[ale] Linux technophile emergency tool kit

Ron Frazier (ALE) atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com
Tue May 28 15:39:17 EDT 2013


You guys know the NSA reads all our messages, right?  Actually, I hear 
that they read all of everybody's messages.

Ron


On 5/28/2013 2:13 PM, Dennis Ruzeski wrote:
> I keep a small toolkit (Don't forget the static wristband), an 
> external hard drive, and my preferred distro for this kind of work is 
> Backtrack. If you haven't checked it out you should.
>
> FYI- I prefer thermite to explosives. You can't recover data from a 
> puddle.
>
> --Dennis
>
>
>
>
> On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 2:01 PM, Jay Lozier <jslozier at gmail.com 
> <mailto:jslozier at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>     Nah,
>
>     nitrogylcerine good boom and good for the heart too
>
>     :)
>
>     On Tue, 28 May 2013 13:09:19 -0400, Pete Hardie
>     <pete.hardie at gmail.com <mailto:pete.hardie at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>         Also, C4...if all else fails, C4
>
>         :)
>
>         Pete Hardie
>         --------
>         Better Living Through Bitmaps
>
>
>         On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE)
>         <atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com
>         <mailto:atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com>> wrote:
>
>             (PS thanks to those who answered my moving the home folder
>             question.  I hope to be reviewing those more thoroughly
>             shortly.)
>
>             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.
>
>             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.
>
>             BASIC DIAGNOSTIC AND INFORMATION TOOLS
>             * laptop and / or tablet computer, perhaps a ruggedized unit
>             * domain specific software
>             * domain specific technical manuals and schematics, AND
>             CONFIGURATION DATA
>             * diagnostic software for pc's, vending machines, cash
>             registers, whatever you're working on
>             * appropriate probes, cables, and adapters to connect your
>             laptop or tablet to the equipment in question
>             * power supplies, batteries, and travel adapters required
>             to run your equipment.
>             * spare batteries for everything that has a battery if
>             batteries are replaceable - laptop, tablet, cell phone,
>             flashlight, power screwdriver, everything
>             * chargers for everything that has a rechargeable battery,
>             and OH YES, precharge the batteries before the trip
>             * upgrading and repairing pc's is a great book of general info
>             * 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
>             * durable travel cases to carry AND PROTECT all this
>             stuff, hard shell foam padded cases are great
>             * external cd - dvd - floppy - zip - etc. to attache to
>             your machine
>             * usb - serial adapter (as mentioned previously)
>             * terminal device or emulator
>
>             COMMUNICATIONS
>             * contact data for all key people you need
>             * world band cell phone, if applicable, with a pre
>             established roaming agreement
>             * make sure the cell carrier has coverage where you're going
>             * world band cellular wifi modem / router with an
>             appropriately large data plan for downloading iso's,
>             drivers, etc.
>             * walkie talkies for working with associate(s)
>
>             SOFTWARE TOOLS
>             * 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.
>             * ultimate boot cd
>             * spinrite
>             * backup software - I used to like Acronis but now I may
>             switch to Terabyte Unlimited, etc.
>             * software tools already mentioned by others
>             * boot media for various linux's - mint, ubuntu, fedora,
>             suse, whatever
>             * perhaps boot media for windows (various flavors), mac,
>             cisco, whatever
>             * stand alone boot media for anti virus software (various
>             flavors)
>
>             HARDWARE TOOLS
>             * General purpose technician's tool sets available from
>             Jensen Tools, etc.  More money = better selection.
>             * Domain specific tool sets are available as well, for
>             example telecom.
>             * various types and sizes of screwdrivers, including
>             things like torx and micro sizes
>             * various types and sizes of nut drivers
>             * metric and english socket wrenches up to about 1", more
>             if needed
>             * hex wrenches
>             * various types of pliers including cutting instruments
>             * various adjustable wrenches including small ones
>             * small cordless screwdriver
>             * flashlight
>             * tape measure
>             * anti static strap
>             * 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.
>             * multimeter, domain specific test equipment
>             * cable testers, telephone line testers, etc.
>             * if applicable, high voltage test equipment and
>             protective gear AND TRAINING
>             * general and domain specific hardware like screws, other
>             fasteners, thumbscrews, grommits, etc.
>             * tywraps - so you can leave the equipment neat
>             * mini vacuum cleaner
>             * other cleaning supplies - microfiber cloths, paper
>             towels, compressed air can, monitor / glass cleaner, etc.
>             * garbage bags to put your trash and wire clippings, and
>             dirty towels in, etc.
>             * cable crimpers and spare parts like connectors, pins, etc.
>             * lighted magnifying glass(es)
>             * note pads - take notes when taking things apart
>             * digital camera, memory cards, card reader - photograph
>             things before taking them apart
>             * rolling travel cart or collapsible wagon so you can haul
>             all this stuff around
>
>             HUMAN ACCESSORIES
>             * lightweight leather work gloves for the more mechanical
>             aspects of the equipment
>             * protective gloves and other gear if working with
>             dangerous chemicals, etc. (certain cleaners, fire
>             suppression systems, etc.)
>             * grungy clothing and / or disposable coveralls (great for
>             working on hydraulics, yuck!)
>             * knee pads
>             * folding chair, folding table (in case you're stuck in an
>             equipment room with no work area)
>
>             LOGISTICS
>             * addresses and directions to work locations
>             * gps with power adapter, battery, and world map
