RFC 1734 (rfc1734) - Page 1 of 5

POP3 AUTHentication command

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Network Working Group                                           J. Myers
Request for Comments: 1734                               Carnegie Mellon
Category: Standards Track                                  December 1994


                      POP3 AUTHentication command

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.


1. Introduction

   This document describes the optional AUTH command, for indicating an
   authentication mechanism to the server, performing an authentication
   protocol exchange, and optionally negotiating a protection mechanism
   for subsequent protocol interactions.  The authentication and
   protection mechanisms used by the POP3 AUTH command are those used by
   IMAP4.


2. The AUTH command

   AUTH mechanism

         Arguments:
             a string identifying an IMAP4 authentication mechanism,
             such as defined by [IMAP4-AUTH].  Any use of the string
             "imap" used in a server authentication identity in the
             definition of an authentication mechanism is replaced with
             the string "pop".

         Restrictions:
             may only be given in the AUTHORIZATION state

         Discussion:
             The AUTH command indicates an authentication mechanism to
             the server.  If the server supports the requested
             authentication mechanism, it performs an authentication
             protocol exchange to authenticate and identify the user.
             Optionally, it also negotiates a protection mechanism for
             subsequent protocol interactions.  If the requested
             authentication mechanism is not supported, the server



Myers
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