# TCP connection teardown

When either host wants to end a TCP connection they follow a teardown protocol :

• The client sends an empty finish message with the FIN bit set to 1.
• The server sends an acknowledgement message for that closing message.
• After the server has closed off the connection it sets an empty finish message with the FIN bit set to 1.
• Lastly the client sends an empty acknowledgement message for that finish message. This is sent again after short delay to increase the chance that is received.