NSE7 Advanced VPN and Zero Trust Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume `proto_state=01` means an established session because they see a non-zero duration and expire time, but FortiGate uses a different numbering scheme than standard TCP state diagrams.
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
✓
The TCP handshake has not completed; the client sent SYN and is waiting for SYN-ACK
The output shows `proto=6` (TCP) and `proto_state=01`, which in FortiGate's session table indicates a TCP SYN_SENT state. The session has been active for 3600 seconds (1 hour) with 3599 seconds remaining, meaning the client sent a SYN but never received a SYN-ACK, so the TCP three-way handshake is incomplete. This is why option A is correct.
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.
- ✗
The session is fully established and has been idle for 1 hour
Why it's wrong here
proto_state=01 is SYN_SENT, not established.
- ✗
The session is in FIN_WAIT state and is closing
Why it's wrong here
FIN_WAIT has different state codes.
- ✗
The session is using UDP protocol
Why it's wrong here
proto=6 indicates TCP.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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