diff --git a/test/README.md b/test/README.md
index 201332b..581949a 100644
--- a/test/README.md
+++ b/test/README.md
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ on a system, i.e. common utilities such as a shell are not included here.
 Example for Debian, and possibly most Debian-based distributions:
 
     build-essential git jq strace iperf3 qemu-system-x86 tmux sipcalc bc
-    clang-tidy cppcheck isc-dhcp-common psmisc linux-cpupower ncat
+    clang-tidy cppcheck isc-dhcp-common psmisc linux-cpupower socat
     netcat-openbsd fakeroot lz4 lm-sensors qemu-system-arm qemu-system-ppc
     qemu-system-misc qemu-system-x86 valgrind
 
diff --git a/test/demo/passt b/test/demo/passt
index c6c3bcc..59fe144 100644
--- a/test/demo/passt
+++ b/test/demo/passt
@@ -129,9 +129,9 @@ nl
 nl
 say	Let's try to communicate between host and guest.
 sleep	2
-guestb	nc -6 -l -p 5201
+guestb	socat TCP6-LISTEN:5201 STDIO
 sleep	2
-host	echo "Hello from the host" | nc -N ::1 5201
+host	echo "Hello from the host" | socat -u STDIN TCP6:[::1]:5201
 sleep	5
 
 nl
@@ -142,9 +142,9 @@ say	   the address of the default gateway.
 sleep	2
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 sleep	5
-hostb	nc -l -p 31337
+hostb	socat TCP4-LISTEN:31337 STDIO
 sleep	2
-guest	echo "Hello from the guest" | nc -N __GW__ 31337
+guest	echo "Hello from the guest" | socat -u STDIN TCP4:__GW__:31337
 sleep	3
 
 nl
diff --git a/test/demo/pasta b/test/demo/pasta
index 342671f..8337c83 100644
--- a/test/demo/pasta
+++ b/test/demo/pasta
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ nl
 say	  pasta detects bound ports and forwards them.
 sleep	3
 
-nsb	ncat -6 -l ::1 31337
+nsb	socat TCP6-LISTEN:31337,bind=[::1] STDOUT
 sleep	2
-host	echo "Hello from the host" | ncat ::1 31337
+host	echo "Hello from the host" | socat -u STDIN TCP6:[::1]:31337
 sleep	5
 
 nl
@@ -109,9 +109,9 @@ say	Now the other way around...
 nl
 say	  we can use a loopback address
 sleep	2
-hostb	ncat -l ::1 31337
+hostb	socat TCP6-LISTEN:31337,bind=[::1] STDIO
 sleep	2
-ns	echo "Hello from the namespace" | ncat ::1 31337
+ns	echo "Hello from the namespace" | socat -u STDIN TCP6:[::1]:31337
 sleep	5
 
 nl
@@ -119,9 +119,9 @@ say	  or the address of the default gateway.
 sleep	2
 nsout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 sleep	5
-hostb	ncat -l 0.0.0.0 31337
+hostb	socat TCP4-LISTEN:31337 STDIO
 sleep	2
-ns	echo "Hello from the namespace" | ncat __GW__ 31337
+ns	echo "Hello from the namespace" | socat -u STDIN TCP4:__GW__:31337
 sleep	3
 
 nl
diff --git a/test/passt.mbuto b/test/passt.mbuto
index c515a0c..8b41674 100755
--- a/test/passt.mbuto
+++ b/test/passt.mbuto
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 
 PROGS="${PROGS:-ash,dash,bash ip mount ls insmod mkdir ln cat chmod lsmod
        modprobe find grep mknod mv rm umount jq iperf3 dhclient hostname
-       sed tr chown sipcalc cut md5sum nc dd strace ping tail killall sleep
+       sed tr chown sipcalc cut md5sum socat dd strace ping tail killall sleep
        sysctl nproc tcp_rr tcp_crr udp_rr which tee seq bc}"
 
