How to Set Up an SMTP Server on Windows XP Pro

SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) is just that: simple. When you send an email to someone, the email program tells the SMTP server to send a message (the email you just wrote). The SMTP server then connects to another computer and tells it that it has a message waiting for “so-and-so.” If the second server accepts the connection (meaning “so-and-so’s” address is valid), then the message is transferred and put into the recipient's mailbox. Easy, huh?The question is, do you need one on your computer? If you use the same laptop at home, work and while traveling, it might become an irritation to have to continually change your SMTP protocols (outgoing email address). For example, if your SMTP protocol at home is smtp.myisp.com, and the one at work is smtp.myoffice.com, you would have to change the protocol in order to send your mail. Likewise, when you are traveling, staying at hotels will often result in different SMTP protocols. In such a case, having one SMTP server that accommodates multiple protocols is preferable. The good news is that Microsoft Windows XP Pro packages SMTP server software in its operating system. When you install Windows XP Pro, however, the SMTP services do not automatically install; these are optional components. You will need your XP installation disk to install them.

By Basmal