101 · Question #593
During a TCP three-way handshake, which packet indicates the serves maximum segment (MSS)?
The correct answer is C. the SYN/ACK packet. Both peers advertise their Maximum Segment Size (MSS) in the TCP Options field of their respective SYN packets during the three-way handshake. The server's MSS is carried in its SYN/ACK packet.
Question
During a TCP three-way handshake, which packet indicates the serves maximum segment (MSS)?
Options
- Athe initial SYN packet
- Bthe ACK that completes the three way handshake
- Cthe SYN/ACK packet
- Dthe first packet after the three-way handshake
How the community answered
(37 responses)- A3% (1)
- B8% (3)
- C86% (32)
- D3% (1)
Why each option
Both peers advertise their Maximum Segment Size (MSS) in the TCP Options field of their respective SYN packets during the three-way handshake. The server's MSS is carried in its SYN/ACK packet.
The initial SYN packet originates from the client and carries the client's MSS value, not the server's.
The final ACK that completes the handshake does not carry MSS options; MSS negotiation only occurs in packets that have the SYN flag set.
The SYN/ACK is the server's first packet in the three-way handshake, and it includes a TCP Options field containing the server's MSS value. This informs the client of the largest segment the server is willing to accept for the connection.
The first data packet sent after the handshake is complete is not part of connection establishment and does not contain MSS negotiation.
Concept tested: TCP three-way handshake server MSS advertisement
Source: https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9293
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