What is the role of SMTP in the overall email delivery process?

The chosen answer accurately reflects the primary function of SMTP, which stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. SMTP is specifically designed as the protocol used for sending emails from one server to another. In the email delivery process, when a user sends an email, the email client communicates with the SMTP server to transmit the message to the recipient's email server. This process involves setting up the correct routing and handling of the message, ensuring that it is directed to the correct destination.

Understanding this role is essential as it highlights SMTP's importance in establishing the connection for email delivery, ensuring that messages can travel across the internet effectively. It does not handle receiving emails or provide encryption; those aspects are managed by other protocols, such as IMAP or POP3 for receiving and TLS for secure transmission. Therefore, recognizing SMTP's specific function in sending emails clarifies its place in the overall email delivery system.