socat ☆

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Description:
SOcket CAT: netcat on steroids

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Networking

Tags: networking utilities tcp udp tunneling socket

Install: brew install socat

About:
Socat is a versatile command-line utility that establishes bidirectional data streams between two arbitrary endpoints. It functions as a powerful relay or gateway, capable of handling various socket types including TCP, UDP, and UNIX domain sockets. Its main value proposition lies in its ability to bridge disparate network services and facilitate complex data routing scenarios.

Key Features:

Bidirectional data transfer between two channels
Support for multiple protocols (TCP, UDP, SCTP, UNIX sockets)
Built-in SSL/TLS encryption and authentication
Port forwarding and redirection capabilities
Flexible address syntax for complex routing

Use Cases:

Port forwarding and network tunneling
Testing network services with simulated endpoints
File transfers over arbitrary protocols
Creating simple network servers for testing

Alternatives:

netcat – Socat is significantly more feature-rich and supports bidirectional streams, while netcat is simpler but limited in functionality
ncat – Ncat (from Nmap) offers similar features but socat has broader protocol support and more flexible address handling

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit
Dec 11, 2024 3:39pm		0	VERSION_BUMP	2229b602