Which of the following is TRUE if a BGP session state is Connect?

Question

Options

• ABGP is waiting for the TCP connection to be completed.
• BBGP has established a TCP connection, and an Open message has been sent to that neighbor.
• CThe BGP session has been interrupted, and a TCP connection is being re-established.
• DBGP has failed to establish a TCP connection to that neighbor, and ConnectRetry has been reset to zero.

• A
  4% (1)
• B
  92% (22)
• D
  4% (1)

Explanation

There appears to be an error in the provided answer key. Based on RFC 4271 and standard BGP documentation, option A is actually correct for the Connect state.

Here's the accurate breakdown:

Why A is correct: In the Connect state, BGP has initiated a TCP connection and is waiting for it to complete. The router hasn't done anything with BGP yet - it's just waiting on TCP to finish the 3-way handshake.

Why B is wrong (and describes a different state): Option B describes the OpenSent state - TCP is established, and a BGP OPEN message has already been sent. BGP moves into OpenSent only after leaving Connect successfully.

Why C is wrong: Reconnecting after an interruption describes the Active state, where BGP is actively retrying a TCP connection after Connect failed.

Why D is wrong: Failing to establish TCP and resetting the ConnectRetry timer is also part of the Active state behavior, not Connect.

Memory tip: Think of the BGP states in order - Idle → Connect → Active → OpenSent → OpenConfirm → Established. Connect just means "waiting on TCP." Once TCP succeeds and OPEN is sent, you're in OpenSent. The name "Connect" refers to the TCP connection attempt, not its completion.

If this came from a practice exam or study guide, it likely contains a typo - the answer should be A.

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