So I actually just went to make a guide on this, demonstrating on my ubuntu 26.04 lab vps, and it appears the connect option is not there.

However on my 24.04 lab vps, it's there. Same with my local 22.04 systems (yes I know I have to upgrade lmao)

I went to cockpit docks and sure enough, the feature is deprecated :( Dang.

https://docs.cockpit-project.org/cockpit-guide/latest/guide/feature-machines.html

It was really cool though while it worked.