GATE 2022 CS – Question 60
Consider the data transfer using TCP over a 1 Gbps link. Assuming that the maximum segment lifetime (MSL) is set to 60 seconds, the minimum number of bits required for the sequence number field of the TCP header, to prevent the sequence number space from wrapping around during the MSL is ____________.
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Correct answer: 33
Explanation
At 1 Gbps, 125×10^6 bytes/s are sent, so 60 s covers $7.5\times10^9$ bytes. Since $2^{32}<7.5\times10^9<2^{33}$, at least 33 bits are needed.