I spent a bit of time tonight exploring NetConf using openssh and a notepad. Per RFC 6242, you initiate a NetConf session to router r1 (user ‘lab’) as follows:
ssh lab@r1 -p 830 -s netconf
And a handy reminder for those of you using JUNOS, you can get the XML-RPC equivalent of any command by piping the command to “| display xml rpc”
lab@R1> show chassis hardware detail | display xml rpc
xml
<rpc-reply xmlns:junos="http://xml.juniper.net/junos/12.1X46/junos">
<rpc>
<get-chassis-inventory>
<detail/>
</get-chassis-inventory>
</rpc>
<cli>
<banner></banner>
</cli>
</rpc-reply>