GATE 2026 CS (CS1) – Question 18
With respect to a TCP connection between a client and a server, which one of the following statements is true?
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Correct answer: (D) The client and server can initiate closing of the connection at the same time
Explanation
- Option (A) is false: TCP uses a three-way handshake (SYN, SYN+ACK, ACK) to establish a connection.
- Option (B) is false: Either the client or the server can independently initiate termination of the connection by sending a FIN segment.
- Option (C) is false: TCP provides a full-duplex byte-stream service.
- Option (D) is true: TCP supports simultaneous close. Both endpoints can simultaneously send FIN segments to each other and transition from ESTABLISHED through FIN_WAIT_1 to CLOSING, eventually reaching TIME_WAIT and CLOSED.
Therefore, option (D) is correct.