Backpack

ntTo carry your arsenal of IT goodness a backpack is in order. I use a Swiss Army pack that can be picked up at a local retailer for around $50-70. It has adjustable straps and is large enough for your laptop and all of your gear plus your tablet of choice.

Serial to USB

ntAs laptops evolved over the years one of the items that didn’t make the design cut was the serial port. To overcome this, many IT departments keep an old laptop lying around just for configuring switches, routers, and firewalls. I carry this keyspan serial to usb converter and it seems to do the job fine.

USB drive

ntJust about everyone today carries a USB drive with them. This is a 32GB Sandisk that has encryption software for things you don’t want others to see. The large capacity means plenty of storage space for drivers, anti-malware utilities, even entire operating systems.

Toolkit

ntA screwdriver is an absolute must, and until laptops, servers, switches and racks all use the same screw, a multidriver is required. This kit is perfect for mobility as it’s only about 6u201dx4u201d and less than an inch thick.

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ntOther tools not pictured

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• nttCables- I don’t go crazy with these but I do carry an ethernet cable and a small variety of USB cables.

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• nttNotepad and pencil- tried and true and always useful.

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• nttDropbox or Box.net– you can keep files there and access them anywhere with an internet connection. Also perfect for sending links for others to download patches and hotfixes.

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• nttNinite– this one-stop-shop for common downloads is the best thing since sliced bread; in one download you can get antivirus, iTunes, OpenOffice, and a host of other free utilities.

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Rubber bands

ntI always keep a handful of rubber bands in my kit to keep things organized and many times the rubber band has been the most important tool I carry. How’s that you ask? How many times have you been replacing a hard disk in a server only to find the head of the screw is stripping? The fix? Place a wide rubber band between the screwdriver and the screw —  and the rubber band will fill in the stripped area. Try it and you can thank me later.

Rubber band "tool" in action

Portable Apps

ntThe most popular comment, posted by rindi1 is Portable Apps. An excellent suite of applications you can carry on that USB drive I told you about.

CyberTool

ntTechRepublic commenter, tristanhood shared his choice of all-in-one toolkit with the CyberTool, definitely a great choice for the backpack pocket.

Telescoping magnet

ntJfrange added in a telescoping magnet for picking up that server screw that fell behind your server rack.

Zip ties

ntHow could I forget possibly the greatest invention in the last 100 years?

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Bent paper clip

ntPlus one other diminutive office supply hero. If you’ve ever needed to retrieve a stuck cd or had to hard reset many devices you’ve turned your desk upside down looking for one of these.

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ntOther items not pictured but worth mentioning:

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• nttLinux boot disk. Many different options here.

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• nttCarabiners

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• nttDedicated flashlight rather than app

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• nttAnti-static strap

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• nttConsole cable

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• nttHemostats

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• nttZiploc bags

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• nttCanned Air

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• nttDuct Tape

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ntStill other readers came up with their own homemade tools, like this one from Ron:

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nttWay back when, working my way through college installing air conditioning and heating systems (this is pre-computers), I had to run thermostat wires in some awfully tight locations. I found a 6-foot length of beaded chain, to drop down inside walls invaluable!! Now I carry it to fish cables up from behind desks, etc. Just a cheap hunk of chain with an alligator clip on the end.

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ntWhat have we missed?