From the KnowledgeBase

Title:
E-mail: What is the difference between IMAP, Exchange, and POP?

Synopsis:
There are four methods (or protocols) for handling your e-mail at Princeton University: Exchange enabled, IMAP, POP, or WebMail.

Solution:
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) and POP (Post Office Protocol) are two different ways of receiving your mail. It's important to understand the fundamental differences between the two protocols so that you can choose the one best suited to your needs.

Students
OIT recommends IMAP or WebMail as the standard methods for retrieving and handling e-mail across the Internet.

Faculty and Staff
OIT recommends IMAP or WebMail as the standard methods for retrieving and handling e-mail across the Internet, unless their department is Exchange enabled; in that case OIT recommends Outlook for Windows, Entourage for Mac OS X users, and WebMail (OWA) when off-campus.

 
Where Is My E-Mail Stored?
IMAP
(Internet Message Access Protocol)		 IMAP - Your e-mail is stored on the central IMAP server. When you check your mail, your computer contacts the IMAP server to show you the new messages in your Inbox. All of your e-mail is available from any computer and you can check it from anywhere in the world by using WebMail. Every night, new messages saved on your IMAP store are backed up and can be retrieved in case of accidental deletion.

POP
(Post Office Protocol)		 POP - Every time you check your mail, all of the messages are downloaded from the server and saved to your hard drive. Your e-mail is only accessible from one computer and is no longer available when using WebMail or any other computer. This may be the method for you to choose if you use only one computer and are concerned about using up your e-mail quota. Messages saved locally on your computer do not contribute to your quota, so POP users are unlikely to ever use up their allotted storage space. Additionally, you only need to be connected to the Internet while the messages are downloaded. Once the e-mail is on your computer, you can read it without an Internet connection.

Exchange Your Exchange e-mail is stored on the central OIT Exchange server, where you can check it using MS Outlook, MS Entourage, or Exchange WebMail. You also have the option of storing messages in local folders on your hard drive. However, these messages will only be accessible from your computer. You will be unable to read them using Exchange WebMail or MS Outlook on a different computer.

WebMail WebMail is an e-mail reader which allows you to access your Princton e-mail via the web. No software is necessary to use WebMail other than a web browser like Internet Explorer. WebMail allows you to send and receive your Princeton e-mail from anywhere in the world. It was implemented for Princeton users to facilitate e-mail use while travelling. Both IMAP and Exchange WebMail are accessible from an easy to remember URL - www.princeton.edu/webmail.

Related Links:

Last Updated:
April 22, 2009

Solution ID:
9815