bluez-simple-agent
Pair Bluetooth devices easily
SYNOPSIS
bluez-simple-agent [options] hci_device address
PARAMETERS
hci_device
The Bluetooth device (e.g., hci0) to use. If not specified, uses the default device.
address
The Bluetooth address of the remote device to pair with.
DESCRIPTION
The bluez-simple-agent command is a utility, usually run from a script, used for handling Bluetooth pairing requests in a BlueZ environment. It automates the pairing process by responding to pairing requests and authorization prompts without user intervention. This is particularly useful in embedded systems, automated setups, or scenarios where user interaction is not desirable or possible. It essentially acts as a 'yes' man for all pairing requests. It does not provide advanced security features or PIN entry, relying on the underlying Bluetooth security mechanisms.
This command is generally discouraged for use in production, public environments. The command is deprecated and should not be used for new implementations. The bt-agent is a better alternative.
CAVEATS
This command is inherently insecure, as it automatically accepts all pairing requests. It should only be used in trusted environments or for testing purposes. bluez-simple-agent is deprecated and might be removed in future BlueZ releases.
SECURITY IMPLICATIONS
Using bluez-simple-agent poses significant security risks. As it blindly accepts all pairing requests, a malicious device could potentially gain unauthorized access to your system. Avoid using it in untrusted environments.
ALTERNATIVES
Consider using bt-agent or implementing custom pairing logic with more robust security measures (e.g., PIN entry, confirmation prompts) instead of bluez-simple-agent.
HISTORY
bluez-simple-agent was initially created as a basic, easy-to-use tool for simplifying Bluetooth pairing in controlled environments. Its simplicity made it popular for testing and automated deployments. However, its lack of security features led to its eventual deprecation in favor of more secure alternatives.
SEE ALSO
bluetoothd(8), hciconfig(8), hcitool(1)