TCP MSS

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TCP MSS

L0 Member

 Below is the statement on MSS from PALO ALTO KB:

  1. The TCP MSS, the maximum segment size, is a parameter of the options field of the TCP header that specifies the largest amount of data, specified in bytes, that a computer or communications device can receive in a single TCP segment. It does not include the TCP header (20bytes) or the IP header (20bytes).
  2. This MSS value is announced (often mistakenly called a negotiation) from both sides during the TCP 3WHS.
Each side says: I can accept TCP segments up to the size of x.
  1. Once each side announces its MSS, the remote side is expected to send packets containing a TCP segment no larger than the announced MSS value. 


Now my query based on above statement is if one side has announced its MSS as 1400 BYTES and other side has sent TCP segment with 1450 BYTES of size.
Will the other side processes the segment or simply drops it?

1 REPLY 1

Cyber Elite
Cyber Elite

Endpoints share maximum MSS in initial TCP 3way handshake.

Why would one participant send to packet to second participant with bigger payload than second participant notified in the beginning of communication?

Smaller MSS is usually advertised to avoid packet fragmentation by routers/firewalls on the path and not due endpoint's capability to accept full size packet.

Principal Architect @ Cloud Carib Ltd
Palo Alto Networks certified from 2011
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