Email, as simple as it is to use, relies on a more complicated set of operating procedures than that of the Web. For most users, its operation is transparent, which means that it is not necessary to understand how email works in order to be able to use it. When it comes to supporting email services however, it is important to understand the different roles and responsibilities of each component.
At a high level, components necessary for mail flow fall under three major categories:
| Category | Technical Component | Real-World Component (Customer) | Responsibility | Analogy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery | MDA – Mail Delivery Agent | Incoming mail servers (ex: POP, IMAP) | How to receive mail messages | The home where the letter is placed for someone specific to read it. |
| Transport | MTA – Mail Transport Agent | Outgoing mail server (SMTP) | How to send mail messages | The postal worker bringing the letter from the sender to the destination. |
| User | MUA – Mail User Agent | Email Application | How to create and read mail messages | The paper the letter is written on. The language the letter is written in. The envelope used to write the destination address. |
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