>             * permits, training, access badges, key codes, door keys
>             * passport
>             * methods, supplies, tools, agreements to account for your
>             time and money and bill the customer
>             * plane tickets, car and hotel reservations, budget, money
>
>             SPARE PARTS - think building a unit from scratch
>             * domain specific hot spares (cash registers, cable boxes,
>             etc.) are best
>             * cases
>             * power supplies - various types, various connectors
>             * motherboards - various types, sizes
>             * memory chips - various types
>             * cpu's - various types
>             * cpu coolers - various types
>             * case fans - various types
>             * video cards - various types, including OLD motherboard
>             connector styles
>             * modem cards - if applicable
>             * port cards - if applicable
>             * sound cards - if applicable
>             * keyboards - including DIN, ps2, usb connectors
>             * mice - including serial, ps2, usb connectors
>             * monitors / display panels - including vga, dvi, display
>             port, hdmi connectors / adapters, dvi - vga adapters are handy
>             * speakers
>             * wifi adapters
>             * lan adapters
>             * hdd adapters - pata, sata, scsi
>             * cd / dvd drives - pata, sata, scsi
>             * floppy drives
>             * hdd's - 5", 3.5", 2.5", mounting screws, adapter trays,
>             scsi, pata, sata, scsi terminators
>             * 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
>             * printers, usb - parallel adapters
>             * lan hubs
>             * lan switches
>             * lan routers
>             * lan wifi routers
>             * cable modems
>             * dsl modems
>             * telephone modems
>
>             CABLES, CABLES, CABLES
>             * usb A, B, mini, micro, adapters
>             * gender changers - various types
>             * scsi, scsi terminators
>             * lan utp
>             * lan coax, and terminators
>             * sata
>             * pata
>             * esata
>             * serial, adapters
>             * parallel
>             * vga, display port, hdmi regular, mini, micro
>             * power - appliance power cables, long extension cords,
>             multi outlet adapters, travel power adapters,
>             transformers, wall warts, power strips, surge protectors
>             * optical
>             * telephone
>
>             Well, that should get you started.  8-)
>
>             Again, the needs depend on the mission.
>
>             Sincerely,
>
>             Ron
>
>
>             On 5/28/2013 10:17 AM, Chuck Payne wrote:
>
>                 For any admin today, you should carry the following.
>                 Think of it as
>                 your towel and tooth brush.
>
>                 A bootable usb drive with your fav distro and tools to
>                 fix any anything.
>
>                 Knoppix Disk, GParted Live, Ghost for Linux, Clonezilla.
>
>                 A small tool set.
>
>                 USB Cables for phone.
>
>                 On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:36 AM, JD<jdp at algoloma.com
>                 <mailto:jdp at algoloma.com>>  wrote:
>
>                     Not enough time to cover everything, but after the
>                     trip last month #1 is a
>                     usb-2-serial cable. Aaron ended up soldering a
>                     cable together after buying 2
>                     other cables with the appropriate connectors. I
>                     have a photo and it worked
>                     perfectly on linux.
>
>                     Clearly it depends on the type of work performed
>                     and the location. Network,
>                     server, desktop and programing tasks all need
>                     different toolset s.
>
>                     On the current trip, a stronger external charging
>                     battery for smart phones
>                     is top for the 11 hr flights. Besides that, this
>                     trip has gone perfectly
>                     tech-wise with smartphone and netbook + normal
>                     power cables and travel WiFi
>                     router.
>
>                     Might add a travel Bluetooth keyboard next time.
>                     Typing longish emails on a
>                     virtual keyboard in the airport lounge sucks.
>
>                     Autocorrect sucks.
>
>
>                     Jim Kinney<jim.kinney at gmail.com
>                     <mailto:jim.kinney at gmail.com>>  wrote:
>
>                         So you're heading to a remote location to do
>                         some technical work. You
>                         don't know the area so a dash to your fav
>                         parts store is not an option.
>                         What do you pack in your kit for a 2 hour
>                         drive away, 10 hour drive away,
>                         3 hour flight away, out of the country trip, etc.
>
>                         Software....
>                         Hardware...
>                         Tools....
>                         Misc....
>
>                         This may turn into a meeting topic.
>
>
>                     --
>                     Sent from my Android phone with K-9 Mail. Please
>                     excuse my brevity.
>
>                     _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>             -- 
>
>             (PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you
>             might want to
>             call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from
>             alternate energy
>             mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email
>             messages very quickly.)
>
>             Ron Frazier
>             770-205-9422 <tel:770-205-9422> (O)   Leave a message.
>             linuxdude AT techstarship.com <http://techstarship.com>
>             Litecoin: LZzAJu9rZEWzALxDhAHnWLRvybVAVgwTh3
>             Bitcoin: 15s3aLVsxm8EuQvT8gUDw3RWqvuY9hPGUU
>
>             _______________________________________________
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>             See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>             http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>
>
>
>
>
>     -- 
>     Jay Lozier
>     jslozier at gmail.com <mailto:jslozier at gmail.com>
>
>     _______________________________________________
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>
>
>
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>    

-- 

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
Litecoin: LZzAJu9rZEWzALxDhAHnWLRvybVAVgwTh3
Bitcoin: 15s3aLVsxm8EuQvT8gUDw3RWqvuY9hPGUU

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