Resets & idle probes
11A reset aborts a connection. Keep-alive probes, when enabled, test an idle connection without implying guaranteed failure detection.
Related RFCs and changes
“Updates” changes part of an earlier RFC. “Obsoletes” replaces it. This list shows selected related documents.
DIAGRAM§ 3.5.3 ↗
RFC 9293 · § 3.5.3EXAMPLE
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Keep an idle connection active.
A missing reply to one probe alone is not proof of a failed connection.
Protocol participantThreat or exceptionProtocol controlSimplified drawings · precise section references
Read the updated RFC section ↗
A control flag is interpreted in context.
- RST validation depends on the TCP state and sequence information.
- TCP must not answer a received RST with another RST.
- Keep-alives are optional, default off, and must be configurable per connection; one unanswered probe cannot establish that the peer is dead.
RFC 5961 describes additional reset defenses with specific applicability. They are not a substitute for cryptographic protection.
Read the RFC section ↗Diagrams simplify the RFC. Read the linked sections for complete requirements.
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