<div dir="ltr"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>coffee. it can a) keep me moderately alert and b) can be poured into a system to really kill it so the cheapskate has to buy a decent system with a chance of running long enough for the check to clear the bank.<br>
<br></div>flashlight - I can't see any more<br></div>spare pair of reading glasses - um, yeah<br></div>zip ties - multiple sizes<br></div>cables and adapters - everything to everything - serial to vga to usb to scsi to cat6 to sata to sas to CF to ATA to infiniband to fiber channel<br>
</div>black duct tape - insulation and general "stay putness".<br></div>crimpers for coax, cat5/6,<br></div>ends for everything I have crimpers for, male and female<br></div>walkie-talkies and spare batteries<br>
</div>collection of odd cable testing gear (direct testers, loopbacks, converters, etc)<br></div>basic voltmeter<br></div>fox and hound set(s) (including the oldest one - an AM/FM radio with alligator clips plugged into the headphone jack and a headphone set with alligator clips)<br>
</div>multiple rolls of colored tape<br></div>multiple Sharpies in various sizes, black and silver.<br></div>diagonal snips<br></div>cable strippers<br></div><div>punch-down tool(s)<br></div>soldering iron, solder, flux and cleaning pad (this is a crisis when in use!)<br>
</div>fish-tape, pull string, push rods (glow in the dark!) 3' long drill bits - wood and masonry, AC power drill<br></div>box of cat5e riser cable<br></div>4' step ladder<br><br></div>Current DVDs of CentOS, Fedora, live CentOS, live Fedora, Fedora Forensics Spin, and BartsPE with f-prot<br>
</div>small notebook and 2 ballpoint pens<br></div><div>blank CD, DVD<br></div><div><br></div>Laptop with charger, extension cord and long network cable.<br></div>ATA, SATA drive to USB adapter<br></div>USB to serial<br></div>
USB to parallel<br></div>PCCard SCSI and dongle, SCSI tape drive and 2 empty tapes (upgrade to SAS is more $$ than I care to spend)<br></div>external USB 2.5" drive (100GB - encrypted)<br></div>cell phone with charging/tethering cable (camera good for making small text larger!)<br>
<br><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>hip flask for hard drive head crash and to steady the hands after far too much caffeine ;-}<br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:09 PM, Pete Hardie <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pete.hardie@gmail.com" target="_blank">pete.hardie@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Also, C4...if all else fails, C4<br>
<br>:)<span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br></font></span></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><br clear="all"><div>Pete Hardie<br>
--------<br>Better Living Through Bitmaps</div></font></span><div><div class="h5">
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:atllinuxenthinfo@techstarship.com" target="_blank">atllinuxenthinfo@techstarship.com</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">(PS thanks to those who answered my moving the home folder question. I hope to be reviewing those more thoroughly shortly.)<br>
<br>
The question about what to take along on a maintenance trip was very open ended, so the answer will be too. As JD said, it depends. On: what systems you're working on, how much you can carry, customs regulations crossing borders, how old the equipment is, privacy concerns when the customs agents check your stuff, if you're flying or driving or going on a boat, how you get paid for the spare parts, etc. Here are some things which come to mind off the top of my head.<br>
<br>
If I had the choice, I'd think like a plumber. What I mean by that is that a good plumbing or electrical company will have the rep drive up in a van equipped with almost everything they could need. They almost carry their own store. You have to be reasonable, of course. Try to diagnose the problem as much as possible before hand and take parts appropriate. Here are some random things that come to mind if you could really take everything you want. As a practical matter, you might have to fit it all in one or two suitcases. These are in semi random order with just a bit of categorization. I used to work on flight simulators for Delta, so some of this comes from a bit of a big iron perspective.<br>
<br>
BASIC DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMATION TOOLS<br>
* laptop and / or tablet computer, perhaps a ruggedized unit<br>
* domain specific software<br>
* domain specific technical manuals and schematics, AND CONFIGURATION DATA<br>
* diagnostic software for pc's, vending machines, cash registers, whatever you're working on<br>
* appropriate probes, cables, and adapters to connect your laptop or tablet to the equipment in question<br>