 KMODS="${KMODS:- virtio_net virtio_pci}"
diff --git a/test/tcp/passt b/test/tcp/passt
index 4baa610..6e65137 100644
--- a/test/tcp/passt
+++ b/test/tcp/passt
@@ -11,75 +11,75 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-gtools	nc ip jq cat md5sum cut
-htools	dd nc ip jq cat md5sum cut
+gtools	socat ip jq md5sum cut
+htools	dd socat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to guest: big transfer
 temp	TEMP_BIG
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001,reuseaddr OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
 host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1M count=10 > __TEMP_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to host: big transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1,reuseaddr OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to guest: small transfer
 temp	TEMP_SMALL
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001,reuseaddr OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
 host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=1 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to host: small transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1,reuseaddr OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 sleep	1
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to guest: big transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001,reuseaddr OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
 sleep	1
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to host: big transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1],reuseaddr OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 gout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 gout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to guest: small transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001,reuseaddr OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
 sleep	1
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to host: small transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1],reuseaddr OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 sleep	1
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" ]
diff --git a/test/tcp/passt_in_ns b/test/tcp/passt_in_ns
index 2a11e0b..ab22485 100644
--- a/test/tcp/passt_in_ns
+++ b/test/tcp/passt_in_ns
@@ -11,15 +11,15 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-gtools	nc ip jq cat md5sum cut
-htools	dd nc ip jq cat md5sum cut
-nstools	nc ip jq cat md5sum cut
+gtools	socat ip jq md5sum cut
+htools	dd socat ip jq md5sum cut
+nstools	socat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to guest: big transfer
 temp	TEMP_BIG
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
-host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1M count=10 > __TEMP_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
+host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1M count=10 of=__TEMP_BIG__
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -27,63 +27,63 @@ check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to ns: big transfer
 temp	TEMP_NS_BIG
-nsb	nc -4 -l 10002 > __TEMP_NS_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to host: big transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to ns: big transfer
-nsb	nc -4 -l 10002 > __TEMP_BIG__
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP4:__GW__:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (spliced): big transfer
 sleep	1
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap): big transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to guest (using loopback address): big transfer
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to guest (using namespace address): big transfer
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
 nsout	ADDR ip -j -4 addr show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.ifname == "__IFNAME__").addr_info[0].local'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N __ADDR__ 10001
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:__ADDR__:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to guest: small transfer
 temp	TEMP_SMALL
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=100 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=100 of=__TEMP_SMALL__
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -91,171 +91,171 @@ check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to ns: small transfer
 temp	TEMP_NS_SMALL
-nsb	nc -4 -l 10002 > __TEMP_NS_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to host: small transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest to ns: small transfer
-nsb	nc -4 -l 10002 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW__ 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP4:__GW__:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (spliced): small transfer
 sleep	1
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap): small transfer
-hostb	nc -4 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N __GW__ 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to guest (using loopback address): small transfer
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to guest (using namespace address): small transfer
-guestb	nc -4 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N __ADDR__ 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:__ADDR__:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to guest: big transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to ns: big transfer
-nsb	nc -6 -l 10002 > __TEMP_NS_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | nc -N ::1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to host: big transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 gout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 gout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to ns: big transfer
-nsb	nc -6 -l 10002 > __TEMP_BIG__
-guest	cat test_big.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_big.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (spliced): big transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N ::1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap): big transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to guest (using loopback address): big transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to guest (using namespace address): big transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_big.bin
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_big.bin,create,trunc
 nsout	ADDR6 ip -j -6 addr show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.ifname == "__IFNAME__").addr_info[0].local'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | nc -N __ADDR6__ 10001
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[__ADDR6__]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_BIG md5sum test_big.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to guest: small transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to ns: small transfer
