Template:Email agents/Metadata: Difference between revisions

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Note: In discussing machine-level models of email systems, the words 'actor' and 'agent' mean computer processes. In discussing administrative functions, these words have their original plain-English meanings - an individual or organization.  The usage of these words should be clearly stated in any context where it is not obvious.  In this article, we are using the plain-English meanings.


===Actors and their roles in an email system===
<pre>
Actors include Users and Agents
Agents may play more than one role
Typical roles include Transmitting, Receiving, Forwarding, and Delivery.
</pre>
===Roles defined by their responsibilities===
<pre>
Author
- Originate messages
- Provide a password or other means of authentication
MSA - Mail Submission Agent
- Authenticate the Author
- Manage Author accounts
Transmitter
- Spam Prevention
  - rate limits, content analysis, alerts
  - respond to spam reports
  - maintain reputation
- Authentication
  - RFC compliance
  - IP authorization (SPF, SID, CSV, ...)
  - signatures & key management (DKIM ...)
  - Return Address validation code
- Process SMTP Rejects
Receiver
- Block DoS
- Authenticate Sender
  - HELO, Return Address, Headers, Signature
  - reject forgeries
- Assess reputation
  - whitelists
- Filter spam
- Add authentication headers
- Manage Recipient accounts/options
  - whitelisting, blacklisting, filtering, blocking, forwarding
- Process spam reports, DSNs
Forwarder
- Authenticate upstream Agent
- Set up forwarding to downstream Agent
  - check RFC compliance
  - set up authentication records
  - submit forwarding request, wait for approval
- Manage Recipient accounts
  - maintain database of forwarding addresses
  - suspend account when a message is rejected
  - communicate w Recipient re  "      "
- Maintain reputation as a trusted Forwarder
  - certifications
- Process SMTP Rejects
MDA - Mail Delivery Agent
- Authenticate upstream Agent
- Sort and store messages
- Provide access for Recipients
  - POP3, IMAP, Webmail
- Manage Recipient accounts/options
- Relay spam reports to Receiver (or don't accept them)
Recipient
- Set up accounts with each Agent
- Select options in each account
- Report spam to Receiver
Mediator
- Receive - Process - Resend automatically
- Acts as an Agent, but
- Classified as a User for simplicity
</pre>

Revision as of 08:52, 9 July 2009

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