The answer is that proto_state=01 indicates the BGP sessions are in the process of being established but are not yet fully up. This state, specifically proto=6 for TCP and proto_state=01, corresponds to the TCP SYN_SENT phase, meaning the FortiGate has sent a SYN packet to initiate the BGP connection but has not yet received the corresponding SYN-ACK from the peer. On the Fortinet NSE 7 Advanced Security NSE7 exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between a session stuck in TCP handshake versus a fully established BGP session; a common trap is confusing this with an active, stable BGP peering. Persistent sessions in this state point to a failure to reach the Established state, often due to misconfigured peer IPs, incorrect AS numbers, or a firewall blocking TCP port 179. Memory tip: think of proto_state=01 as the "one-way" handshake—the SYN went out, but the ACK never came back.
NSE7 Advanced Networking and SD-WAN Practice Question
This NSE7 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking and sd-wan. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 179' on a FortiGate and see many sessions with proto=6 and proto_state=01. What does this indicate about the BGP sessions?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
BGP sessions are in the process of being established, but not yet fully up.
proto_state=01 indicates TCP session establishment (SYN_SENT). Persistent sessions in this state suggest BGP peers are not reaching Established state, possibly due to misconfiguration or firewall blocking.
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.
✗
BGP sessions are fully established and exchanging routes.
Why it's wrong here
Established BGP sessions would show a different state (e.g., ESTABLISHED).
✗
BGP sessions are being actively torn down.
Why it's wrong here
Teardown would show FIN or RST states.
✓
BGP sessions are in the process of being established, but not yet fully up.
Why this is correct
proto_state=01 means SYN_SENT, indicating TCP handshake is incomplete.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
BGP sessions are using TCP port 179 but are idle.
Why it's wrong here
Idle sessions would not show active sessions.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Established BGP sessions would show a different state (e.g., ESTABLISHED).
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: BGP sessions are in the process of being established, but not yet fully up. — proto_state=01 indicates TCP session establishment (SYN_SENT). Persistent sessions in this state suggest BGP peers are not reaching Established state, possibly due to misconfiguration or firewall blocking.
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.
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Question Discussion
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