---
name: "tentacle_client"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pandorafms-agent"
version: "6.0-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/tentacle_client"
---

# tentacle\_client(1)

a client file transfer protocol

## NAME

tentacle\_client - a client file transfer protocol

## SYNOPSIS

**tentacle\_client** \<options\> **Tentacle** is a client/server file transfer protocol that aims to be:

| | |
| --- | --- |
| - | Executable programs or shell commands |
| - | System calls (functions provided by the kernel) |
| - | Library calls (functions within program libraries) |

Tentacle was created to replace more complex tools like SCP and FTP for simple file transfer/retrieval, and switch from authentication mechanisms like .netrc, interactive logins and SSH keys to X.509 certificates. Simple password authentication over a SSL secured connection is supported too.

The client and server (TCP port 41121) are designed to be run from the command line or called from a shell script, and no configuration files are needed.

Tentacle is now the default file transfer method for Pandora FMS and Babel Enterprise.

Tentacle is implemented in Perl and ANSI C (Windows platforms included).

You can download it and get more information at the official Sourceforge website http://tentacled.sourceforge.net/.

## OPTIONS

Tentacle Client options : \
 **-a** *address* **:** Server address (default 127.0.0.1).\
 **-c :** Enable SSL without a client certificate.\
 **-e** *cert* **:** OpenSSL certificate file. Enables SSL.\
 **-f** *ca* **:** Verify that the peer certificate is signed by a ca.\
 **-g :** Get files from the server.\
 **-h :** Show help.\
 **-k** *key* **:** OpenSSL private key file.\
 **-p** *port* **:** Server port (default 41121).\
 **-q :** Quiet. Do now print error messages.\
 **-r** *number* **:** Number of retries for network operations (default 3).\
 **-t** *time* **:** Time-out for network operations in seconds (default 1s).\
 **-v :** Be verbose.\
 **-w :** Prompt for OpenSSL private key password.\
 **-x** *pwd* **:** Server password.\

## EXAMPLES

- **tentacle\_client -a** *192.168.1.1* **-v** */bin/bash*

  Simple file transfer with maximum file size set to 1MB

- **tentacle\_client -a** *192.168.1.1* **-x** *password* **-v** */bin/bash*

  Simple file transfer with password authentication (not secure)

- **tentacle\_client -a** *192.168.1.1* **-x** *password* **-e** *cert.pem* **-k** *key.pem* **-v** */bin/bash*

  Secure file transfer with client certificate and password authentication

## NOTES

Tentacle requires Perl 5.8 or higher to works

## SEE ALSO

tentacle\_server(1), pandora\_server(1), [pandora\_agent(1)](/pandora_agent/1.md)