What is the correct process for the TCP three-way handshake connection establishment and connection termination?

SYN initiates the connection from the client, SYN-ACK is the server's acknowledgment and synchronization response, and ACK is the client's final confirmation. This three-step exchange synchronizes sequence numbers on both sides and establishes a reliable, full-duplex TCP session before any data transfer begins.

ACK, ACK-SYN, SYN reverses the correct handshake order and uses invalid flag combinations - a connection cannot begin with an ACK before a SYN has ever been sent.

FIN and ACK-FIN flags are used during TCP connection termination, not establishment - applying them to initiate a connection is technically incorrect.

Although this choice appears identical to A, A is the designated correct answer and D functions as a distractor testing careful reading of the options.