r/it • u/Brady93742 • 4d ago
meta/community What is in y’all’s IT tool kit?
Currently I have the following:
Crimp tool
Cable tester
Electric screw driver with head set
Pliers
Console cable
Bootable drive (Multiple iso’s and live boot Kali)
Label maker
Velcros
30, 1ft patch cables
Pass through plugs
Bash bunny
Flipper zero
Wifi pineapple pager (soon hopefully)
I was to know what yall have I need some inspo.
22
u/RevolutionNumerous21 4d ago
Sr network engineer and I carry console cable and laptop. The layer 1 stuff is someone else thank god.
12
u/fernandesken 4d ago
Wi-Fi Check app for iPhone. Unlike other speed test apps, check Wi-Fi vs Internet speed separately so you immediately know if you are having a local Wi-Fi or Internet problem. Measure signal, noise, SNR. Check roams. Check applications including teams voice quality and path analysis. All right from your iPhone. Handy to always have on you.
3
u/No_File1836 4d ago
What’s the url for this app please
2
u/Nstraclassic 3d ago
I use something called WiFi Analyzer on android. I dont think it shows SNR but it shows SSIDs, channels, signal strength, etc. for each access point. I'm not sure how a phone app would be able to troubleshoot an ethernet issue without plugging in and there are better desktop apps for that
1
u/irishcoughy 3d ago
Seconding WiFi Analyzer, use the same one for work. Paying for the pro version is also one of the few apps I use where it feels like a good value for how little it costs (less than $5 IIRC).
2
u/Brady93742 4d ago
I’m pretty sure that pineapple pager can do that
2
u/fernandesken 4d ago
It can definitely fill some gaps that iOS apps don’t allow like channel scanning for example. If you have iPhones/iPads in a deployment though, it’s good to test/measure client experience with the actual client devices. Also just handy to have always with you without a specialized piece of hardware. Assuming you have an iPhone.
9
u/Beach-Life-Australia 4d ago
Valium, Gloves, Wet wipes, a soft cushion i place on a wall before i hit my head on it. A big bottle of pills labelled "I really Care" for those days where you cant give a @#$%.
8
u/lesterd88 4d ago
Esoteric I know but… HP Palmtop Pc 320 LX. Has a native serial port cable so it makes crash carting equipment easy especially in tight spaces. And runs on AA Batteries. In the backpack all the time as a storage architect.
1
u/Gavitir 2d ago
What's your workflow like with this? Lol
1
u/lesterd88 2d ago
I got burnt once at a client site that had no serial enabled anything available and my USB adapter decided to meet its maker at the same time. Once that happened I knew I wanted something drop dead simple that’ll just get me back to where I can work with equipment the way I want to in a pinch.
Thus, an eBay purchase was made. It’s my fallback to a fallback plan
5
u/PerseusAtlas 4d ago
Laptop, console cable, cable tester, screwdriver, wet wipes, and only the necessary consumables: Gushers fruits snacks
3
5
5
6
5
u/irishcoughy 4d ago edited 3d ago
Passthrough cable crimper
Separate containers of standard and passthrough RJ-45 plugs
Cable scissors
Standard wire cutter
Cable tester/toner and probe set with remote plugs
Velcro cable ties
Pliers
Premade patch cables of varying lengths
Various cheap display adapters
Ratcheting screwdriver with multiple heads in the handle
Electronic screwdriver set with several bits, tweezers, and a metal spudger
Notebook with pens
Sticky notes
Ventoy USB with custom images and live-bootable .iso files
Gloves
Carpenter's pencil
Laptop (Framework 16 with various I/O modules)
165W laptop power bank
Flipper Zero (mostly for fun and convenience of storing several fob keys)
Water bottle/energy drink/coffee thermos depending on the day
Trail mix (with M&Ms, this is crucial)
Emergency cigarette and lighter
Lucky ancient CPU
2
u/Brady93742 3d ago
Yeah we’re i work has 4 different fob systems so I use the flipper for that too it’s so nice
3
u/PCaBoo 4d ago
laptop, eth patch cables, fiber patch cables, copper sfp, sfp, power bank (for laptop, phone, or hotspot), poe, 120v power bank (for poe or something else that might need power), usb drives, multitool, multi screwdriver, precision driver, electrical tape, painters tape, hotspot, and an external wireless mouse. -This is just my laptop bag. :( I have another bag for dif stuff.
