# ssh_check

Check SSH server connectivity and retrieve the server banner (SSH version string, e.g. 'SSH-2.0-OpenSSH_8.9'). Does not attempt authentication.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `ssh_check`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/ssh-check

## Facts

- Tool: `ssh_check`
- Server: Mcp Nettools (`aaronckj/mcp-nettools`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/aaronckj/mcp-nettools
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "ssh_check",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why ssh_check is rated Low

This tool queries remote SSH servers for version information and connectivity status. It performs passive reconnaissance—retrieving banner data is a read operation with no ability to modify, delete, execute code, or affect financial systems. The explicit statement that it 'does not attempt authentication' confirms no write or execute capabilities.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description explicitly states it 'Check[s] SSH server connectivity and retrieve[s] the server banner' and 'Does not attempt authentication.' The banner is metadata/informational data without side effects."

## Use case

AI agents call ssh_check to retrieve information from Mcp Nettools without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Mcp Nettools:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ssh_check": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Mcp Nettools (234)

- `http_delete` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/http-delete.md
- `check_mqtt` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-mqtt.md
- `check_rdp` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-rdp.md
- `http_post` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/http-post.md
- `ping` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/ping.md
- `port_scan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/port-scan.md
- `speedtest` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/speedtest.md
- `traceroute` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/traceroute.md
- `wake_on_lan` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/wake-on-lan.md
- `arp_table` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/arp-table.md
- `bgp_lookup` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/bgp-lookup.md
- `cert_check` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/cert-check.md
- `cert_check_bulk` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/cert-check-bulk.md
- `check_actual_budget` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-actual-budget.md
- `check_adguard` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-adguard.md
- `check_alertmanager` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-alertmanager.md
- `check_anythingllm` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-anythingllm.md
- `check_appwrite` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-appwrite.md
- `check_archivebox` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-archivebox.md
- `check_audiobookshelf` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-audiobookshelf.md
- `check_authelia` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-authelia.md
- `check_authentik` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-authentik.md
- `check_baikal` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-baikal.md
- `check_bazarr` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-bazarr.md
- `check_beszel` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-beszel.md
- `check_bitwarden` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-bitwarden.md
- `check_bookstack` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-bookstack.md
- `check_calibre_web` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-calibre-web.md
- `check_cassandra` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-cassandra.md
- `check_changedetection` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools/check-changedetection.md
- …and 204 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/aaronckj-mcp-nettools.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=aaronckj-mcp-nettools · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/aaronckj-mcp-nettools