How does Email work?

Email Client

This is the email program you use to write and then send emails. Examples include Outlook, Eudora and Thunderbird

Domain Name

This is the bit after ‘@’ in an email address. For example if I am sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , the domain name is mydomain.ie

IP Address

An Internet Protocol (IP) address is the unique address (number) associated with the computer where the email is being sent. It's a bit like a telephone number for a computer. An IP address consists of 4 groups of numbers, separated by dots e.g. 192.168.244.21

Domain Name Server

This is a computer which translates a domain name into an IP address

POP Server 

This is the computer (or server) where your emails are stored until downloaded by Outlook Express.

SMTP Server

This is the name of the computer (or server) through which your emails are sent out onto the Internet. Sometimes your email is sent through a number of SMTP servers before reaching its final destination.

Contact MailWall for further information.