IT Tech toolkit

what about scissors?
you got scissors?

how about deodorant because you fucking stink sometimes?

headset so you can talk on jabber/skype/etc?

Asset labels.

 

https://www.datadepot.com.au/netsco...DVj-z8ObVBxPl0We5J2phiNX_N2_lVeoaAmTqEALw_wcB

I use one of these. Love it.

 

Consider:
- modem,
- router/switch,
- PSU Tester,
- magnifying headset,
- needle nose and bent needle nose pliers (these are far more handy than just the long nose),
- magnet on a stick,
- white work surface (could be A4 pages 5-6),
- spare cables (USB to USB, DVI, HDMI, VGA, DP, PSU, etc, etc.)

 

My tinsnips double as scissors, but if I needed actual paper cutting scissors to do something neatly there will be some in the office I'm at.
We don't really do asset labels.
Deodorant is in the glovebox of my car.
And yes I do have a headset, logitech H800. Forgot that as well because it was on my head.. Also forgot to mention the magnet on a stick, but that's because I stuck to my shed wall the other day after fishing up a bolt I dropped into my quad.

 

console cable / rollover cable (various types - I remember reading something about how APC have specific ones and it made the ups go nuts or something)

USB-rs232
USB-parallel
usb-ethernet (or relevant vendor dongle) for the lightweight laptops without ethernet ports

 

one thing I didn't see mentioned, I have a Zalman 2.5" HDD enclosure (I put an SSD in it) which has the ability to mount any ISOs on the HDD like a virtual CD drive, I find this to be really quite handy if I ever need to boot anything

edit: link -> http://www.zalman.com/contents/products/view.html?no=20

 

Yes, it is NOT a normal serial port and a "normal" pinout cable will cause it to power cycle. Fun times APC.

 

For some workstation set-ups this guy has a great set-up and the gear is linked below the video (some of it could be used for onsite work);

 

Flashlight or headband flashlight

 

cowboy boots with spurs

 

dude..


every IT tech on my staff is an NBN Enabled qual'd IT tech.


I'm happy to send you to Mt Isa tomorrow ( btw - we need techs in this region ) though we can't risk our relationship with NBN if you are IT provider and encounter a situation where you need to fix a cabling problem on their network that you cannot correct.


( dear fucking god - why does this keep happening )


All IT peeps working in the field should be NBN Certed by now so that they *can* fix the problems they encounter... if at least keep the customer moving in a forward direction.


Telstra is dead/dying, and it's now just an NBN IT Comms issue if things aren't working. It's up to the customer to keep their network running.

 

Too true, this happens even when said "network" is telecom mdf, cabling and pits in my case.

More on topic since we no longer do anything network at work my toolkit has become a usb drive, and a phillips head screwdriver if I need to move a monitor.

 

I have a 128GB USB stick that does the same.

 

To go along with the USB drive suggestions, one or a few of them with a Linux Live image on them. Granted I'm more thinking if you need to recover some files or have an OS that will not boot properly.

 

As in a normal 128GB USB stick.... or one that has a Virtual ODD function built in?

 

https://www.pontikis.net/blog/easily-create-bootable-usb-with-multiple-iso-images

or plain old grub

https://www.pendrivelinux.com/boot-multiple-iso-from-usb-via-grub2-using-linux/

 

I carry a whole bunch of stuff mentioned here plus:

5-6 of these in various flavours:
https://www.fs.com/au/c/os2-9-125-single-mode-duplex-897

At $/Hr rate, its cheaper for me to just replace suspect fibres rather than cleaning.

A visual fibre tester for tracing unlabeled fibres.
https://www.fs.com/au/products/35389.html
Once again, its like $20, so I have a few.

Plus a range of one-click's in various flavours.

FWDM Filters for saving yo ass when you lose a link.

A hand full of various Optical attenuators for padding down 10Km and 40Km SFP's or just pissing people off.

 

I'm okay with teaching young IT enthusiasts how to pull apart the issues that come with UEFI PC customers, and correct it back so that we can help them better in the future for the likely data recovery

I'm okay with helping young IT enthusiasts diagnose NBN HFC faults for customers

I'm okay with helping young IT enthusiasts diagnose FTTN ( VDSL1 and 2 ) faults for customers

I'm okay with helping young IT enthusiasts diagnose FTTB faults for customers

I'm okay with helping young IT enthusiasts diagnose FTTP faults for customers

I'm okay with helping young IT enthusiasts diagnose ADSL1 and 2 faults for customers

I'll be okay with helping young IT enthusiasts to learn to learn to diagnose FTTC faults - I'm learning that tech as well atm myself.




What I am *not* okay with?


Being saddled with someone's kid by management, and losing good staff who I need to build the brand we're all working for as a result. This also includes having to stay quiet as bad hires occur during the hiring process.


I am tired of being asked to make rule exemptions for self-assured son/daughters/niece/nephew/friends that kill off an otherwise tranquil workplace environments be it there here in my state, others, or as a part of a national operation.

Some of us work tirelessly to provide a workplace for our good people - and this situation simply kills the brand and everything that we work for.

 

How are you finding it now that you aren't doing the network side? What do you cover now trevor68?
I'd like to carry less kit.

 

This looks handy for the finer detailed jobs:
https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_...sion+Screwdriver+Set+with+Magnetic+Driver+Kit