With respect to a TCP connection between a client and a server, which one of the following statements is true? A) The client and server use a two-way handshake mechanism before the start of data transmission B) The server cannot initiate closing of the connection before the client initiates closing of the connection C) The TCP connection is half-duplex D) The client and server can initiate closing of the connection at the same time

Official answer: D) The client and server can initiate closing of the connection at the same time. Explanation: Let us analyze the given statements regarding TCP connections: - Option A is incorrect: TCP connection establishment uses a three-way handshake mechanism (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK), not a two-way handshake. - Option B is incorrect: Either endpoint (client or server) can initiate the connection termination process by sending a `FIN` segment. - Option C is incorrect: TCP is a full-duplex protocol, meaning data can flow in both directions simultaneously. - Option D is correct: TCP supports simultaneous close, where both endpoints send `FIN` segments at the same time to initiate connection termination independently. Therefore, D is the correct option.

A) The client and server use a two-way handshake mechanism before the start of data transmission

B) The server cannot initiate closing of the connection before the client initiates closing of the connection

C) The TCP connection is half-duplex

TCP Flow and Congestion Control

GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 · Q18

MCQ1 markEasy

Time00:00

With respect to a TCP connection between a client and a server, which one of the following statements is true?

Select one answerSingle correct

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Solution

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Official answer: D) The client and server can initiate closing of the connection at the same time

TCP Flow and Congestion Control

Let us analyze the given statements regarding TCP connections:

Option A is incorrect: TCP connection establishment uses a three-way handshake mechanism (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK), not a two-way handshake.
Option B is incorrect: Either endpoint (client or server) can initiate the connection termination process by sending a FIN segment.
Option C is incorrect: TCP is a full-duplex protocol, meaning data can flow in both directions simultaneously.
Option D is correct: TCP supports simultaneous close, where both endpoints send FIN segments at the same time to initiate connection termination independently.

Therefore, D is the correct option.

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This TCP Flow and Congestion Control previous year question is Q18 of the GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on TCP Flow and Congestion Control in Computer Networks, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

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TCP Flow and Congestion Control in GATE CSE

TCP Flow and Congestion Control has 23 GATE CSE PYQs across 21 papers from 2012 to 2026. 10 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2026 Set 1 has 2.

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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.