Protocols (Serial, Telnet)

While SSH is the dominant protocol for 99% of cloud infrastructure, the physical world runs on Serial (RS-232), and the legacy world still clings to Telnet. Netcatty is built to be a universal tool, not just a cloud tool.

Smart Connect (Quick Connect)

The fastest way to connect is using the search bar. Instead of clicking through menus:

1. Focus the search bar (Cmd + K or Ctrl + K).
2. Type your connection string: user@hostname.
3. Press Enter.
4. Netcatty will automatically determine if a matching Host exists in your Vault. If not, it launches the connection wizard.

Serial Connections (COM / TTY)

Serial connections are fundamentally different from network connections. There is no IP address, no handshake, and no "Try Again". It is a raw stream of bytes over a copper wire.

Hardware Prerequisites

To connect to a router, switch, or embedded board (Raspberry Pi, Arduino), you typically need a USB-to-Serial Adapter.

• Common Chips: FTDI (High quality, plug-and-play), Prolific PL2303 (Common, driver issues on macOS), CH340 (Common in hobbyist electronics).
• Driver: Ensure you have the VCP (Virtual COM Port) driver installed for your specific chip.

Connection Parameters (The "8N1" Standard)

When configuring a Serial host, you must match the device's expectations exactly. A mismatch results in "gobbledygook" text.

1. Port Path:
   • macOS: /dev/tty.usbserial-XXXX or /dev/tty.usbmodemXXXX.
   • Linux: /dev/ttyUSB0 or /dev/ttyACM0.
     • Note: You typically need to add your user to the dialout group (sudo usermod -aG dialout $USER) to access these ports without sudo.
   • Windows: COM3, COM4 (Check Device Manager).
2. Baud Rate: The speed (bits per second).
   • 9600: The standard for Cisco / Networking gear.
   • 115200: The standard for modern Embedded Linux / Raspberry Pi consoles.
3. Data Bits: Almost always 8.
4. Parity: Almost always None ("N").
5. Stop Bits: Almost always 1.

Hence, the shorthand "115200 8N1".

Telnet (RFC 854)

Telnet is unencrypted text over TCP. Warning: Never use Telnet over the public internet. Passwords are sent in clear text.

Use Cases

1. Legacy Industrial Gear: Power Distribution Units (PDUs), old managed switches, and factory PLCs often only support Telnet.
2. Debugging Services: You can use Netcatty's Telnet mode to debug raw TCP services.
   • Scenario: Debugging an HTTP server.
   • Host: google.com
   • Port: 80
   • Protocol: Telnet
   • Action: Connect, then type GET / HTTP/1.1 and hit Enter twice. You will see the raw HTTP response headers.

Mosh (Mobile Shell)

For unstable connections (shuttle Wi-Fi, cell data), Netcatty supports Mosh.

• Requirement: mosh-server must be installed on the remote host.
• Behavior: Predictive echo and roaming support (switch from Wi-Fi to 5G without disconnect).
• Settings: You can specify a custom mosh-server path in the host's Advanced settings panel.

Local Shell

Netcatty can functionally replace Terminal.app, iTerm2, or PowerShell.

Shell Detection

• macOS/Linux: Netcatty reads your $SHELL environment variable. If you use zsh with Oh-My-Zsh, it loads securely.
• Windows:
  • You can create separate "Local Hosts" for different shells.
  • PowerShell: Use path powershell.exe.
  • WSL 2: Use path wsl.exe.
  • Git Bash: Point to the bash.exe inside your Git installation.