[ale] Linux technophile emergency tool kit

Ron Frazier (ALE) atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com
Tue May 28 13:00:49 EDT 2013


(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>  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>  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
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linuxdude AT techstarship.com
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