Sysadmin Site Kit
A toolbox for your organization, to supplement the basic toolbox:
Hand Tools
- Cordless screwdriver/drill plus spare batteries and charger
- Flashlight(s) and spare batteries for same
- Allen wrench sets (metric and English)
- Pliers and snips set (needlenose pliers, wire snips, flush cutters, etc.)
- Jeweler's/technician's screwdriver set
- Interchangeable bit sets (allen, phillips, flat, torque, etc.)
- Multi-handles for bits (screwdriver, wrench, ratchet)
- Full-size screwdriver set (standard 1–4 phillips and flat)
- Nut drivers and hex bits (especially in your rackmount size)
Saving the Day Extras
- Small digital camera, good enough to do the job, but not fancy enough to disappear
- Soldering kit
- Multimeter and probes
- Extensible grabber for retrieving small parts (in a pinch, use a chopstick or telescoping antenna, with silly putty or blue tack)
Joy of Cabling
- RJ45 and fiber cable/signal tester
- Crimp tool for RJ-type connectors, plus lots of connectors
- Tone generator (for tracing)
- Portable labeler
- Cable management (velcro bands or cable ties)
Roving Network Debugging
- RJ45 patch cable
- RJ45 crossover patch cable
- Mini-hub switch
- Small, simple router
- Cisco console cable
- Serial null modem cable
Data Center Extras
- Ammeter/wattmeter
- Hearing protectors
- Utility step ladder, staircase type)
- Serial console on a cart (older laptops work well)
- KVM on a cart
- Cage nut tool
Big Bag of Adaptor Tricks (color-code or label these for easy rummaging without having to peer at the ends)
- DB9/RJ45 adapter
- DB-25/RJ-45 adapter
- DB9 cable (both ends)
- DB25 cable (both ends)
- DB9 gender adapter
- DB25 gender adapter
- DB9 to DB25 cable
- USB to DB9 adapter
Of course, there are always more things, and your site may have special needs. Check out the FAQ for more ideas, tweak this list to meet your needs, and send us your feedback.
|
