def shell_channel(self):
        """Get the REQ socket channel object to make requests of the kernel."""
        if self._shell_channel is None:
            self._shell_channel = self.shell_channel_class(self.context,
                                                         self.session,
                                                         (self.ip, self.shell_port))
        return self._shell_channel
Get the REQ socket channel object to make requests of the kernel.