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Ask Slashdot: Server Room Toolbox?

Posted by samzenpus on from the get-your-tools dept.

jandersen writes "I am the system manager in charge of a smallish server room (~50 servers, most in racks), and I am going to buy a set of tools; but first I want to hear what other people think would be a good idea. Certainly a range of good quality screwdrivers — slotted, Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx. But what else? Tape measure? Spirit level (for aligning the racks)? Any meters or cable testers? A wood lathe? I can probably get away with a budget of a few hundred GBP, but there ought to be some mileage in that."

12 of 416 comments (clear)

  1. Buy crap tools! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    All your good tools will be stolen, just buy the cheap stuff so noone wants to takem. Its better to have cheap tools then none at all. (Or you could nuy nice ones and lock them up and then pray you NEVER leave the tools box unlocked)

    1. Re:Buy crap tools! by DoctorFrog · · Score: 5, Funny

      Nah. Buy good tools, crap tools are an invitation to frustration.

      To avoid pilferage, paint them pink, and optionally add a little glitter as well.

  2. Hammer by jrumney · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't forget a good hammer for when all else fails.

  3. Angle grinder by jrumney · · Score: 5, Funny

    The dust thrown out by the wood lathe is a good idea for ensuring a constant turnover of hardware in your server room, but I find that dust that is conductive works even better, so I'd recommend an angle grinder over a wood lathe.

  4. A crowbar and a HEV suit by nicomede · · Score: 5, Funny

    always prove useful. And some ammo.

  5. Re:Seriously? by game+kid · · Score: 4, Funny

    Irrelevant. He's a server-room system manager, so that implies he's in wizard mode and not getting his score counted.

    --
    You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  6. For proper BOFH-Mode by AdeBaumann · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't forget:

    - a rubber hammer (for failing hard drives without visible traces)
    - a cattle prod (for failing "visitors" without visible traces)
    - a sledgehammer (for failing anything if you don't mind visible traces)
    - thermite (to get rid of visible traces)

    --
    I gave up sigs almost a year ago.
    1. Re:For proper BOFH-Mode by rvw · · Score: 5, Funny

      Don't forget:

      - a rubber hammer (for failing hard drives without visible traces)
      - a cattle prod (for failing "visitors" without visible traces)
      - a sledgehammer (for failing anything if you don't mind visible traces)
      - thermite (to get rid of visible traces)

      Take some network cables home, put them in a box with a bunch of mice, and use those cables to explain network failing whenever you screwed up elsewhere.

    2. Re:For proper BOFH-Mode by DamageLabs · · Score: 4, Funny

      You forgot the essential cable...

      No toolbox is complete without the etherkiller.

  7. Sonic screwdriver by jamesh · · Score: 4, Funny

    Definitely get a sonic screwdriver. Most shops don't carry them, and the ones that do are always out of stock whenever I ask for one, but I've seen them used before and they can do anything.

  8. Re:Sounds like you have no cue by Neil_Brown · · Score: 4, Funny

    Sounds like you have no cue

    I am unsure why you would recommend a cue as being a good tool for someone to possess when running a server room. Is it for asking users "have you ever been poked?" and then giving them a good jab? Or perhaps for turning on the lights or kettle when you cannot be bothered to get up from your desk?

  9. Re:a few hundred GBP by jandersen · · Score: 5, Funny

    You listed a lathe on a budget of a few hundred GBP?

    That one was a joke - it's something we are prone to in UK, sorry.

    I thought of suggesting a scythe, but that sounded kind of rural, so ..., well you know how it is.