The answer is that this output indicates a healthy, active TCP session in the established state that has been running for one hour and will expire in approximately one more hour. This is correct because proto=6 specifically identifies TCP, while proto_state=01 corresponds to the established state in the FortiGate session table, meaning the three-way handshake has completed and data is flowing. The duration field shows 3600 seconds of uptime, and the expire field shows 3599 seconds remaining, confirming the session is still actively tracked. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this type of output tests your ability to interpret diagnose sys session output quickly, often as part of troubleshooting firewall performance or session timeouts. A common trap is confusing proto_state values—remember that 01 is established, while 02 or 04 indicate closing or timed-out states. For a memory tip, think of the number 1 as a straight line representing a stable, established connection.
NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking and sd-wan. 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.
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?
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 in established state that has been active for 1 hour and will expire in about 1 hour.
proto=6 indicates TCP. proto_state=01 means the session is in 'established' state (TCP state established). duration=3600 seconds means the session has been active for 1 hour. expire=3599 means it will expire in 3599 seconds (almost 1 hour more). This indicates a healthy long-lived TCP session that is still active.
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 session is a UDP session with a short timeout.
The session is a TCP session in established state that has been active for 1 hour and will expire in about 1 hour.
Why this is correct
The output matches a TCP established session with durations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The session is a TCP session that has timed out and is being removed.
Why it's wrong here
expire=3599 indicates time left, not timeout.
Common exam traps
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 Networking and SD-WAN — This question tests Advanced Networking and SD-WAN — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The session is a TCP session in established state that has been active for 1 hour and will expire in about 1 hour. — proto=6 indicates TCP. proto_state=01 means the session is in 'established' state (TCP state established). duration=3600 seconds means the session has been active for 1 hour. expire=3599 means it will expire in 3599 seconds (almost 1 hour more). This indicates a healthy long-lived TCP session that is still active.
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. 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?
hard
A.The session is in a half-open state (proto_state=01) and will expire in 3600 seconds.
B.The session has been idle for 3600 seconds and will be removed in 3599 seconds.
✓ C.The session is using TCP and has been up for 3600 seconds, with 3599 seconds remaining before expiry.
D.The session is UDP and has 3600 seconds to live.
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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