In a TCP connection, what does the client initiate?

In a TCP connection, the client initiates a connection request as part of the three-way handshake process that establishes a connection with a server. This process begins when the client sends a SYN (synchronize) packet to the server to indicate its desire to establish a connection. The server then responds with a SYN-ACK (synchronize-acknowledge) packet, confirming the receipt of the client's request and signaling that it is ready to communicate. Finally, the client sends an ACK (acknowledge) packet back to the server, completing the handshake and establishing the connection.

This initial connection request is crucial because it sets the stage for any subsequent data transfer between the client and server. Understanding this aspect is fundamental when studying TCP connections, as it highlights the proactive nature of the client in initiating communication. Other options like connection termination or session termination refer to processes that occur after a connection is already established, while data transfer represents an action that follows the successful establishment of the connection, rather than initiating it.