How does a mail client interact with an SMTP server?

A mail client interacts with an SMTP server by sending commands through the SMTP protocol to relay messages. This is the standard method for email transmission, where the mail client establishes a connection to the SMTP server, and then it issues commands to send emails. SMTP, which stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, is specifically designed for sending emails across networks.

SMTP provides a structured way for the mail client to communicate the necessary information to the server, such as the sender's address, recipient's address, message content, and any other relevant details. Once the SMTP server receives and processes these commands, it takes on the responsibility of delivering the message to the recipient, either by directly sending it to the recipient's email server or by relaying it through other servers.

In contrast, the other options are based on different protocols and purposes. For instance, although HTTP is used for transferring web pages and assets, it is not relevant in the context of sending emails. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is utilized to retrieve and manage emails stored on a mail server, rather than for sending them. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is used for transferring files, not for handling email communication. These distinctions emphasize the unique role that SMTP plays in the process of sending emails from a