* power supplies, batteries, and travel adapters required to run your equipment.<br>
* spare batteries for everything that has a battery if batteries are replaceable - laptop, tablet, cell phone, flashlight, power screwdriver, everything<br>
* chargers for everything that has a rechargeable battery, and OH YES, precharge the batteries before the trip<br>
* upgrading and repairing pc's is a great book of general info<br>
* how remote are you - do you need a battery and inverter to power your laptop, do you need a gas generator if the site power is out<br>
* durable travel cases to carry AND PROTECT all this stuff, hard shell foam padded cases are great<br>
* external cd - dvd - floppy - zip - etc. to attache to your machine<br>
* usb - serial adapter (as mentioned previously)<br>
* terminal device or emulator<br>
<br>
COMMUNICATIONS<br>
* contact data for all key people you need<br>
* world band cell phone, if applicable, with a pre established roaming agreement<br>
* make sure the cell carrier has coverage where you're going<br>
* world band cellular wifi modem / router with an appropriately large data plan for downloading iso's, drivers, etc.<br>
* walkie talkies for working with associate(s)<br>
<br>
SOFTWARE TOOLS<br>
* For software tools, you cannot assume that all equipment can boot USB or DVD. You should be prepared with memory sticks, cd's, and floppy's too. For memory sticks, get one that can be set to read only in case it's inserted into a contaminated pc.<br>
* ultimate boot cd<br>
* spinrite<br>
* backup software - I used to like Acronis but now I may switch to Terabyte Unlimited, etc.<br>
* software tools already mentioned by others<br>
* boot media for various linux's - mint, ubuntu, fedora, suse, whatever<br>
* perhaps boot media for windows (various flavors), mac, cisco, whatever<br>
* stand alone boot media for anti virus software (various flavors)<br>
<br>
HARDWARE TOOLS<br>
* General purpose technician's tool sets available from Jensen Tools, etc. More money = better selection.<br>
* Domain specific tool sets are available as well, for example telecom.<br>
* various types and sizes of screwdrivers, including things like torx and micro sizes<br>
* various types and sizes of nut drivers<br>
* metric and english socket wrenches up to about 1", more if needed<br>
* hex wrenches<br>
* various types of pliers including cutting instruments<br>
* various adjustable wrenches including small ones<br>
* small cordless screwdriver<br>
* flashlight<br>
* tape measure<br>
* anti static strap<br>
* tag out lock out supplies - It's critical that someone else doesn't turn on equipment that you're working on. At the very least, you should put signs on power switches and breakers indicating that work is in progress. A better approach is to put a padlock on the switch and keep the key. Put a sign on it that says who is working on it and where you are.<br>
* multimeter, domain specific test equipment<br>
* cable testers, telephone line testers, etc.<br>
* if applicable, high voltage test equipment and protective gear AND TRAINING<br>
* general and domain specific hardware like screws, other fasteners, thumbscrews, grommits, etc.<br>
* tywraps - so you can leave the equipment neat<br>
* mini vacuum cleaner<br>
* other cleaning supplies - microfiber cloths, paper towels, compressed air can, monitor / glass cleaner, etc.<br>
* garbage bags to put your trash and wire clippings, and dirty towels in, etc.<br>
* cable crimpers and spare parts like connectors, pins, etc.<br>
* lighted magnifying glass(es)<br>
* note pads - take notes when taking things apart<br>
* digital camera, memory cards, card reader - photograph things before taking them apart<br>
* rolling travel cart or collapsible wagon so you can haul all this stuff around<br>
<br>
HUMAN ACCESSORIES<br>
* lightweight leather work gloves for the more mechanical aspects of the equipment<br>
* protective gloves and other gear if working with dangerous chemicals, etc. (certain cleaners, fire suppression systems, etc.)<br>
* grungy clothing and / or disposable coveralls (great for working on hydraulics, yuck!)<br>
* knee pads<br>
* folding chair, folding table (in case you're stuck in an equipment room with no work area)<br>
<br>
LOGISTICS<br>
* addresses and directions to work locations<br>
* gps with power adapter, battery, and world map<br>
* permits, training, access badges, key codes, door keys<br>
* passport<br>
* methods, supplies, tools, agreements to account for your time and money and bill the customer<br>
* plane tickets, car and hotel reservations, budget, money<br>
<br>
SPARE PARTS - think building a unit from scratch<br>
* domain specific hot spares (cash registers, cable boxes, etc.) are best<br>
* cases<br>
* power supplies - various types, various connectors<br>
