The answer is that the TCP handshake has not completed, as proto_state=01 in the diagnose sys session list output indicates TCP SYN_SENT. This state means the client has sent a SYN packet and is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the server, so the three-way handshake remains unfinished. The session has been active for 3600 seconds and will expire in 3599 seconds, suggesting the server may be unresponsive or the SYN packet was lost. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this tests your ability to interpret session diagnostics and identify incomplete TCP connections, a common scenario when troubleshooting firewall policies or network timeouts. A frequent trap is confusing proto_state=01 with an established session; remember that proto_state=01 is the initial SYN_SENT state, while proto_state=0A (10) indicates an established connection. Memory tip: think of “01” as the “one” SYN that went out but hasn’t been acknowledged yet.
NSE7 Advanced VPN and Zero Trust Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced vpn and zero trust. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An administrator runs the following command on a FortiGate and sees the output:
diagnose sys session filter dport 443
diagnose sys session list
proto=6 proto_state=01 duration=3600 expire=3599
What does this indicate about the session?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The TCP handshake has not completed; the client sent SYN and is waiting for SYN-ACK
The session has been active for 3600 seconds (1 hour) and will expire in 3599 seconds. Proto_state=01 indicates TCP SYN_SENT state, meaning the TCP handshake hasn't completed. This could be due to the server not responding.
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.
✓
The TCP handshake has not completed; the client sent SYN and is waiting for SYN-ACK
Why this is correct
proto_state=01 is TCP SYN_SENT state, indicating the initial SYN has been sent but no SYN-ACK received.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The session is fully established and has been idle for 1 hour
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 NSE7 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — This question tests Advanced VPN and Zero Trust — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The TCP handshake has not completed; the client sent SYN and is waiting for SYN-ACK — The session has been active for 3600 seconds (1 hour) and will expire in 3599 seconds. Proto_state=01 indicates TCP SYN_SENT state, meaning the TCP handshake hasn't completed. This could be due to the server not responding.
What should I do if I get this NSE7 question wrong?
Identify which NSE7 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A FortiGate administrator runs the following command on a FortiGate and sees the output:
diagnose sys session filter dport 443
diagnose sys session list
proto=6 proto_state=01 duration=3600 expire=3599
What does this output indicate about the session?
hard
✓ A.The session is in SYN_SENT state; the three-way handshake is incomplete
B.The session has been terminated due to inactivity
C.The session is a UDP session
D.The session is fully established and has been active for 3600 seconds
Why A: proto_state=01 indicates TCP SYN_SENT state, meaning the session has not completed three-way handshake.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
Question Discussion
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This NSE7 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet 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 NSE7 exam.
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