POP (Post Office Protocol) Techincal Reference

By Hunter
hunter@wicked.gt.ed.net

Overview
POP (Post Office Protocol) is a protocol by which mail clients can check mail, retreive messages, and delete messages. Most SMTP mail servers will also have POP implementation. POP is usually at port 110 of a mail server.

How to manually connect to a POP mail server
You will need a valid user name and password. Beyond that, all that you need is a generic telnet client. Local echo should be turned on so you can see what you type. Also, it is important to note that POP servers do not handle backspaces, so you must type everything correctly.

Telnet to port 110 of your target POP server. The server should respond with a generic welcome message.Type USER username. Type PASS password. From this point, you have a variety of options (see commands below.) Type QUIT to disconnect.

POP Command Quick Reference
USER username - Identifies the user to the server. Usage: USER jack
PASS password - Enters user password. Usage: PASS secret
DELE messagenumber - Deletes a given message. Usage: DELE 1
LIST - Lists messages in user mailbox. Usage: LIST
RETR messagenumber - Retrieves the text of a given message. Usage: RETR 1
RSET - Resets the session. Usage: RESET
QUIT - Disconnects. Usage: QUIT

Sample Session - User input is in bold


+OK POP3 server Area1n98.residence.gatech.edu ready <00012.27749538@Area1n98.res

idence.gatech.edu>

USER ROOT

+OK root welcome here

PASS SECRET

+OK mailbox for root has 1 messages (1507 octets)

LIST

+OK 1 messages (1507 octets)

1 1507

.

RETR 1

+OK 1507 octets

....Message Text.... 

.

DELE 1

+OK message 1 deleted

LIST

+OK 0 messages (0 octets)

.

QUIT

+OK POP3 server Area1n98.residence.gatech.edu signing off.

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Last revison: 3.14.96
Mail to: hunter@wicked.gt.ed.net