This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of troubleshoot. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
---
> show session id 12345
Session ID: 12345
Source IP: 10.1.1.100
Destination IP: 192.168.2.50
Source Port: 34567
Destination Port: 80
Protocol: TCP
State: FIN_WAIT
Application: ssl
NAT Source: 10.1.1.100
NAT Destination: 192.168.2.50
---
Refer to the exhibit. The session is in FIN_WAIT state. What does this indicate about the TCP connection?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
---
> show session id 12345
Session ID: 12345
Source IP: 10.1.1.100
Destination IP: 192.168.2.50
Source Port: 34567
Destination Port: 80
Protocol: TCP
State: FIN_WAIT
Application: ssl
NAT Source: 10.1.1.100
NAT Destination: 192.168.2.50
---
A
The connection is actively transferring data
Why wrong: Data transfer occurs in ESTABLISHED state.
B
The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish
FIN_WAIT means the firewall initiated the close and is waiting for final packets.
C
The connection has timed out and is being removed
Why wrong: Timeout would show TIME_WAIT or CLOSE states.
D
The firewall is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the destination
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish
The FIN_WAIT state indicates that the firewall has sent a FIN packet to close its side of the TCP connection and is now waiting for the corresponding FIN acknowledgment (ACK) from the remote endpoint. This is a normal part of the TCP connection termination process, where the firewall initiates the close and waits for the peer to finish sending data and acknowledge the closure.
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 connection is actively transferring data
Why it's wrong here
Data transfer occurs in ESTABLISHED state.
✓
The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish
Why this is correct
FIN_WAIT means the firewall initiated the close and is waiting for final packets.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The connection has timed out and is being removed
Why it's wrong here
Timeout would show TIME_WAIT or CLOSE states.
✗
The firewall is waiting for a SYN-ACK from the destination
Why it's wrong here
That would be SYN_SENT state.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that FIN_WAIT indicates active data transfer or a timeout, when in fact it is a normal intermediate state in the graceful TCP teardown process initiated by the firewall.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Timeout would show TIME_WAIT or CLOSE states.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In TCP, the FIN_WAIT state is entered after the local endpoint (here, the firewall) sends a FIN and receives an ACK for that FIN, moving from FIN_WAIT_1 to FIN_WAIT_2. The firewall then waits for the remote endpoint to send its own FIN, after which it sends a final ACK and transitions to TIME_WAIT before fully closing. This state is critical for ensuring reliable delivery of all data before connection termination, as defined in RFC 793.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 PCNSE 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.
Visual reference
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Troubleshoot — This question tests Troubleshoot — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The firewall has closed the connection and is waiting for the client or server to finish — The FIN_WAIT state indicates that the firewall has sent a FIN packet to close its side of the TCP connection and is now waiting for the corresponding FIN acknowledgment (ACK) from the remote endpoint. This is a normal part of the TCP connection termination process, where the firewall initiates the close and waits for the peer to finish sending data and acknowledge the closure.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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