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N10-009 Network Implementation Practice Question
Drag and drop the steps for the TCP three-way handshake into the correct order.
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: Send SYN, Step 2: Receive SYN-ACK, Step 3: Send ACK
The TCP three-way handshake is a fundamental process for establishing a connection. It begins with the client sending a SYN packet to the server. The server responds with a SYN-ACK packet, acknowledging the client's SYN and sending its own SYN. Finally, the client sends an ACK packet to acknowledge the server's SYN, completing the handshake. This sequence ensures both sides agree on initial sequence numbers and are ready to communicate.
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: Send SYN, Step 2: Receive SYN-ACK, Step 3: Send ACK
Why this is correct
This sequence accurately depicts the TCP three-way handshake, which establishes a reliable connection. The client initiates by sending a Synchronization (SYN) segment to the server, requesting to synchronize sequence numbers. The server then responds with a SYN-ACK segment, acknowledging the client's SYN and sending its own synchronization request. Finally, the client sends an Acknowledgment (ACK) segment to confirm receipt of the server's SYN-ACK, completing the connection establishment.
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Step 1: Send SYN, Step 2: Send ACK, Step 3: Receive SYN-ACK
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because the client sends an Acknowledgment (ACK) in the second step without first receiving a Synchronization-Acknowledgment (SYN-ACK) from the server. An ACK segment is used to confirm receipt of data or a previous SYN, so sending it prematurely, before the server has even responded to the initial SYN, violates the fundamental request-response mechanism of the handshake. This sequence would prevent the server from properly synchronizing its sequence numbers with the client.
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Step 1: Send SYN-ACK, Step 2: Receive SYN, Step 3: Send ACK
Why it's wrong here
This sequence is incorrect because it proposes the server initiating the handshake by sending a Synchronization-Acknowledgment (SYN-ACK) segment. In the TCP three-way handshake, the client is always the initiator, sending the initial SYN segment to request a connection. The server only responds with a SYN-ACK after receiving and processing the client's initial SYN, making this proposed starting step fundamentally out of order for connection establishment.
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Step 1: Send ACK, Step 2: Send SYN, Step 3: Receive SYN-ACK
Why it's wrong here
This order is incorrect because it begins with sending an Acknowledgment (ACK) segment. An ACK is used to confirm receipt of a previous segment and cannot be the initiating step for a new TCP connection. The handshake must always commence with a Synchronization (SYN) segment from the client to request connection establishment, making the initial ACK in this sequence logically impossible for starting a new session.
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Key term
TCP
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a core internet protocol that ensures data is sent reliably and in order between devices over a network.
Key term
TCP
TCP is a connection-oriented transport layer protocol that ensures reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications over IP networks.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This N10-009 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 N10-009 exam.