nc -q 1 b 22?
 

I read of this
ProxyCommand ssh b nc -q 1 b 22
within an ssh config file

I am curious what "b 22" does?

I know that -q 1 is about exiting "-q seconds after EOF is detected, wait the specified number of seconds and then quit." and one can probably do without it.

Also, out of interest, where is a man page online that has -q? I see
http://linux.die.net/man/1/nc
doesn't have it

as per the manpage, b would be the destination, and 22 would be the port number.

is that manpage online, do you have a link?

Google .. man nc ..

nc(1) http://www.manpagez.com/man/1/nc/

http://pwet.fr/man/linux/commandes/nc