-nsb	nc -6 -l 10002 > __TEMP_NS_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | nc -N ::1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to host: small transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 gout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 gout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest to ns: small transfer
-nsb	nc -6 -l 10002 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-guest	cat test_small.bin | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test_small.bin TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (spliced): small transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N ::1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap): small transfer
-hostb	nc -6 -l 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to guest (using loopback address): small transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N ::1 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to guest (using namespace address): small transfer
-guestb	nc -6 -l 10001 > test_small.bin
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | nc -N __ADDR6__ 10001
+guestb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:test_small.bin,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[__ADDR6__]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5_SMALL md5sum test_small.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
diff --git a/test/tcp/pasta b/test/tcp/pasta
index 068393a..0d6c729 100644
--- a/test/tcp/pasta
+++ b/test/tcp/pasta
@@ -11,31 +11,31 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-htools	dd ncat ip jq cat md5sum cut
-nstools	ncat ip jq cat md5sum cut
+htools	dd socat ip jq md5sum cut
+nstools	socat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to ns: big transfer
 temp	TEMP_BIG
 temp	TEMP_NS_BIG
-nsb	ncat -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10002 > __TEMP_NS_BIG__
-host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1M count=10 > __TEMP_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | ncat 127.0.0.1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002,bind=127.0.0.1 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__,create,trunc
+host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1M count=10 of=__TEMP_BIG__
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (spliced): big transfer
-hostb	ncat -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | ncat 127.0.0.1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap): big transfer
-hostb	ncat -4 -l 0.0.0.0 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 nsout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | ncat __GW__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
@@ -43,50 +43,50 @@ check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 test	TCP/IPv4: host to ns: small transfer
 temp	TEMP_SMALL
 temp	TEMP_NS_SMALL
-nsb	ncat -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10002 > __TEMP_NS_SMALL__
-host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=1 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | ncat 127.0.0.1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10002,bind=127.0.0.1 OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__,create,trunc
+host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=1 of=__TEMP_SMALL__
+host	socat OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (spliced): small transfer
-hostb	ncat -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | ncat 127.0.0.1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap): small transfer
-hostb	ncat -4 -l 0.0.0.0 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
+hostb	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
 nsout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | ncat __GW__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to ns: big transfer
-nsb	ncat -6 -l ::1 10002 > __TEMP_NS_BIG__
-host	cat __TEMP_BIG__ | ncat ::1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002,bind=[::1] OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__,create,trunc
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (spliced): big transfer
-hostb	ncat -6 -l ::1 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | ncat ::1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1] OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 nsw
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap): big transfer
-hostb	ncat -6 -l :: 10003 > __TEMP_BIG__
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_BIG__,create,trunc
 nsout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_BIG__ | ncat __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_BIG__ TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_BIG md5sum __TEMP_BIG__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
@@ -94,24 +94,24 @@ check	[ "__HOST_MD5_BIG__" = "__MD5_BIG__" ]
 test	TCP/IPv6: host to ns: small transfer
 temp	TEMP_SMALL
 temp	TEMP_NS_SMALL
-nsb	ncat -6 -l ::1 10002 > __TEMP_NS_SMALL__
-host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=1 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-host	cat __TEMP_SMALL__ | ncat ::1 10002
+nsb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10002,bind=[::1] OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__,create,trunc
+host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=2k count=1 of=__TEMP_SMALL__
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (spliced): small transfer
-hostb	ncat -6 -l ::1 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | ncat ::1 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1] OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap): small transfer
-hostb	ncat -6 -l :: 10003 > __TEMP_SMALL__
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS_SMALL__ | ncat __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+hostb	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10003 OPEN:__TEMP_SMALL__,create,trunc
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS_SMALL__ TCP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5_SMALL md5sum __TEMP_SMALL__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5_SMALL__" = "__MD5_SMALL__" ]
diff --git a/test/two_guests/basic b/test/two_guests/basic
index 850a27b..cf0b975 100644
--- a/test/two_guests/basic
+++ b/test/two_guests/basic
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-g1tools	ip jq dhclient nc cat
-g2tools	ip jq dhclient nc cat
-htools	ip jq cat md5sum cut
+g1tools	ip jq dhclient socat cat
+g2tools	ip jq dhclient socat cat
+htools	ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	Interface names
 g1out	IFNAME1 ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
@@ -46,8 +46,8 @@ check	[ "__ADDR2_6__" = "__HOST_ADDR6__" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv4: guest 1 > guest 2
 g1out	GW1 ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest2b	nc -4 -l 10004 > msg
-guest1	echo "Hello_from_guest_1" | nc -N __GW1__ 10004
+guest2b	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10004 OPEN:msg,create,trunc
+guest1	echo "Hello_from_guest_1" | socat -u STDIN TCP4:__GW1__:10004
 guest2w
 sleep	1
 g2out	MSG2 cat msg
@@ -55,24 +55,24 @@ check	[ "__MSG2__" = "Hello_from_guest_1" ]
 