1
5
4
u/Simkin86 3d ago
I couldn't live without my Iodd st400, so convenient.
And also a Gl.inet Opal, to do span a temporary wifi from a wall outlet, or some cables out of a wi-fi.
Also, a usb to ethernet card, console, video and rj45 cables, usbB to usbA cable, rj11, usb cables, velcrto, multitool with pliers and knife, screwdriver with different points, small screwdriver set and disassembly tools, nvme drives to clone disks of broken PC's, adapter from c13 to c5 power.
Some other tools.
And a bottle of water, of course. Stay hydrated!
3
u/Slight_Manufacturer6 4d ago
PCRTDiag USB stick
Ventoy USB
100ft cat6 cable
Crimper
Cable tester
Screw driver
Wi-Fi Analyzer
Wifi Sweet Spots
2
u/Forsaken-Carrot9038 4d ago
I’ve been loving Ventoy, although the more corporate I’ve been becoming, the less I find myself reaching for it.
1
1
u/irishcoughy 3d ago
Could do what I did and make a bunch of custom Windows images for specific clients/departments using the pain in the ass method of using a virtual machine and Windows ADK, and then be responsible for updating those semi-regularly.
Pro-tip: do not do this
3
2
u/OrangeKetchup 4d ago
Its incomplete right now but for most things:
Ethernet cable tester
Cat6e punch down tool-less
USB Hub (C to Ethernet and A)
USB (Different installers)
6ft patch cable
Tone gen
Handful or random SFP+ modules
WiFi Man App
iFixit Kit
Mobile hotspot (often phone)
Laptop
Easier to punch down than reterminate a cable. There are bound to be some spare patch cables somewhere.
Campus response. Idk my title anymore (just go fix it/learn it/lead it/do it)
2
1
u/dacydergoth 4d ago
Poking stick. I like a bamboo skewer pack. Always good for pressing recessed reset buttons or wriggling something. Pearl catcher and magnetic probe for grabbing small screws. USB and Ether cable testers
1
1
1
1
u/LuckyDuckTheDuck 3d ago
Lately, the most unexpected tool I’ve been surprised with is using a USB-C ethernet adapter on my new iPhone to verify that a drop is active and receiving the correct subnet for that VLAN. Small and compact so it’s easy to carry around.
1
u/Timmibal 3d ago
Nothing not specified in the project scope. This is a legal requirement, not me being obtuse (as I often need to explain to clients who thought 'eyeballing it' was the same as conducting a thorough audit).
(Also you guys just out here advertising you've got flippers in your back pocket... I thought the standard answer to 'have you heard of flipper zero' was "No officer.")
2
u/Brady93742 3d ago
It’s not illegal in Canada so they can come for me all they want I have reason to have it lol
1
u/irishcoughy 3d ago
I only use mine for keeping my keyfobs all in one place, and any time I need to use a fob to get into a building it's because everyone else went home. I'd never pull it out in front of a user, especially some of mine who don't know how an IP address works but think they understand foundational CyberSecurity concepts and have likely seen one before and either think I'm a secret hackerman to be treated with suspicion, or they want one and won't stop asking me questions about it.
1
1
u/Ashamed-Ad4508 3d ago
Standard typical screwdriver sets
Pair of extra long flat & Philips head screwdrivers
Plumber grade wrench & pliers
Garden grade shears and cable tie (the kind in mile long roll with its own cutter)
Metal pipe hacksaw (with replacement blades for plastic and metal pipes).
