Good tool for testing socket connections? [closed]

Question

I'm writing a tcp/ip client and I would need a "test server" to be able to test easily. It should listen on a configurable port, show me when a client connects and what the client sent, allow me to manually enter text to send to the client. It should work on Windows.

Normally I would have use the simple but powerfull nc.exe (alias "Netcat" available as well on Unix as on Windows) but the antivirus detects it as an "hacker tool" so that my system administrator doesn't want me to use it at work.

Does anyone use another tool to test socket connections and is happy with it?

Answer 1

netcat (nc.exe) is the right tool. I have a feeling that any tool that does what you want it to do will have exactly the same problem with your antivirus software. Just flag this program as "OK" in your antivirus software (how you do this will depend on what type of antivirus software you use).

Of course you will also need to configure your sysadmin to accept that you're not trying to do anything illegal...

Answer 2

Try Wireshark or WebScarab second is better for interpolating data into the exchange (not sure Wireshark even can). Anyway, one of them should be able to help you out.