 test	TCP/IPv6: guest 2 > guest 1
 g2out	GW2_6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest1b	nc -6 -l 10001 > msg
-guest2	echo "Hello_from_guest_2" | nc -N __GW2_6__%__IFNAME2__ 10001
+guest1b	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:msg,create,trunc
+guest2	echo "Hello_from_guest_2" | socat -u STDIN TCP6:[__GW2_6__%__IFNAME2__]:10001
 guest1w
 sleep	1
 g1out	MSG1 cat msg
 check	[ "__MSG1__" = "Hello_from_guest_2" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: guest 1 > guest 2
-guest2b	nc -u -W1 -4 -l 10004 > msg
-guest1	echo "Hello_from_guest_1" | nc -u -q1 __GW1__ 10004
+guest2b	socat -u TCP4-LISTEN:10004 OPEN:msg,create,trunc
+guest1	echo "Hello_from_guest_1" | socat -u STDIN TCP4:__GW1__:10004
 guest2w
 sleep	1
 g2out	MSG2 cat msg
 check	[ "__MSG2__" = "Hello_from_guest_1" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: guest 2 > guest 1
-guest1b	nc -u -W1 -6 -l 10001 > msg
-guest2	echo "Hello_from_guest_2" | nc -u -q1 -N __GW2_6__%__IFNAME2__ 10001
+guest1b	socat -u TCP6-LISTEN:10001 OPEN:msg,create,trunc
+guest2	echo "Hello_from_guest_2" | socat -u STDIN TCP6:[__GW2_6__%__IFNAME2__]:10001
 guest1w
 sleep	1
 g1out	MSG1 cat msg
diff --git a/test/udp/passt b/test/udp/passt
index 9598d0e..ee575e0 100644
--- a/test/udp/passt
+++ b/test/udp/passt
@@ -11,15 +11,15 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-gtools	nc tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
-htools	printf dd nc tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+gtools	socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+htools	printf dd socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: host to guest
 temp	TEMP
-temp	NC_PID
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10001 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+temp	SC_PID
+guestb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1k count=5 > __TEMP__ && printf "\nEND_OF_TEST\n" >> __TEMP__
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -27,27 +27,27 @@ check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__HOST_MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: guest to host
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__HOST_MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: host to guest
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
+guestb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
 sleep	1
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N ::1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__HOST_MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: guest to host
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1] STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 gout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 gout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__HOST_MD5__" ]
diff --git a/test/udp/passt_in_ns b/test/udp/passt_in_ns
index 3607251..3536298 100644
--- a/test/udp/passt_in_ns
+++ b/test/udp/passt_in_ns
@@ -11,16 +11,16 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-gtools	nc tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
-nstools	nc tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
-htools	printf dd nc tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+gtools	socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+nstools	socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+htools	printf dd socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: host to guest
 temp	TEMP
-temp	NC_PID
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pic) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pic))
+temp	SC_PID
+guestb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
 host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1k count=5 > __TEMP__ && printf "\nEND_OF_TEST\n" >> __TEMP__
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 hout	MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -29,25 +29,25 @@ check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 test	UDP/IPv4: host to ns
 temp	TEMP_NS
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N 127.0.0.1 10002
+nsb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10002 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5 md5sum __TEMP_NS__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: guest to host
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 gout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: guest to ns
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW__ 10002
+nsb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10002 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP4:__GW__:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
@@ -55,97 +55,97 @@ check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to host (recvmmsg/sendmmsg)
 sleep	1
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N 127.0.0.1 10003
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N __GW__ 10003
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to guest (using loopback address)
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N 127.0.0.1 10001
+guestb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to guest (using namespace address)
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -4 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
+guestb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
 nsout	ADDR ip -j -4 addr show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.ifname == "__IFNAME__").addr_info[0].local'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N __ADDR__ 10001
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:__ADDR__:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: host to guest
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N ::1 10001
+guestb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: host to ns
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-host	cat __TEMP__ | nc -u -q1 -N ::1 10002
+nsb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10002 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 nsout	NS_MD5 md5sum __TEMP_NS__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__NS_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: guest to host
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 gout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 gout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: guest to ns
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-guest	cat test.bin | nc -u -q1 -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10002
+nsb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10002 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+guest	socat -u OPEN:test.bin UDP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10002
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to host (recvmmsg/sendmmsg)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N ::1 10003
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __SC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __SC_PID__))
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to guest (using loopback address)
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N ::1 10001
+guestb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[::1]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to guest (using namespace address)
-guestb	(nc -u -q1 -6 -l 10001 & echo $! > nc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat nc.pid))
+guestb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10001 STDOUT & echo $! > sc.pid) | tee test.bin | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat sc.pid))
 nsout	ADDR6 ip -j -6 addr show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.ifname == "__IFNAME__").addr_info[0].local'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | nc -u -q1 -N __ADDR6__ 10001
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[__ADDR6__]:10001
 guestw
 gout	GUEST_MD5 md5sum test.bin | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__GUEST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
diff --git a/test/udp/pasta b/test/udp/pasta
index a7e5015..43e0513 100644
--- a/test/udp/pasta
+++ b/test/udp/pasta
@@ -11,18 +11,18 @@
 # Copyright (c) 2021 Red Hat GmbH
 # Author: Stefano Brivio <sbrivio@redhat.com>
 
