[ale] Linux technophile emergency tool kit

Tue May 28 14:13:49 EDT 2013

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> 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>
> 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> 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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>>
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>
>
>
>
> --
> Jay Lozier
> jslozier at gmail.com
>
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