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200-201 Practice Question: Drag and drop the steps for the TCP three-way…

Drag and drop the steps for the TCP three-way handshake into the correct order.

Drag steps to the numbered slots on the right, or tap a step then tap a slot.

Steps
Order
1Step 1
2Step 2
3Step 3
4Step 4
5Step 5

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Step 1: SYN, Step 2: SYN-ACK, Step 3: ACK

The TCP three-way handshake must occur in the order: SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK. This sequence synchronizes sequence numbers and establishes a reliable connection before data transfer. Any deviation breaks protocol rules and prevents connection setup.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✓

    Step 1: SYN, Step 2: SYN-ACK, Step 3: ACK

    Why this is correct

    This is the correct sequence for the TCP three-way handshake: the client sends a SYN segment, the server responds with SYN-ACK, and the client completes with an ACK, establishing a reliable connection.

  • ✗

    Step 1: SYN, Step 2: ACK, Step 3: SYN-ACK

    Why it's wrong here

    This order is incorrect because after the client sends SYN, the server must send SYN-ACK before the client can send ACK. Sending ACK before SYN-ACK is invalid as the client cannot acknowledge a sequence number it hasn't received.

  • ✗

    Step 1: SYN-ACK, Step 2: SYN, Step 3: ACK

    Why it's wrong here

    This order is incorrect because the handshake must start with a SYN from the client, not a SYN-ACK. The server only sends SYN-ACK after receiving the initial SYN.

  • ✗

    Step 1: ACK, Step 2: SYN, Step 3: SYN-ACK

    Why it's wrong here

    This order is incorrect because the handshake cannot begin with an ACK; it must start with a SYN. ACK is used only after the first two steps are completed.

Visual reference

Client Server SYN (seq=100) SYN-ACK (seq=200, ack=101) ACK (ack=201) Connection established — data transfer begins

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

This 200-201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-201 exam.