SMTP: Definition of Gateway

 Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
Article ID: Q87044
3.00 MS-DOS kb3rdparty

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail Gateway to SMTP, version 3.0

A gateway, when used in conjunction with electronic mail systems, is designed to connect two or more dissimilar mail systems. For example, a gateway that links dissimilar mail systems A and B, sends and receives messages from each mail system using the protocols associated it.

The gateway changes all the protocols necessary between the two mail systems, but it does not change the actual data being sent: what you send is what is received by the destination mail system.

A gateway cannot always provide every service requested by a mail system because it is limited by the services available at the other mail system. For example, one mail system may support registered mail. When it sends a registered mail message through the gateway to another mail system, that receiving mail system must be able support registered mail. If it does not, registered mail cannot be used when communicating with this mail system.

Additional reference words: 3.00 pcmail
KBCategory: kb3rdparty
KBSubcategory: MailGWSMTP

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Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
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