POP3 and IMAP are e-mail access protocols. Which statement best describes when…
2012
POP3 and IMAP are e-mail access protocols. Which statement best describes when a mail client needs a connection to the mail server?
Answer: C. The client needs a server connection to send messages and to retrieve or synchronize messages. — ConceptE-mail protocols separate local work in a mail client from data exchange with a remote mail server. POP3 retrieves messages from the server to a…
- A.
The client automatically retrieves mail exactly once every day.
- B.
The client must stay connected to the server even to read downloaded mail or compose a draft.
- C.
The client needs a server connection to send messages and to retrieve or synchronize messages.
- D.
The client can exchange mail without any network communication link.
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
E-mail protocols separate local work in a mail client from data exchange with a remote mail server.
POP3 retrieves messages from the server to a client, while IMAP synchronizes mailbox state with the server. Any transfer between client and server needs an active network connection, but locally stored mail and drafts can be handled offline.
Application
Identify the actions that cross the network: sending a message and retrieving or synchronizing messages exchange data with a mail server.
The statement that a server connection is needed for those transfer operations matches this client-server model.
Reading an already downloaded message or composing a draft is local work, so it does not require the client to remain connected continuously.
Contrast
“Automatically once every day” describes a configurable retrieval schedule, not a rule imposed by POP3 or IMAP.
“Connected even to read downloaded mail or compose a draft” treats local client work as a server operation.
“Connected to send and retrieve or synchronize messages” identifies the operations that exchange data with the mail server.
“Without any network communication link” conflicts with the client-server exchange used by both access protocols.
Cross-check
If the network is disconnected after messages have been downloaded, a user can still read cached mail or write a draft, but cannot transfer new data to or from the server. Therefore, the best-supported statement is: the client needs a server connection to send messages and to retrieve or synchronize messages.