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200-201 Network Intrusion Analysis Practice Question

Which Wireshark filter can be used to extract the full TCP data of a specific conversation from a PCAP?

⚠ Common exam trap

200-201 often tests the confusion between filtering by port/IP (which can match multiple conversations) and using `tcp.stream` to isolate one specific conversation.

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

✓

tcp.stream

The `tcp.stream` filter in Wireshark isolates a single TCP conversation by its stream index, allowing analysts to follow the entire bidirectional flow of that session. Once filtered, you can right-click and select Follow > TCP Stream to extract the full payload. This is the standard method for reconstructing application-layer data from a specific conversation in a PCAP.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

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

  • ✓

    tcp.stream

    Why this is correct

    tcp.stream isolates one complete TCP conversation by its stream index, letting you follow and export all payload bytes for that specific session. This satisfies the requirement to extract the full TCP data of a single conversation rather than filtering individual packets by port or address.

  • ✗

    tcp.port

    Why it's wrong here

    tcp.port filters packets by TCP port number, which narrows traffic but does not reassemble or extract the complete data stream of one conversation. It is tempting because port filtering quickly isolates a service's traffic, and it would be the right choice when you only need packets matching a given port.

  • ✗

    http.request

    Why it's wrong here

    http.request matches only HTTP request headers, so it discards TCP payload from other protocols and cannot reconstruct a full conversation's data. It is tempting because HTTP is the most common traffic analysts inspect, and this filter is genuinely useful when isolating HTTP requests specifically, not arbitrary TCP streams.

  • ✗

    ip.addr

    Why it's wrong here

    ip.addr matches packets by IP address, capturing all traffic to or from a host rather than extracting the reassembled TCP data of a single conversation. It is tempting because address filtering is the fastest way to isolate one host's traffic, and it would be correct when you need every packet involving that IP.

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JA

Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Cisco exam blueprint

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.