iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
A message handling system (MHS) is a standards-defined set of cooperating components that exchanges messages using store-and-forward delivery. In the ISO/IEC 10021 and ITU-T X.400 standards context, a user agent helps prepare and display a message, while the Message Transfer System (MTS) conveys it to one or more recipients.
What “message handling system” means
The formal standards term refers to the system and services defined in the ISO/IEC 10021 and ITU-T X.400 standards family. ISO/IEC 10021-1:2003 provides a system and service overview, while ISO/IEC 10021-2:2003 describes the overall architecture, including abstract models, configuration, naming and addressing, routing, and directory use. See the ISO/IEC 10021-1:2003 listing and ISO/IEC 10021-2:2003 listing.
In this context, MHS describes more than a single application or server: it is a system of components and services that cooperate to move messages from an originator to recipients. The term may also be used generically for modern software, but that usage alone does not establish that the software implements X.400 or ISO/IEC 10021.
How a message handling system works
-
Preparation and submission: The originator uses a user agent to create and submit a message.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 3 Edition- Brand: Pearson India Education Services Pvt. Ltd.
- Language: english
-
Transfer: The Message Transfer System conveys the message. Its message transfer agents perform the store-and-forward function, passing the message through the system rather than requiring sender and recipient to be active at the same time.
-
Delivery and access: The system delivers the message to one or more recipients’ agents. An optional message store can support storage and retrieval, and access units can connect the MTS to other kinds of communication systems.
ITU-T X.420 (1999), the interpersonal messaging recommendation, states that the purpose of an MHS is to enable users to exchange messages on a store-and-forward basis. Read the ITU-T X.420 recommendation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What the main components do
- User agent (UA): Supports the user-facing work of preparing, storing, and displaying messages.
- Message Transfer System (MTS): Provides the message-transfer service between originators and recipients.
- Message transfer agents (MTAs): Cooperate within the MTS to carry out store-and-forward transfer.
- Message store: An optional service that supports message storage and retrieval; ITU-T X.413 describes message-store support for retrieval and submission through the store. See the ITU-T X.413 recommendation.
- Access units: Provide links between the MTS and other types of communication systems.
Is an MHS the same as email?
Not exactly. Interpersonal messaging is one part of the MHS standards family, so email-like message exchange fits within its scope. But the family also addresses other forms of messaging, including electronic data interchange (EDI) and voice messaging. The ITU-T F.400/X.400 overview lists related specifications for architecture, message transfer, message store, interpersonal messaging, EDI messaging, voice messaging, and routing. See ITU-T F.400/X.400.
Rank #3
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Interpersonal messaging: ITU-T X.420 specifies the interpersonal messaging service.
- EDI messaging: ISO/IEC 10021-8:1999 defines the overall system and service for EDI messaging. See the ISO/IEC 10021-8:1999 listing.
- Voice messaging: ITU-T X.440 specifies an OSI MHS protocol for store-and-forward exchange of voice-encoded messages. See the ITU-T X.440 recommendation.
Which standards and editions define the term?
The key ISO/IEC references are older editions that should be named with their years when cited. ISO identifies ISO/IEC 10021-1:2003 as published in November 2003 and confirmed, and ISO/IEC 10021-2:2003 as published in December 2003 and confirmed.
| Reference | Role | Edition information |
|---|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 10021-1 | System and service overview | 2003 edition; published November 2003 and shown by ISO as confirmed |
| ISO/IEC 10021-2 | Overall architecture, including models, configuration, naming and addressing, routing, and directory use | 2003 edition; published December 2003 and shown by ISO as confirmed |
| ITU-T F.400/X.400 | System and service overview and related MHS recommendations | June 1999 |
| ITU-T X.420 | Interpersonal messaging | June 1999 |
| ITU-T X.440 | Store-and-forward voice messaging protocol | June 1999 |
| ISO/IEC 10021-8 | EDI messaging system and service | 1999 edition |
The standards describe a defined architecture and services; they should not be treated as a description of every contemporary messaging platform. A product or application called a “message handling system” may use the phrase in a broader, non-standard-specific sense.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Hardware, kernel, and application internals, and how they perform
- Methodologies for rapid performance analysis of complex systems
- Optimizing CPU, memory, file system, disk, and networking usage
- Sophisticated profiling and tracing with perf, Ftrace, and BPF (BCC and bpftrace)
- Performance challenges associated with cloud computing hypervisors
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches
