What is the primary function of Keepalives in a TCP connection?

The primary function of Keepalives in a TCP connection is to ensure that the connection remains active. This mechanism is particularly important in long-lived connections where idle periods may occur. Keepalives help to confirm that both ends of the connection are still responsive, which is crucial for maintaining the reliability that TCP offers.

When Keepalive messages are sent, they serve as a way for the sending device to check if the receiving device is still available and functioning properly. If the receiving device is down or if there are issues with network connectivity, the sender can detect this through the absence of a response to the Keepalive messages. This proactive monitoring helps to prevent scenarios where the connection appears to be active when, in fact, it has silently failed.

In contrast, enhanced data throughput, verification of data integrity, and increases in connection speed are related to different aspects of TCP operation, such as congestion control and flow control mechanisms, but they do not pertain directly to the role of Keepalive messages. The focus of Keepalives is primarily about maintaining the status of the connection rather than performance enhancements or data verification.