The compute node software described in this document functions as the main correlator backend application on the compute nodes. For that reason, this application needs to have an interface that is accessible by the head node processes, while, simultaneously, there must be a human accessible interactive interface for diagnostic, development and testing purposes and to provide control during the period before the head node software is available. To achieve these goals, the input stage process contains an integrated socket based control and monitoring interface, and a command line application has been developed that is able to communicate over this interface with the input stage process in a relatively user-friendly manner.