* This method is synchronized to ensure thread-safe connection initialization.
         *
         * @throws IOException If the connection cannot be established
         */
        @Override
        public synchronized void connect() throws IOException {
            if (connected) {
                return;
            }

         * This method is synchronized to ensure thread-safe connection initialization.
         *
         * @throws IOException If the connection cannot be established
         */
        @Override
        public synchronized void connect() throws IOException {
            if (connected) {
                return;
            }