What tools should every sysadmin use that no one's heard of? [closed]
iPerf
Iperf helps you run tests that measure maximum TCP and UDP bandwidth performance. It allows the tuning of various parameters and UDP characteristics reporting bandwidth, delay jitter, datagram loss: http://openmaniak.com/iperf.php,And
MTR
MTR (My Trace Route) is also a pretty good tool. It combines the functionality of the 'traceroute' and 'ping' programs in a single network diagnostic tool. Like traceroute except it gives more network quality and network diagnostic info. Leave running to get real time stats. Reports best and worst round trip times in milliseconds... It shows latency, jitter (average/best/worst): http://www.bitwizard.nl/mtr/
use:
mtr server.domain.com (or IP)
- Add more fields with "O", type "LDRS NBAW V JMXI" and hit ENTER
- Type "n" to toggle DNS Off/On
alt text http://locobox.googlepages.com/mtrsavedw.jpg
Paperclips: I've had to use paperclips to pick the locks on the front of a sun and dell server We've all used them to open a cd rom
HotPlug This thing is awesome. Want to move a server to the next rack over without turning it off? http://www.wiebetech.com/products/HotPlug.php
Blocks of wood The idiot before you not mount the server properly? The server too old to have rack mounts? Blocks of wood are your friend. It's ghetto, but works.
A bent paper clip to pop open a CD drive.
Sysstat / Sar - superb historic monitoring for servers.
Network/CPU/Memory/IO/etc/etc brilliant if you need to examine why a machine went down.
For example load averages between 6am and 7am this morning:
hcooper@localhost:~$ sar -q -s 06:00:00 -e 07:30:00
Linux 2.4.27-3-686 (localhost) 06/06/09
06:05:01 runq-sz plist-sz ldavg-1 ldavg-5 ldavg-15
06:15:01 2 200 0.00 0.05 0.04
06:25:01 4 199 0.01 0.05 0.04
06:35:02 0 208 1.74 1.39 0.79
06:45:01 1 201 0.12 0.52 0.70
06:55:02 1 197 0.04 0.14 0.40
07:05:01 2 203 0.13 0.10 0.24
07:15:01 2 200 0.00 0.05 0.15
07:25:01 2 200 0.01 0.04 0.08
Average: 2 201 0.26 0.29 0.30
A Paper Bag: To breathe into when you discover that the SQL script you wrote wasn't actually mashing up the test database after all. Oh, and your backup system crashes and now you have to wait on the phone with tech support because you don't have a support contract.
Origami Paper: To pass the time when you're on hold with tier 1 tech support at said backup software vendor.
A Stress Ball: To help when discussing the problem with Tier 1 support after they finally answer the phone.
An Ice Pack: To soothe your aching fist after pounding it into the desk when you realize it took 90 minutes just to get handed off to Tier 2 support.
A Spare Cell Phone: After you throw yours into the ground when you get disconnected just as Tier 3 support answers your call.
An Account at Monster.com and Experience in Laying Carpet: =(
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On a slightly more serious note, having a small refridgerator can be handy especially for putting crashed hard drives in to try and recover data.
Also, it's even better if your camera phone can take video. I take video when I'm messing with BIOSs and other things that I don't have time to simultaneously document while editing.
Cough drops and nose spray for extended stays in the dry server room.
A P-Touch Labeler to label EVERYTHING even if you're certain you'll remember which patch cables connect to the security cameras.
Fingernail clippers to remove the sheath from the 4 pairs of wires in a Cat5 cable.
Silver Sharpies for when you have to mark on something that has a dark finish.