What is the process of sending an email?

The following steps show the general process of sending an email:

1. The user composes an email using a third-party email client, such as Outlook, and hits Send.
2. The email client connects to the SMTP server.
3. The SMTP server identifies and processes the recipient's email address, the body of the message and additional attachments.
4. If the domain name is the same as the sender's, the message is routed directly over POP3 or IMAP. If the domain name is different, the SMTP server communicates with the domain name system (DNS) to find the recipient's server. The DNS translates the recipient's email domain name into an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
5. The recipient's IP address connects to the SMTP server. Once the IP is identified, the sent message is routed between unrelated SMTP servers until it arrives at its destination.
6. The recipient's SMTP server handles the email. It checks the message and directs it over to an IMAP or POP3 server. The email is then placed in a mail queue until the recipient retrieves it.

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