What is the first step of the TCP 3-Way Handshake?

In the TCP 3-Way Handshake, the first step is the Synchronization (SYN) packet. This step is crucial for establishing a reliable connection between a client and a server before any data can be transferred.

When a client wants to initiate a connection, it sends a SYN packet to the server to indicate that it wants to establish a TCP session. This packet includes an initial sequence number, which the server uses for tracking the order of packets. The purpose of this step is to synchronize the sequence numbers between the client and server, as both sides need to agree on the starting point for packet transmission.

This first step sets the stage for the subsequent actions in the handshake process, where the server responds with a SYN-ACK packet to acknowledge receipt of the SYN, and the client sends back an ACK packet to finalize the connection establishment. By beginning with the SYN, TCP ensures that both parties are ready to communicate effectively and can manage the transmission of data reliably.