What is SMTP

What is SMTP?
The network protocol used to send email across the Internet
Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) is the network protocol used to send email across the Internet. When you send email, its first stop is a server running SMTP. The primary UW SMTP (mail-sending) server is smtp.washington.edu (The older UW SMTP server, mailhost.washington.edu, is scheduled to be removed from service on August 14, 2006.)

When do you need to know about SMTP?

When configuring your desktop email software
You DO NOT need to know about SMTP if you are using email software running on a computer other than your own (e.g, Pine on Dante or Homer; WebPine on MyUW). You can stop reading here.
You DO need to know the UW SMTP server name if you are running email software (e.g., Outlook Express, PC-Pine) on your own desktop computer, and want to configure your software to work with UW email servers. When you edit the configuration file and get to the "Outgoing Mail Server" (SMTP) question, you enter smtp.washington.edu, if you are using a UW-provided Internet connection (i.e., campus ethernet or UW dial-up modem).
If you're NOT using a UW-provided Internet connection, you need to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask for the SMTP server name to use for "Outgoing Mail Server