* motherboards - various types, sizes<br>
* memory chips - various types<br>
* cpu's - various types<br>
* cpu coolers - various types<br>
* case fans - various types<br>
* video cards - various types, including OLD motherboard connector styles<br>
* modem cards - if applicable<br>
* port cards - if applicable<br>
* sound cards - if applicable<br>
* keyboards - including DIN, ps2, usb connectors<br>
* mice - including serial, ps2, usb connectors<br>
* monitors / display panels - including vga, dvi, display port, hdmi connectors / adapters, dvi - vga adapters are handy<br>
* speakers<br>
* wifi adapters<br>
* lan adapters<br>
* hdd adapters - pata, sata, scsi<br>
* cd / dvd drives - pata, sata, scsi<br>
* floppy drives<br>
* hdd's - 5", 3.5", 2.5", mounting screws, adapter trays, scsi, pata, sata, scsi terminators<br>
* blank storage media - cr-r, cd-rw, dvd-r, dvd-rw, for optical media - remember the +r -r thing, large and small size and density floppy disks<br>
* printers, usb - parallel adapters<br>
* lan hubs<br>
* lan switches<br>
* lan routers<br>
* lan wifi routers<br>
* cable modems<br>
* dsl modems<br>
* telephone modems<br>
<br>
CABLES, CABLES, CABLES<br>
* usb A, B, mini, micro, adapters<br>
* gender changers - various types<br>
* scsi, scsi terminators<br>
* lan utp<br>
* lan coax, and terminators<br>
* sata<br>
* pata<br>
* esata<br>
* serial, adapters<br>
* parallel<br>
* vga, display port, hdmi regular, mini, micro<br>
* power - appliance power cables, long extension cords, multi outlet adapters, travel power adapters, transformers, wall warts, power strips, surge protectors<br>
* optical<br>
* telephone<br>
<br>
Well, that should get you started. 8-)<br>
<br>
Again, the needs depend on the mission.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Ron<br>
<br>
<br>
On 5/28/2013 10:17 AM, Chuck Payne wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
For any admin today, you should carry the following. Think of it as<br>
your towel and tooth brush.<br>
<br>
A bootable usb drive with your fav distro and tools to fix any anything.<br>
<br>
Knoppix Disk, GParted Live, Ghost for Linux, Clonezilla.<br>
<br>
A small tool set.<br>
<br>
USB Cables for phone.<br>
<br>
On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:36 AM, JD<<a href="mailto:jdp@algoloma.com" target="_blank">jdp@algoloma.com</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
Not enough time to cover everything, but after the trip last month #1 is a<br>
usb-2-serial cable. Aaron ended up soldering a cable together after buying 2<br>
other cables with the appropriate connectors. I have a photo and it worked<br>
perfectly on linux.<br>
<br>
Clearly it depends on the type of work performed and the location. Network,<br>
server, desktop and programing tasks all need different toolset s.<br>
<br>
On the current trip, a stronger external charging battery for smart phones<br>
is top for the 11 hr flights. Besides that, this trip has gone perfectly<br>
tech-wise with smartphone and netbook + normal power cables and travel WiFi<br>
router.<br>
<br>
Might add a travel Bluetooth keyboard next time. Typing longish emails on a<br>
virtual keyboard in the airport lounge sucks.<br>
<br>
Autocorrect sucks.<br>
<br>
<br>
Jim Kinney<<a href="mailto:jim.kinney@gmail.com" target="_blank">jim.kinney@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
So you're heading to a remote location to do some technical work. You<br>
don't know the area so a dash to your fav parts store is not an option.<br>
What do you pack in your kit for a 2 hour drive away, 10 hour drive away,<br>
3 hour flight away, out of the country trip, etc.<br>
<br>
Software....<br>
Hardware...<br>
Tools....<br>
Misc....<br>
<br>
This may turn into a meeting topic.<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
--<br>
Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.<br>
<br>
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</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
-- <br>
<br>
(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to<br>
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mailing lists and such. I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)<br>
<br>
Ron Frazier<br>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>-- <br>James P. Kinney III<br><i><i><i><i><br></i></i></i></i>Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail. What you
gain at one end you lose at the other. It's like feeding a dog on his
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- Speech 11/23/1900 Mark Twain<br><i><i><i><i><br><a href="http://electjimkinney.org" target="_blank">http://electjimkinney.org</a><br><a href="http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/</a><br>
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