This blog post is part of our Akamai Explains series – a collection of posts that break down the infrastructure behind the internet. This week we explain the TCP three-way handshake.

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\r\n The TCP three-way handshake is one of the critical building blocks of the internet. It facilitates the smooth and consistent flow of information across and among different networks.

\r\n The handshake is a data-sharing process that involves a back-and-forth communication between a client (for example a mobile phone or Smart TV) and a server. The purpose of this communication is to establish a secure and reliable connection so that data (files, images, videos, etc.) can be transferred efficiently between the systems.

\r\n Why is the TCP three-way handshake important?

\r\n The TCP three-way handshake has become the de facto way of sharing data across networks because it is so robust.

\r\n It comes complete with error checking, retransmission of missing/corrupt data, and several other important features that…