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