Palo Alto Networks (PANW) Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) Practice Exam

In a TCP packet sent over Ethernet, what is the order of data?

1. Ethernet header, TCP header, and then TCP data

2. IP header, TCP header, and then TCP data

3. Ethernet header, IP header, TCP header, and then TCP data

4. Ethernet header, IP header, IP data, TCP header, and then TCP data

The correct answer is: Ethernet header, IP header, TCP header, and then TCP data

The correct order of data in a TCP packet sent over Ethernet is indeed the Ethernet header, followed by the IP header, then the TCP header, and finally, the TCP data. This structure adheres to the layering of protocols in the OSI model, particularly within the TCP/IP stack. The Ethernet header is the first layer and is crucial for defining how the packet will be transmitted over the physical network medium. It contains important information such as the destination and source MAC addresses. Next, the IP header comes into play. This is responsible for encapsulating the TCP segment and includes details pertinent to routing the packet across different networks, such as source and destination IP addresses. Following that, the TCP header provides information necessary for establishing connections and maintaining session control. It includes fields like port numbers and sequence numbers, which are essential for ensuring that data is delivered accurately and in the correct order. Lastly, the TCP data portion contains the actual payload or data being transmitted. This is the content that is delivered to the receiving application. Understanding this order is key in networking and cybersecurity as it highlights how data is encapsulated and transmitted through various layers in a network, ensuring communication is structured and efficient.