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Solve the following problem using Python, implementing the functions described below, one line at a time
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Description:
 def connect(self, port: str = None, options: Any = None):
 """ Connect to the robot hardware. This function is provided for backwards compatibility. In most cases it need not be called. Calls to this method should be replaced with calls to :py:meth:`.ProtocolContext.connect` (notice the difference in arguments) if necessary; however, since the context of protocols executed by an OT2 is automatically connected to either the hardware or a simulator (depending on whether the protocol is being simulated or run) this should be unnecessary. :param port: The port to connect to the smoothie board or the magic string ``"Virtual Smoothie"``, which will initialize and connect to a simulator :param options: Ignored. """

        self._hardware.connect(port)