NSE7 proto_state=01 in FortiGate session table Practice Question
An administrator sees the following output from 'diagnose sys session list' for a particular session: proto=6 proto_state=01 duration=3600 expire=3599. What does this indicate about the session?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is that candidates may mistake proto_state=01 for SYN_SENT, but it actually means the TCP session is ESTABLISHED. Also, the expire value does not indicate TIME_WAIT; TIME_WAIT would have a different state value.
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 session is a TCP session that is still open and will expire in 3599 seconds
The output shows proto=6, which is the protocol number for TCP. proto_state=01 indicates the TCP session is in the SYN_SENT state, meaning the session has been created but the TCP three-way handshake is not yet complete. The duration=3600 means the session has existed for 3600 seconds, and expire=3599 means it will expire in 3599 seconds if no further traffic is seen. Therefore, the session is a TCP session that is still open and will expire in 3599 seconds, making option B 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 session is an ICMP session
Why it's wrong here
proto=6 is TCP, not ICMP.
- ✓
The session is a TCP session that is still open and will expire in 3599 seconds
Why this is correct
proto=6 is TCP, duration=3600 seconds, expire=3599 seconds remaining.
- ✗
The session is a TCP session in TIME_WAIT state
Why it's wrong here
proto_state=01 typically indicates established state, not TIME_WAIT.
- ✗
The session is for UDP traffic and has been up for 3600 seconds
Why it's wrong here
proto=6 indicates TCP, not UDP.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.