I'm looking to assemble a "rescue kit" for our remote offices, which don't have any IT staff. The kit should include useful items for emergency situations involving our network hardware, like Cisco Catalyst switches and Meraki routers, as well as other infrastructure components such as UPSs and PDUs. We've encountered issues where offices went offline due to telecom failures or device issues, and we often depend on local staff to troubleshoot. I want to keep costs low while ensuring the kit contains practical tools that might help in an emergency. I'm thinking of items like console cables, a flash drive with utilities, spare SFPs, or even a Raspberry Pi for out-of-band access. Have any of you put together something similar? What tools would you recommend to help non-tech staff troubleshoot remote problems?
5 Answers
You might want to look into getting a Raspberry Pi with a cellular modem set up. That way, if they plug it in, you can connect through a VPN and troubleshoot the issue remotely. It’s super handy for diagnosing problems without needing to be on-site.
How about creating a mini rack inside a durable Pelican case? It would keep everything organized and secure while being portable. Plus, you can include essential items like cables and a backup router to ensure basic connectivity in case of emergencies.
Definitely consider adding a router with preloaded configurations. A Netgear router could give them basic internet access and networking capabilities. Throw in a couple of keyboards, a mouse, and some essential cables—this way they can quickly set something up if needed.
One thing to add is an Opengear device with LTE/5G support. It's great for maintaining a connection back to the HQ if the network goes down. Also, be sure to include a printed network configuration for easy reference.
Don't forget about a console/rollover cable and some portable hotspot options—like a 5G wireless router. It’s also helpful to have someone available via video call to walk local staff through any troubleshooting steps.
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