reliable forwarding services with API and SMTP sending services. Presentation bot,

design, templates, stats, and deliverability awareness also provide the best corporate

mailing service.

2. Elastic Email

It is an SMTP source for sending emails with multiple services, and it provides a

mechanism for messages to get the best transmission and delivery of mail, in addition to

that it has mail marketing, mail verification, and mail automation to run different

campaigns.

3. Ongage

It is one of the best SMTP alternative to send and receive emails with better control,

secure usage, email API, SMTP relay and mail transfer agent for delivery to many

destinations.

4. Amazon SES

Simple Mail Service uses SES to send, receive, and forward emails from multiple

processes, and we can use it for marketing, transactional, and bulk mail delivery during

product or campaign promotions.

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5. Postmark

It is the best mail delivery system for application emails. Best alternative to SMTP to

send emails using API and SMTP. With unique email templates, it can help send

message flows, transactional emails, and inbound messages. In addition, postmarking is

used as a mail delivery process in agencies, organizations, and startups. Provides

analytics and tracking of mail delivery using several tools of the service.

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