Introduction

There are several ways that you can connect to your e-mail server. You can connect to an e-mail server by using a local area network (LAN), a dial-up networking connection, a traditional modem or your own dialing program using a modem. In order to connect through a LAN, your company or organization must provide you with external access to the Internet through an Internet gateway ”which is a device that connects different e-mail systems and transfers messages between them. Your company can also use an Internet Mail server that is already on the LAN. Connecting through the LAN causes your Internet e-mail server to check for and deliver new messages. DSL and cable modems are also considered LAN connections because they usually maintain a constant connection.

For those who don't work through a company LAN, you can connect to an e-mail server through your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Your ISP gives you access to the Internet and an Internet e-mail server, which checks for new messages and delivers them to your Inbox. In order to connect to your ISP's e-mail server, your ISP must provide you with the phone number, modem settings and network protocols.

If you have a slow connection or you want to prompt the server when you want your incoming and outgoing e-mail to be delivered, you can connect to your e-mail server manually, using either a traditional modem or your own dialing program. You would need the phone number to the e-mail server along with network protocols.

Although there are times when you need to work offline, most of the time, you'll probably want to work while you're online. When you do need to work offline, you can set up Outlook so you can connect and work offline. You do this by setting up a remote or dial-up connection for Outlook.