Traveling Network Hardware Care Package

I, and many others I know, have traveled all around for our careers. Whether I was a consultant or not, I’ve traveled locally or further away (via airline). Most of the time was to set up a new office, move an office, upgrade/renovate a data center or data room. For either reason, I need and used an assortment of hardware, which some cannot be brought on an airplane.

When traveling to a location via an airline, I’ve debated whether to check in all this supporting hardware or ship it to the location. Over the past ten years or more, I’ve been shipping to my destination ahead of time. This has worked great as I don’t have to check it in, less to carry around, and I reduce any issues with the airline’s requirements.

So, I highly recommend shipping any supported hardware ahead of time. Once I was done, I either dropped off the box at a local shipping carrier, or most Office Managers were accommodating to ship it back for me. Over the years, I’ve called this box of hardware a care package.

Recommended Hardware

Here I’ve listed hardware, parts, and tools that I recommend and have used at remote office or data center locations. Also, this list is what I keep in a bag in my car when I have to go to an office or data center locally.

I’ve included links to Amazon tools and parts as examples. You may already have these items, but, for example, if you have a better cable tester, there’s nothing wrong with that.

• Label Maker
  • Extra Label tapes
  • Batteries
  • Power Supply
• Roll of double-sided velcro
• Zip or cable ties
• Cable cutter
• Knife/razor knife
• Power Screw Driver
  • Another example
  • NOTE: I highly recommend a stick power driver as sometimes you may use it in tight spaces, for example, inside a cabinet or in between network hardware.
• Screwdriver set
  • Another example
  • NOTE: I recommend a set with interchangeable bits. A full screwdriver set (individual type/size) can be bulky and heavy, especially when traveling.
• Allen wrench set
• Hammer
• Permanent Markers (multiple-sized tips)
• Rack/Cabinet Screws (there are different sizes, but the following are common)
  • 10/32 Screws
  • 12/24 Screws
  • Cage Nuts & Screws
    • I have used these great and convenient, but I would use them with caution for large network or server hardware. Also, sometimes they don’t fit in a cabinet depending on how close together the hardware is. Rackstuds
• Flashlight
  • Another example
  • NOTE: Use a flashlight with a magnet (though don’t use it on network or server hardware). The magnet can be used inside a cabinet to hang from the top or side. This flashlight should have a side light or one that can be angled toward the work area. In the U.S., I get these at Harbor Freight.
• RJ45 Couplers
• Console Cable
  • Check my post about console port/cable options.

Optional Hardware but Recommended

RJ45 Crimp Tool

The following items are highly recommended, especially when traveling to faraway/remote locations.

I have an RJ45 cable termination kit in my bag for local work, but I also send it in the care package when I have to fly to a location. There are many cheap kits or tools available, which I have used in a pinch a couple of times, but I found they are still not worth the low cost.

For cable termination, two or three tools can be used, but an all-in-one tool makes it easier to ship or carry around. I highly recommend a crimper that supports pass-through.

Here is an example of an all-in-one crimp tool.

Cable Tester & Toner

One of the most helpful tools is a cable tester and toner (tracer). I’ve used the toning (tracer) option/tool as much as the tester option. There are many very cheap options, but I don’t recommend them. In my example below, this is not cheap but not the cheapest. Use a tool/kit that fits your needs, then budget. I have a $5K cable tester available, and I use it locally and ship it to sites for a project.

For example, a cable tester with toner.

Downloadable Excel List

Here is a downloadable list I created in Excel and have used when shipping tools and parts. Edit to your needs, and in the one tab, I included links as in the list above.

Click the link below to download the Excel list. If it does not download or prompts to download, right-click on the link and select “Save Link As.”

https://packetpassers.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Travel-Equipment-Care-Package.xlsx

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