Cisco Tools that you use every day...

mattsthe2

So im starting a new job tomorrow and im curious as to what everyone uses every day as far as Cisco tools to make your jobs easier.

For example we bought the SolarWinds - Engineers toolset package in my last job.
Pro's: RealTime analysis what traffic is on your circuits and how much.
Email alerts when certain triggers are met. Circuit down, Router reload etc.

Con's: Expensive $1000+ many tools that we dont really need or use.



I also found this....

What's the best Cisco router configuration and management tool?
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035_11-6179083.html?tag=rbxccnbtr1

AlanJames

we use solar winds with the NetFlow Traffic Analysis module installed for network monitoring/ stats etc.
MS visio for network diags, and tera term for switch/router access

empc4000xl

I use putty to get to each device and whatsup gold to monitor traffic. And having a console cable always another good tool to have. You never know when your gonna be locked out, so being able to get to a device locally is golden.


opps a little drunk on the "puddy" thing,lol

AlanJames

And having a console cable always another good tool to have. You never know when your gonna be locked out, so being able to get to a device locally is golden.

2nd to that! it can be easy to lose telnet access by screwing with allowed vlans etc

happy420golucky

empc4000xl wrote:

I use puddy to get to each device and whatsup gold to monitor traffic. And having a console cable always another good tool to have. You never know when your gonna be locked out, so being able to get to a device locally is golden.

I agree having a console cable on hand is definitely required if you a tech or engineer. But a nice feature is to set the router to reload at a specific time "RELOAD IN 10" so if you do fat finger a config or get locked out it will reload and you wont have to do the walk or drive of shame. Mind you sometime you can't just set a router to reload because it's a core device. So you have to understand where and when you can use that feature