- A
SMTP, POP3, and HTTP
SMTP sends email, POP3 receives it on clients, and HTTP provides webmail access.
- B
FTP, SMTP, and DNS
Why wrong: FTP is for file transfers, DNS for name resolution; neither handles email receiving or webmail.
- C
IMAP, SNMP, and HTTPS
Why wrong: SNMP is for network management, not email; IMAP receives but SMTP is missing for sending.
- D
DHCP, SMTP, and POP3
Why wrong: DHCP assigns IP addresses, not relevant to email; webmail access requires HTTP/HTTPS.
Question 999 of 1,020
Email Server Protocols: SMTP, POP3, IMAP, HTTP for CompTIA A+ 220-1201
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of network protocols. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A technician is configuring a new email server for a small business. Employees need to send and receive email from their desktop clients (Outlook) and also access email via a web browser. Which combination of protocols should the technician configure on the server to support both client types?
Quick Answer
The correct combination is SMTP, POP3, and HTTP. SMTP handles all outgoing email from desktop clients like Outlook, while POP3 retrieves incoming messages and stores them locally, making it ideal for a single-device setup. HTTP (or HTTPS) enables web browser access to the same mailbox, allowing employees to check email without a dedicated client. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your ability to match each protocol to its specific role: SMTP for sending, POP3 or IMAP for receiving, and HTTP for webmail. A common trap is confusing IMAP with POP3—remember that IMAP keeps messages on the server for multi-device sync, while POP3 downloads and removes them, which is simpler for a small business with one desktop per user. For the exam, think of the mnemonic “S-P-H” for Send, Pull, and HTTP, and always pair SMTP with a retrieval protocol plus web access when browser-based email is required.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SMTP, POP3, and HTTP
Option A is correct because SMTP is the standard protocol for sending outgoing email, POP3 allows desktop clients like Outlook to download and store emails locally, and HTTP enables web browser access to the email server (often via a webmail interface). This combination supports both client types: Outlook uses SMTP/POP3, while a browser uses HTTP to access the webmail service.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
SMTP, POP3, and HTTP
- ✗
FTP, SMTP, and DNS
- ✗
IMAP, SNMP, and HTTPS
- ✗
DHCP, SMTP, and POP3
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The exam often tests the misconception that IMAP is required for webmail access, but HTTP alone can serve a webmail interface, and POP3 is sufficient for desktop clients that do not need server-side folder synchronization.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SMTP (RFC 5321) operates on port 25 for server-to-server relay and port 587 for client submission, while POP3 (RFC 1939) uses port 110 to download emails to the client and delete them from the server by default. HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443) is used by the webmail interface (e.g., Roundcube or Outlook Web Access) to render emails in a browser, often leveraging IMAP behind the scenes for folder synchronization, but the question specifically requires HTTP for browser access.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Network Protocols — This question tests Network Protocols — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SMTP, POP3, and HTTP — Option A is correct because SMTP is the standard protocol for sending outgoing email, POP3 allows desktop clients like Outlook to download and store emails locally, and HTTP enables web browser access to the email server (often via a webmail interface). This combination supports both client types: Outlook uses SMTP/POP3, while a browser uses HTTP to access the webmail service.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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