Date: 2009sep29 OS: Linux Language: bash Q. Can I use pure bash to read from a TCP/IP port? A. Yes, using /dev/tcp For example:

cat </dev/tcp/time.nist.gov/13

gives

55105 09-10-01 14:35:59 32 0 0 451.0 UTC(NIST) *

Wow. Tech Tip: TCP/IP Access Using bash http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/tech-tip-tcpip-access-using-bash Everything is a file!