Tools

Every good network engineer have a good tool kit. A package of tools that they use to help them perform their day to day tasks. Here is a peek into my tool box.

Nortel Java Device manager
GUI for Avaya and legacy Nortel Switches and Routers.

Nortel CLI manager
Excellent tool for managing multiple Avaya and legacy Nortel devices from a single interface.

Tera Term Pro 313
Flexible tool for managing telnet and console connections for multiple types of switches and routers. * not sure if this is freeware. download at your own risk.

Putty
Similar to TTpro313, but with added SSH support.

Network Scanner
Simple tool from Softperfect for performing IP range pings.

PL-2303HX USB to Serial Bridge Controller

Most laptops today no longer come with a serial db9 port.  And last time I checked, Nortel and Cisco are not shipping USB console cables. So it is now necessary to improvise with your current console cables and put a USB to Serial Bridge Controller in line so you can locally manager your console drives.