-nstools	ncat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
-htools	printf dd ncat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+nstools	socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
+htools	printf dd socat tee grep cat ip jq md5sum cut
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: host to ns
 temp	TEMP
 temp	TEMP_NS
 temp	NC_PID
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(ncat -u -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+nsb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10002,bind=127.0.0.1 STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
 host	dd if=/dev/urandom bs=1k count=5 > __TEMP__ && printf "\nEND_OF_TEST\n" >> __TEMP__
 
-host	cat __TEMP__ | ncat -u 127.0.0.1 10002
+host	socat OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5 md5sum __TEMP_NS__ | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -30,26 +30,26 @@ check	[ "__NS_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to host (recvmmsg/sendmmsg)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(ncat -u -4 -l 127.0.0.1 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003,bind=127.0.0.1 STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
 sleep	1
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | ncat -u 127.0.0.1 10003
+ns	socat OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:127.0.0.1:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv4: ns to host (via tap)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(ncat -u -4 -l 0.0.0.0 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP4-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
 nsout	GW ip -j -4 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | ncat -u __GW__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP4:__GW__:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: host to ns
 ns	:> __TEMP_NS__
-nsb	(ncat -u -6 -l ::1 10002 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
-host	cat __TEMP__ | ncat -u ::1 10002
+nsb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10002,bind=[::1] STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP_NS__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+host	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP__ UDP6:[::1]:10002
 nsw
 hout	MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 nsout	NS_MD5 md5sum __TEMP_NS__ | cut -d' ' -f1
@@ -57,9 +57,9 @@ check	[ "__NS_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to host (recvmmsg/sendmmsg)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(ncat -u -6 -l ::1 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003,bind=[::1] STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
 sleep	1
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | ncat -u ::1 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[::1]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]
@@ -67,10 +67,10 @@ nsw
 
 test	UDP/IPv6: ns to host (via tap)
 host	:> __TEMP__
-hostb	(ncat -u -6 -l :: 10003 & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
+hostb	(socat -u UDP6-LISTEN:10003 STDOUT & echo $! > __NC_PID__) | tee __TEMP__ | (grep -qm1 "END_OF_TEST" && kill $(cat __NC_PID__))
 nsout	GW6 ip -j -6 route show|jq -rM '.[] | select(.dst == "default").gateway'
 nsout	IFNAME ip -j link show | jq -rM '.[] | select(.link_type == "ether").ifname'
-ns	cat __TEMP_NS__ | ncat -u __GW6__%__IFNAME__ 10003
+ns	socat -u OPEN:__TEMP_NS__ UDP6:[__GW6__%__IFNAME__]:10003
 hostw
 hout	HOST_MD5 md5sum __TEMP__ | cut -d' ' -f1
 check	[ "__HOST_MD5__" = "__MD5__" ]