[ale] Linux technophile emergency tool kit

Ron Frazier (ALE) atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com
Tue May 28 23:25:36 EDT 2013


John,

Thanks for the compliment.  PS, I don't actually OWN all that stuff.  Glad to help where I can though.

Sincerely,

Ron


John Pilman <jcpilman at gmail.com> wrote:

>I don't go on many emergency calls, but if I have to, I'm bringing Ron.
>
>...John
>On May 28, 2013 3:51 PM, "Pete Hardie" <pete.hardie at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> That's why it's necessary to establish a baseline that makes it seem
>like
>> you never mentioned <X> with intent ever, but always in a humorous
>manner
>>
>> Pete Hardie
>> --------
>> Better Living Through Bitmaps
>>
>>
>> On Tue, May 28, 2013 at 3:39 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) <
>> atllinuxenthinfo at techstarship.com> wrote:
>>
>>> **
>>> 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>
>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.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> Ale mailing list
>>>>>>> Ale at ale.org
>>>>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>>>>>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>>>>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> (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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Ale mailing list
>>>>> Ale at ale.org
>>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>>>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>   --
>>>> Jay Lozier
>>>> jslozier at gmail.com
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Ale mailing list
>>>> Ale at ale.org
>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists at
>>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Ale mailing listAle at ale.orghttp://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
>>> See JOBS, ANNOUNCE and SCHOOLS lists
>athttp://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> (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 Frazier770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
>>> linuxdude AT techstarship.com
>>> Litecoin: LZzAJu9rZEWzALxDhAHnWLRvybVAVgwTh3
>>> Bitcoin: 15s3aLVsxm8EuQvT8gUDw3RWqvuY9hPGUU
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
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>>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>>
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
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>> http://mail.ale.org/mailman/listinfo
>>
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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--

Sent from my Android Acer A500 tablet with bluetooth keyboard and K-9 Mail.
Please excuse my potential brevity if I'm typing on the touch screen.

(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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