If you test an open port with "nc -w <n> <host> <openport>" the timeout works and after the amount of time specified with "-w" option, nc will terminate; doing the same on a no exposed port, timeout wont take effect and nc will stay appended forever. Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): nc-1.100-3 How reproducible: 100% Steps to Reproduce: 1.Install nc 1.100-3 (yum install nc) 2. nc -w 2 <host> 65525 NOTE: It seems to be the same on Fc16 with nc-1.101-3.fc16.x86_64.rpm
The '-w' option in pre-1.103 versions is not about connection timeout. See nc(1) for details. This is 'fixed' in 1.103+ releases, available in Rawhide.