Quick Answer
The answer is that proto_state=01 indicates the session is in TCP SYN_SENT, waiting for a SYN-ACK. This is correct because in FortiGate’s session table, proto=6 confirms TCP, and the proto_state field uses a numeric code where 01 specifically represents the SYN_SENT phase of the three-way handshake. The duration of 3600 seconds and expire of 3599 show the session has been waiting nearly a full hour, meaning the firewall forwarded the initial SYN but never received the expected SYN-ACK from the remote host, so the session remains unestablished. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this question tests your ability to read raw session output and correlate proto_state values with TCP state machine transitions—a common trap is confusing proto_state=01 with an established session (which would show 02 for ESTABLISHED). Remember the memory tip: “01 is the one that’s sent, waiting for a response.”
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced threat protection. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
You run 'diagnose sys session filter dport 443' and see the following output: proto=6 proto_state=01 duration=3600 expire=3599 What does this indicate about the session?
The session is timed out
Why wrong: expire=3599 means it's still active.
The session is closing (FIN_WAIT)
Why wrong: FIN_WAIT states have different codes.
The session is in SYN_SENT state, waiting for SYN-ACK
proto_state=01 indicates SYN_SENT.
The session is fully established (proto_state=01 means established)
Why wrong: 01 is SYN_SENT, not established.
Answer choices
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 SYN_SENT state, waiting for SYN-ACK
The output shows `proto=6` (TCP), `proto_state=01`, `duration=3600`, and `expire=3599`. In Fortinet's session table, `proto_state=01` for TCP indicates the session is in the SYN_SENT state, meaning the firewall has forwarded a SYN packet and is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the remote host. The session is not yet established, as the three-way handshake has not completed.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
The session is timed out
Why it's wrong here
expire=3599 means it's still active.
The session is closing (FIN_WAIT)
Why it's wrong here
FIN_WAIT states have different codes.
The session is in SYN_SENT state, waiting for SYN-ACK
Why this is correct
proto_state=01 indicates SYN_SENT.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The session is fully established (proto_state=01 means established)
Why it's wrong here
01 is SYN_SENT, not established.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often misinterpret `proto_state=01` as an established session because they associate '01' with a binary 'on' or 'active' state, but in Fortinet's TCP state encoding, 01 specifically means SYN_SENT, not established.
Detailed technical explanation
Fortinet's session table uses `proto_state` to track the TCP state machine internally, with values like 01 (SYN_SENT), 02 (SYN_RCVD), 03 (ESTABLISHED), and 04/05 (FIN_WAIT/CLOSE_WAIT). The `duration` and `expire` fields show the session has been alive for 3600 seconds and will expire in 3599 seconds, which is typical for a long-lived session that has not yet completed the handshake—this can occur if the remote host is slow to respond or if there is asymmetric routing causing the SYN-ACK to be dropped.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Advanced Threat Protection — This question tests Advanced Threat Protection — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: The session is in SYN_SENT state, waiting for SYN-ACK — The output shows `proto=6` (TCP), `proto_state=01`, `duration=3600`, and `expire=3599`. In Fortinet's session table, `proto_state=01` for TCP indicates the session is in the SYN_SENT state, meaning the firewall has forwarded a SYN packet and is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the remote host. The session is not yet established, as the three-way handshake has not completed.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Same concept, more angles
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. You run 'diagnose sys session filter dport 443' and see the following output: proto=6 proto_state=01 duration=3600 expire=3599 What does this indicate?
hardWhy B: The output shows a TCP session (proto=6) with state 01, which in Fortinet's session table indicates an established TCP connection. The duration of 3600 seconds and expire value of 3599 seconds mean the session has been active for about one hour and has approximately one hour remaining before the idle timeout expires. This matches option B.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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