Definition – What does Mail Server mean?
The mail server is also known as the email server is a computer that sends and receives email. In most of the cases, web servers and mail servers are combined in a single machine. Large internet service providers and public email services including Gmail and Hotmail may use dedicated hardware to manage all the mail server tasks. In order to make your computer as a mail server, you must install mail server software. This software enables the system administrator to easily create and manage all the email accounts for any domains hosted on the server.
Glossary Web explains Mail Server
Mail Servers use standard email protocols to send and receive emails. i.e., the SMTP protocol sends messages and handles all the outgoing mail requests and the POP3 protocols obtain messages and are used to process all the incoming email. When you log in to your mail server using the webmail interface or mail client, these protocols can handle all the connections behind the scenes.
There is a wide range of mail server software are available for multiple platforms, and most famous mail server for Windows is Microsoft Exchange Server that is known as an enterprise product used by large businesses. However, lots of other options exist, such as IceWarp Mail Server, Ipswitch IMail Server, MailEnable, and hMailServer. Linux mail server options include Exim for sending receiving mail.