Which of the following is the correct sequence of packets to perform the 3-way handshake method?

SYN, ACK, SYN/ACK is incorrect because the server must send a combined SYN/ACK as the second packet, not a bare ACK, and the client's final reply is an ACK, not a SYN/ACK.

The correct TCP 3-way handshake sequence is SYN (client initiates by synchronizing), SYN/ACK (server acknowledges and synchronizes back), then ACK (client acknowledges the server's response). This exchange establishes sequence numbers on both sides before data transfer begins, ensuring a reliable, ordered connection per RFC 793.

SYN, SYN, ACK is incorrect because the server never sends a plain SYN in response; it always combines the synchronization and acknowledgment into a single SYN/ACK packet.

SYN, ACK, ACK is incorrect because the server's response must include its own SYN flag to synchronize its sequence number with the client, making it SYN/ACK rather than a bare ACK.