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---
title: SMTP
slug: Glossary/SMTP
page-type: glossary-definition
---
{{GlossarySidebar}}
**SMTP** (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a {{glossary("protocol")}} used to send a new email. Like {{glossary("POP")}} and {{glossary("NNTP")}}, it is a {{Glossary("state machine")}}-driven protocol.
The protocol is relatively straightforward. Primary complications include supporting various authentication mechanisms ([GSSAPI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_Security_Services_Application_Program_Interface), [CRAM-MD5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRAM-MD5), [NTLM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTLM), MSN, AUTH LOGIN, AUTH PLAIN, etc.), handling error responses, and falling back when authentication mechanisms fail (e.g., the server claims to support a mechanism, but doesn't).
## See also
- [SMTP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMTP) (Wikipedia)
- Related glossary terms:
- {{glossary("NNTP")}}
- {{glossary("POP")}}
- {{glossary("protocol")}}
- {{Glossary("state machine")}}