Overview
NetAssist, often called the NetAssist app, is a lightweight TCP/IP network debugging tool for Windows.
It helps IoT developers simulate client-server communication, test TCP/UDP data flow, and verify device responses.
⚡ Portable and free — no .NET framework or installation required.
How to Download and Run
You can find reliable versions on trusted software sites or GitHub.
Once downloaded:
# Example workflow
1. Launch NetAssist.exe
2. Select mode: TCP Server / TCP Client / UDP
3. Enter the target IP and Port
4. Send test packets or listen for data
💡 Tip: Open two instances of NetAssist to test two-way TCP communication on a local machine.
Key Features
- Works with IPv4/IPv6 protocols
- Supports TCP/UDP client-server modes
- ASCII↔HEX conversion for raw data analysis
- Checksum auto-calculation and UTF-8 support
- Supports scripted send, auto-reply, and file transmission
IoT Debugging Use Cases
- Testing IoT modules before cloud integration
- Sending control commands to smart devices
- Simulating protocols (Modbus, JT/T808, IEEE754)
- Monitoring data reliability in edge-to-cloud communication
NetAssist vs Other Tools
| Feature | NetAssist | Hercules | Docklight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Portable | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Auto Checksum | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Script Send | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
Summary
NetAssist is a must-have debugging utility for anyone working with IoT, embedded systems, or networked devices.
It’s fast, portable, and handles both TCP and UDP with zero setup.
If you want to go further:
