Push-IMAP
Encyclopedia
Push-IMAP, which is otherwise known as P-IMAP or Push extensions for Internet Message Access Protocol
, is based on IMAPv4 Rev1 (RFC 3501) but contains additional enhancements for optimization in a mobile setting. It was developed by Oracle
and other partners, and it was submitted as input to the Lemonade Profile
IETF Working Group; however, P-IMAP was not included in the Lemonade Profile (RFC 4550).
or Smartphone
. It should reduce the time and effort needed to synchronize messages between the two by using an open connection that is kept alive by some kind of heartbeat. To reduce necessary bandwidth
, it uses compression and command macros.
Additionally, P-IMAP features a mechanism for sending e-mail that is derived from (but not identical to) SMTP, and so a rich e-mail service is provided using a single connection.
P-IMAP should not be viewed as an alternative to the IMAP IDLE
command (RFC 2177). In fact, IDLE is one of the required mechanisms for a P-IMAP server to notify the client (optional notifications are SMS
or WAP Push).
push email services for iPhone
do not use a standard form of P-IMAP. Yahoo Mail uses a special SMS
message to trigger an email synchronization, while Apple Inc.'s MobileMe uses a server within Apple that maintains a persistent IP connection to each iPhone.
Internet Message Access Protocol
Internet message access protocol is one of the two most prevalent Internet standard protocols for e-mail retrieval, the other being the Post Office Protocol...
, is based on IMAPv4 Rev1 (RFC 3501) but contains additional enhancements for optimization in a mobile setting. It was developed by Oracle
Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing and marketing hardware systems and enterprise software products – particularly database management systems...
and other partners, and it was submitted as input to the Lemonade Profile
Lemonade Profile
The Lemonade Profile is a set of protocols and mandatory extensions which provides email access to diverse environments, including mobile handsets and other resource constrained devices. It is the product of an IETF Working Group, and is largely based on pre-existing specifications, including IMAP...
IETF Working Group; however, P-IMAP was not included in the Lemonade Profile (RFC 4550).
The protocol
The protocol was designed to provide for a secure way to automatically keep communicating new messages between a server and a mobile device like a PDAPersonal digital assistant
A personal digital assistant , also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Current PDAs often have the ability to connect to the Internet...
or Smartphone
Smartphone
A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smartphones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant and a mobile phone or camera...
. It should reduce the time and effort needed to synchronize messages between the two by using an open connection that is kept alive by some kind of heartbeat. To reduce necessary bandwidth
Bandwidth (computing)
In computer networking and computer science, bandwidth, network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth is a measure of available or consumed data communication resources expressed in bits/second or multiples of it .Note that in textbooks on wireless communications, modem data transmission,...
, it uses compression and command macros.
Additionally, P-IMAP features a mechanism for sending e-mail that is derived from (but not identical to) SMTP, and so a rich e-mail service is provided using a single connection.
P-IMAP should not be viewed as an alternative to the IMAP IDLE
IMAP IDLE
In e-mail technology, IDLE is an IMAP feature described in RFC 2177 that allows a client to indicate to the server that it is ready to accept real-time notifications.- Significance :...
command (RFC 2177). In fact, IDLE is one of the required mechanisms for a P-IMAP server to notify the client (optional notifications are SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
or WAP Push).
Other mobile technologies
Although they are both based on IMAP, the Yahoo Mail and MobileMeMobileMe
MobileMe was a subscription-based collection of online services and software offered by Apple Inc. Originally launched on January 5, 2000, as iTools, a free collection of Internet-based services for users of Mac OS 9, Apple relaunched it as .Mac on July 17, 2002, when it became a paid subscription...
push email services for iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
do not use a standard form of P-IMAP. Yahoo Mail uses a special SMS
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
message to trigger an email synchronization, while Apple Inc.'s MobileMe uses a server within Apple that maintains a persistent IP connection to each iPhone.
See also
- IMAPInternet Message Access ProtocolInternet message access protocol is one of the two most prevalent Internet standard protocols for e-mail retrieval, the other being the Post Office Protocol...
- Push e-mailPush e-mailPush email is used to describe email systems that provide an always-on capability, in which new email is actively transferred as it arrives by the mail delivery agent to the mail user agent , also called the email client...
- Lemonade ProfileLemonade ProfileThe Lemonade Profile is a set of protocols and mandatory extensions which provides email access to diverse environments, including mobile handsets and other resource constrained devices. It is the product of an IETF Working Group, and is largely based on pre-existing specifications, including IMAP...
- SyncMLSyncMLSyncML is the former name for a platform-independent information synchronization standard. The project is currently referred to as Open Mobile Alliance Data Synchronization and Device Management...