RFC 2342 (rfc2342) - Page 1 of 10


IMAP4 Namespace



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                         M. Gahrns
Request for Comments: 2342                                    Microsoft
Category: Standards Track                                     C. Newman
                                                               Innosoft
                                                               May 1998


                            IMAP4 Namespace

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998).  All Rights Reserved.

1. Abstract

   IMAP4 [RFC-2060] does not define a default server namespace. As a
   result, two common namespace models have evolved:

   The "Personal Mailbox" model, in which the default namespace that is
   presented consists of only the user's personal mailboxes. To access
   shared mailboxes, the user must use an escape mechanism to reach
   another namespace.

   The "Complete Hierarchy" model, in which the default namespace that
   is presented includes the user's personal mailboxes along with any
   other mailboxes they have access to.

   These two models, create difficulties for certain client operations.
   This document defines a NAMESPACE command that allows a client to
   discover the prefixes of namespaces used by a server for personal
   mailboxes, other users' mailboxes, and shared mailboxes.  This allows
   a client to avoid much of the manual user configuration that is now
   necessary when mixing and matching IMAP4 clients and servers.

2. Conventions used in this document

   In examples, "C:" and "S:" indicate lines sent by the client and
   server respectively.  If such lines are wrapped without a new "C:" or
   "S:" label, then the wrapping is for editorial clarity and is not
   part of the command.



Gahrns & Newman             Standards Track