Re: [Dovecot] Difference between LOGIN and PLAIN

• Simon Brereton <simon.brereton@buongiorno.com>:

Could someone explain to me the difference between LOGIN and PLAIN?

In SMTP these are:

Both

• are plaintext mechanisms.
• base64 encode identification data before they send it over the wire
• do not encrypt the indentification data and should therefore only be offered over an encrypted transport layer

PLAIN

• is an open standard supported by most clients
• sends identification data as one string
• sends an authentication ID, an authorization ID and the password

LOGIN

• is a proprietary standard supported by Microsofts clients
• sends LOGIN, login name, password and optionally the domain name one after another

I guess they are basically the same in IMAP, but others will know better.

p@rick

I've been googling for a while, but haven't found anything.

Thanks.

Simon

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