The TCP 3-Way Handshake is a key process that helps create a reliable connection between two devices on a TCP/IP network. It includes three steps: SYN (Synchronize), SYN-ACK (Synchronize-Acknowledge), and ACK (Acknowledge). During this handshake, the client and server swap initial sequence numbers and confirm the connection is set up. In this article, we'll dive into the TCP 3-Way Handshake process.
how the handshake works in a fun way:
SYN (🚀)
- The Client sends the first message:
"Hey, can we talk?"
Translation: The client sends a SYN (Synchronize) packet to the server, saying, "I want to connect to you!"
- The Client sends the first message:
SYN-ACK (🎉)
- The Server responds with excitement:
"Sure! I'm ready if you are!"
Translation: The server sends back a SYN-ACK (Synchronize-Acknowledge) packet, saying, "Okay, I hear you, and I'm ready to connect!"
- The Server responds with excitement:
ACK (👍)
- The Client gets the go-ahead and replies:
"Great! Let's start chatting!"
Translation: The client sends an ACK (Acknowledge) packet to finalize the handshake, confirming the connection.
- The Client gets the go-ahead and replies:
Connection Established (🎉🎉)
- Now both the client and server are like:
"We're besties now! Let's exchange memes and data packets!"
Translation: The TCP connection is established, and data can flow smoothly.
- Now both the client and server are like:
Conclusion
The TCP 3-Way Handshake is important for setting up a secure connection between a client and a server on a TCP/IP network. It has three main steps: the client starts by sending a SYN packet, the server replies with a SYN-ACK message to confirm the request and sync sequence numbers, and the client sends an ACK packet to finish the connection. This handshake makes sure both sides are ready for reliable data transfer, which is crucial for stable and secure communication in TCP/IP networks.