IPA IP 2022 Question 87

Topic: Networks

A question IPA Japan published in 令和4年度 ITパスポート試験 公開問題 問87, translated into English. ITPEC is based on the same exams.

Which of the following is one of the protocols for receiving e-mails from a mail server, and has the following characteristics?

①There is no need to import mail information into a mailbox in the PC and manage it there; a mailbox composed of multiple folders can be created on the mail server to manage mail information.②Even if the terminals used, such as a PC or a smartphone, are different, the mail information in the same mailbox can be referenced and managed.

Explanation

IMAP — the mail-receiving protocol that keeps the mailbox, with its folders, on the server.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) lets the mail client view and manage messages where they are stored, on the mail server. Folders are created on the server, and read or moved messages stay there, so every device that connects sees the same mailbox in the same state. POP3, the other receiving protocol, downloads the mail into the PC’s own mailbox and is managed there, which is what characteristic ① says IMAP does not need.

Answer (a)

Why not others:

  • •(b) NTP — Network Time Protocol, for synchronizing computer clocks over a network
  • •(c) SMTP — the protocol for sending and relaying e-mail, not for receiving it from the mailbox
  • •(d) WPA — a security standard for encrypting wireless LAN traffic, not an e-mail protocol

Key rule: SMTP sends mail; POP3 receives it by downloading to one device; IMAP receives it by managing it on the server, shared across devices.

Networks · AI-written, may contain errors

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This question comes from the past questions IPA Japan publishes, translated into English by ITPEC Practice. ITPEC Practice is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with IPA or ITPEC. See the original paper (PDF) or Report an issue.