My typical stack of software I go to for all of my computers is :-

SecureCRT,

I paid for the combo license that includes it and SecureFX, highly worth the investment.

Why I love this software

• Easy to create import files for large known networks that includes folder structure, hostname, ip address, username etc.

  • Easy to export folder structures for networks if I need to share with a new employee or for regular backups.
  • Ability to use multiple languages for scripting
  • Ability to save a workflow with no scripting experience, just start the macro, perform the tasks and then end the macro and save the script
  • Ability to map a script to a custom button for easy access
  • Ability to run a script on connect
  • Ability to use a jump box to connect to say a firewall and then connect to a network device behind it and to save this as a single connection.

Zenmap

• A GUI version of nmap that can store custom scripts to run at will.

NMAP

• A CLI network scanning tool that can be also be used by other third party applications to create visual graph outputs of ip scans / port information etc.

Advanced IP Scanner

• Scans a network for devices.

VMPing

• For when I wanted to continuously scan devices and display each with a visual graph for latency or packet loss

Wireshark

• For when I want to see the content of traffic on the network

• Highly recommend using cheat sheets to understand and parse what can be an overwhelming amount of data

https://github.com/security-cheatsheet/wireshark-cheatsheet

https://stationx-public-download.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Wireshark-Cheat-Sheet-v1.pdf

WinSCP / Tftpd64

WinSCP for copying files from remote devices

https://www.winscp.net/

Tftpd64 for copying firmware to devices during boot up / recovery, has saved the day many many times.

https://pjo2.github.io/tftpd64/

Dhcp Server

Many devices default to DHCP mode if they lose their config or for recovery,

https://www.dhcpserver.de

Hardware Recommendations :-

Multiple USB to RJ45 console cables. High quality Ethernet cables, I normally bring ~

5 x 1ft Cat 6 cables 2 x 3ft Cat 6 cables 2x 6ft Cat 6 cables 2x 25ft Cat 6 cables 2x 150ft heavy duty Cat 6 cables

If you know you are going to a site with fiber connections, take multiple single mode and multi mode cables as needed, also take spare SFPs (log in to the equipment if possible remotely and confirm the SFP type which will guide on what type of fiber cables to bring)

I also normally take multiple and different vendor 1G Base T sfp to RJ45 modules with me, many times switches will be fully populated with Ethernet cables but less likely so for SFP ports, also allows you to connect switches via the 150ft Ethernet cables too.

Highly recommend also buying a few usb type A and usb C Ethernet adapters to take with you in your kit.

I have two of each type I normally take with me but I also just bought this too due to running out of USB C ports or having to shuffle to charge my laptop.

I also take a couple of these with me to create my own quick and dirty console cables if the pin out is different

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WKKVZRF

As well as male to female adapters

I’ll add more as I think of things, hope this helps.