Learning Experience
TCP Three-Way Handshake
Before any data flows, a TCP client and server exchange three segments — SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK — to agree on starting sequence numbers and confirm both sides are ready.
Computer ScienceIntermediate7 min readnetworkingprotocolstcp
Your learning journey
Every module Axiom offers for tcp three-way handshake — work through them in order, or jump to what you need.
TopicLiveUp next
Explains why the handshake exists, what SYN/SYN-ACK/ACK mean, and contrasts TCP with connectionless UDP.
VisualizerLive
Builds intuition by animating packet flow and connection-state transitions between client and server, one segment at a time.
QuizLive
Checks that the SYN / SYN-ACK / ACK ordering is understood before moving on.
AI TutorLive
Answers follow-up questions and adapts the explanation to the learner's level.
Cheat SheetLive
One-glance recall of the segment order, both state paths, and the acknowledgment-number rule.