220-1101 Question 66
Single answer143 – Internet Mail Access Protocol (IMAP)A technician is configuring a user's email client after a migration to a new mail server. The user wants messages, folder structure, and read/unread status to stay synchronized between a laptop, a smartphone, and webmail. The email provider says incoming mail should use IMAP on port 143. Which configuration best meets the user's requirement?
- A
Configure the incoming mail server as IMAP on port 143 so the client synchronizes mail stored on the server across devices.
- B
Configure the incoming mail server as POP3 on port 110 so each device downloads its own local copy of messages.
- C
Configure the outgoing mail server as SMTP on port 143 so sent items and inbox folders stay synchronized.
- D
Configure the incoming mail server as DNS on port 53 so the client can locate and mirror the mailbox contents.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best choice is to configure the incoming mail server as IMAP on port 143 because IMAP is specifically intended for server-based email access and synchronization across multiple devices. In a real support scenario, this is the correct solution when a user needs the same mailbox view on a laptop, phone, and webmail. By contrast, POP3 is better suited to downloading mail to a single device and does not natively maintain full folder and status synchronization. SMTP is only for sending email, and DNS only resolves hostnames. Standard reference material for email protocols identifies IMAP with port 143, POP3 with port 110, and SMTP with ports such as 25, 465, or 587 depending on the implementation and security method. These distinctions are commonly tested in CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives related to ports, protocols, and practical client configuration.
- A. Correct.
Correct. IMAP is designed to access and manage email stored on the mail server, allowing messages, folders, and message status information such as read/unread state to remain synchronized across multiple devices and webmail. Port 143 is the standard port for unencrypted IMAP or IMAP with STARTTLS capability, depending on server configuration.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. POP3 uses port 110 and is primarily intended for downloading messages from the server to a local device. While some clients can be configured to leave copies on the server, POP3 does not provide the same level of server-side folder and state synchronization that IMAP provides. A candidate might choose this option because POP3 is also an incoming mail protocol, but it does not best meet the multi-device synchronization requirement.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. SMTP is used for sending outgoing email, not for retrieving or synchronizing mailbox contents. Port 143 is associated with IMAP, not SMTP. Someone might pick this option if they confuse incoming and outgoing mail services or assume sent mail synchronization is controlled by the outgoing protocol.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. DNS on port 53 is used for name resolution, such as translating a mail server hostname into an IP address. It does not provide mailbox access, message retrieval, or folder synchronization. This distractor targets the misconception that any network service involved in email setup can manage email content.