email . . . choosing between pop3, imap, smtp
 

I've just switched to a new server host for our small business (with 5 employees.) In the past we used POP3 to pick up mail from our old server, but I'd prefer a more secure method for the new server (maybe POP3S).

Even though we're behind a firewall, I'd like as few ports open as possible. However, I just found out our server host has opened ports for SMTP, POP3 and IMAP.

Are all three of these services needed just to pick up or send email?

We do use the server to send group mailing to our customers, but all employees individually use local ISPs to send their email . . .

The email clients used are Outlook express, Eudora, and Netscape.

Thanks!

smtp is required to send and receive from other hosts.

I would reccomend usig IMAP. If you want to do is securely then look into using it with SSL support.

david_ross,

Just to make sure that I understand correctly . . .

you recommend IMAP instead of POP3?

does this mean that I don't need both POP3 and IMAP?

Based on our use of email as described, is there any reason to have both running at the same time? In other words, is either one dependent on the other to function properly ?

Thanks!

They are not dependant on each other.

The main reason I would use IMAP over pop:
Mail is stored on the server. This has 2 benefits and one downfall. If a client machine crashes then no mail is lost. (with pop you can set you client to leave it on the server but there are problems with messages being downloaded at later dates if clients get confused) The other advantage is that you can use a client like Mozilla or netscape on your PC then use webmail whilst away from your desk and still get the same folder structure an messages.

The down sides are resources - IMAP will use more server resources as it will need to download the message each you want to read it. HDD space is also a consideration but with the price of data storage it isn't a big problem.

If you were a large ISP then pop would be better but for business use I think IMAP has far greater advantages.

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the help david_ross !