[ale] Linux technophile emergency tool kit

[Pete Hardie]

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> 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>  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
> 770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
> linuxdude AT techstarship.com
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