The answer is that proto_state=0x0a indicates the session is in the TCP FIN_WAIT_2 state, which is a normal part of connection teardown where the local side has sent a FIN and received an ACK but is still waiting for the remote side to close. This hex value 0x0a equals decimal 10, mapping directly to the FIN_WAIT_2 state in FortiOS session diagnostics, and an excessive number of sessions stuck here often points to a remote peer failing to properly close connections, leading to resource exhaustion and slow performance. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this question tests your ability to interpret session state hex codes during troubleshooting, with a common trap being to confuse 0x0a with TIME_WAIT (which is 0x0b) or ESTABLISHED (0x01). Remember the memory tip: “0x0a is the ‘A’ in ‘Awaiting’—the local side is waiting for the remote to finish closing.”
NSE7 Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of enterprise firewall and vdoms. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A FortiGate administrator is troubleshooting slow network performance. The administrator runs the command 'diagnose sys session filter dst 10.0.0.1' and sees many sessions in a 'proto_state=0a' state. What does this state indicate? (Select TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The session is in FIN_WAIT_2 state
In FortiOS, the 'proto_state=0a' value in session diagnostics indicates the session is in the TCP FIN_WAIT_2 state (hex 0x0a = decimal 10). This state occurs after the local side has sent a FIN and received an ACK, but is still waiting for the remote side to close its connection. It is a normal part of TCP connection teardown, but an excessive number of sessions in this state can indicate that the remote peer is not properly closing connections, potentially contributing to slow performance due to resource exhaustion.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
The session is in TIME_WAIT state
Why this is correct
TIME_WAIT is also part of teardown; FortiGate may report it as 0x0a.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The session is actively transferring data
Why it's wrong here
Data transfer states are ESTABLISHED (0x06).
✗
The session is in SYN_RECEIVED state
Why it's wrong here
SYN_RECEIVED is typically state 0x02.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse FIN_WAIT_2 (0x0a) with TIME_WAIT (0x0b) or assume any non-ESTABLISHED state indicates a problem, but the question specifically asks for the meaning of 'proto_state=0a', which is FIN_WAIT_2, not TIME_WAIT.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
A reset would show CLOSE state or no session.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'proto_state' field in FortiOS session diagnostics uses hexadecimal values that map directly to TCP state machine values defined in RFC 793. FIN_WAIT_2 (0x0a) is a transient state that should normally be short-lived; however, if the remote peer never sends its FIN, sessions can accumulate and exhaust the session table, especially in environments with misconfigured applications or firewalls that do not properly handle TCP half-close. The 'diagnose sys session filter' command combined with 'diagnose sys session list' is the standard troubleshooting method to identify such stuck sessions.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the NSE7 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs — This question tests Enterprise Firewall and VDOMs — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The session is in FIN_WAIT_2 state — In FortiOS, the 'proto_state=0a' value in session diagnostics indicates the session is in the TCP FIN_WAIT_2 state (hex 0x0a = decimal 10). This state occurs after the local side has sent a FIN and received an ACK, but is still waiting for the remote side to close its connection. It is a normal part of TCP connection teardown, but an excessive number of sessions in this state can indicate that the remote peer is not properly closing connections, potentially contributing to slow performance due to resource exhaustion.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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