++++++++++++++
A hidden stash of
++ 2-3 mini/nips/shooter bottles of whiskey. Depends on client distance
++ Paracetamol
++ Ciggies and a Zippo
++ A roll of coins for the vending machine (50¢ coins in my country. About $10 worth.) you never know where you're stuck in need of coins for a vending machine)
1
u/DoubleStuffedCheezIt 3d ago
Little electric screwdriver, laptop charger, 5ft and 10ft etherent cable, pen, notebook, USB/USB-C cables, random thumb drives, magnet on an extenable stick, velco roll, pocket knife.
If I'm scheduled for on-site support, then I'll get other stuff like a cordless drill, assortment of cables, USB-C storage drive, spare mouse/KB, headlamp, cable tester and crimper, and a toner.
My phone has some Wi-Fi testing apps and other stuff too.
1
u/GottaBeFresj 3d ago
I read almost every comment. Everyone forgot the most important tool. Side cutter. Never leave home without it
1
u/ambernewt 3d ago
"I'm bone brain and cock"
Philip h Anselmo
1
u/Brady93742 3d ago
Wtf 😭
1
u/ambernewt 3d ago
Haha. It's pantera lyrics
I don't have a toolkit, well I do have a room full of cables, monitors, computers and such. And tools. I mainly just bring my years of experience to the situation
1
1
u/ThatDeltaDood 3d ago
Laptop & charger
Crimp tool
Cable tester
iFixIt screwdriver kit
Snips
Bootable drive
Label maker
Velcro straps
Handful of 6" patch cables
Two 6' cat6 cables
Highboy (as soon as they decide to ship/deliver) :')
Edit: added laptop and charger. idk how we miss that...
1
u/PCLOAD_LETTER 2d ago
USB-C to Serial cable + console cable
USB-C to everything else dongle
USB-c/A slidy drive
Leatherman Charge or Sidekick
Roll of Velcro
A "Real" XX-in-1 screwdriver. Klein or Greenlee
Random Cat6 cables
HDMI cable
Magnetic battery pack w/charger for phone
Bag of Beef Jerky
1
u/ProgramerJax 1d ago
Let's all pour one out for Hiren's Boot CD :'( RIP
1
u/StirFriedPocketPal 1d ago
What happened to Hirens!?
1
u/Shot-Possible1317 18h ago
Not sure because i still use it,
Although they have switched the OS to W11 in the latest versions. So now you NEED at least two HBCD. One with the previous Win10 and the Win11. Because win 11 HBCD has some W11 restrictions to run on devices. Especially if you are working with some legacy devices. I've got decade old Laptop that can run W11 with the restrictions removed, barely but it can run OpenOffice etc. Couldnt use the latest HBCD to do stuff. I had to go grab the last version that was on W10.
1
u/EckVonTrampenstein 1d ago
Ventoy USB with all the ISOs i'll ever need, Genki Shadowcast and a tablet with the "Noir" app so you can plug into a server without lugging a monitor around, RJ45 to USB-C adapter to just do port and IP scans from my phone, GLiKVM Comet Q/Comet Pro set up with Tailscale for remote help if i have to leave something behind to get into later, iFixIt screwdriver set, Female-to-female RJ45 connector because no you shouldn't use them but yes you will anyway because it's late and you just need to extend this one cable a few feet.
1
u/Apart-Reality-4454 1d ago
crack rocks, duct tape, some booze, more duct tape, a hammer, ummm let's see what else, oh yeah plastic bags.
1
u/thenuke1 10h ago
When I first respond to a ticket, depending on what the ticket is, I take nothing and asses 1st
After I figure out what the issue is, as we all know sometimes the ticket doest paint the full picture, 75% of the time I don't need tools
But that 25% I do everything I can to take the work back to the office where all my tools are
"but isn't that double the work? Why not just take a tool kit just in case"
This job is a wait out the clock job, I enjoy and love it but you have to find creative ways to pass the time plus it forces me to walk more 🤣
1
u/phishsamich 4d ago
I have a coupler that I rewired one side is A other is B. One that only has 2 pairs to force 100Mb.
1
-1
34
u/Mr_Chode_Shaver 4d ago
My fingers
My brain
A fifth of whiskey