Which of the following is an e-mail message retrieval protocol that allows e-mail clients to retrieve email messages from e-mail servers?

A.
SMTP

B.
IMAP

C.
SNMP

D.
PPTP

Explanation:

IMAP is an e-mail message retrieval protocol that allows e-mail clients to retrieve e-mail messages
from e-mail servers.
IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol. This protocol helps to retrieve e-mail messages
stored on a shared e-mail server. Through this protocol, a user can use a client e-mail program/Mail
User Agent (MUA) for downloading an e-mail from the shared server. A user can also use this
protocol to edit or delete an e-mail from the shared e-mail server.
Answer option C is incorrect. Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is a part of the TCP/IP
protocol suite, which allows users to manage the network. SNMP is used to keep track of what is
being used on the network and how the object is behaving. Answer option D is incorrect. The Pointto-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is a method for implementing virtual private networks. PPTP does
not provide confidentiality or encryption. It relies on the protocol being tunneled to provide privacy.
It is used to provide secure, low-cost remote access to corporate networks through public networks
such as the Internet. Using PPTP, remote users can use PPP-enabled client computers to dial a local
ISP and connect securely to the corporate network through the Internet. PPTP has been made
obsolete by Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and IPSec.
Answer option A is incorrect. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a protocol for sending e-mail
messages between servers. E-mailing systems use this protocol to send mails over the Internet.
SMTP works on the application layer of the TCP/IP or OSI reference model. The SMTP client typically
initiates a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connection to the SMTP server on the well-known

port designated for SMTP, port number 25. However, e-mail clients require POP or IMAP to retrieve
mails from e-mail servers.
Reference: “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Message_Access_Protocol”