/net-tools

Tools and resources I use.

Tools and Resources

Are you wondering what tools and resources I use for my job? On this page, I share a list of tools, products, services, and resources I use. Feel anything is missing? Let us know and I’ll update the list.

Graphics:

Everything I use to create graphics.

Network Diagrams:

I use Microsoft Visio 2019 to create all network diagrams. Stencils are from Visiocafe (http://www.visiocafe.com), they release a lot of good-looking free Visio stencils (http://www.visiocafe.com/vsdfx.htm). I use Excalidraw for quick drawings.

Tools

A collection of miscellaneous tools.

Terminal:

Nowadays, I use SecureCRT as my main console/terminal with the Consolas font (https://freefontsdownload.net/free-consolas-font-33098.htm). SecureCRT might look outdated but does everything you need. There are two main reasons why I use it:

  • The session manager is useful to store all devices you connect to.
  • It supports scripts. I use this sometimes to extract configurations from devices.

Also You can use this nice words file (Special thanks to Giulino Barros):

  • 1 - Download files "Cisco Words.ini" or "Cisco Words for BlackBckgrd.ini" below (I use the first one).
  • https://lnkd.in/e4nEZuzZ
  • https://lnkd.in/eyb8WGAz
  • 2 - Find the SecureCRT's Configuration folder. You can find the path to Config folder on Options / Global Options and navigate to the Configuration paths category.
  • 3 - Open the "Keywords" subfolder found in Configuration folder. PS: If a "Keywords" subfolder doesn't exist in Config folder, create one there.
  • 4 - Copy the downloaded .ini file to "Keywords" folder.
  • 5 - Edit the session options for any of your saved sessions. Go to category Terminal -> Appearance and in the "Keyword Highlighting" you'll see a drop-down "Name"... and now with "Cisco Words" in it. PS: You may edit the Default session to configure for all existing and future sessions/connections.

Console

I use Windows 10 as my main operating system. I use Windows Terminal because the default command prompt isn’t very useful (https://github.com/microsoft/terminal). I also use Cmder (https://cmder.app). Cmder uses ConEmu under the hood and allows you to open tabs for the Windows command prompt, Git Bash, WSL Bash, and PowerShell.

  • Windows Terminal supports the Windows command prompt, Powershell, and WSL Bash. That’s everything I need.

Editor:

I use this apps for mose of my works:

Apps

  • TextExpander: this tool is great for reducing the amount you type. It allows you to type abbreviations that automatically expand into whatever you need. Canned responses, URLs, etc. I use this to write quickly but also to open URLs that are difficult to remember (I don’t use bookmarks).
  • Autohotkey: Similar to TextExpander but free and even more powerful.
  • Obsidian: This tool allows you to create notes and link them to each other. I use this to create a Zettelkasten containing my notes about networking, documentation, research, and more.
  • Raindrop.io: I use this as an alternative to Pocket. With Raindrop, you can store articles, images, and videos that you want to read or watch later.
  • Instapaper: I use this as an alternative to Raindrop because it synchronizes with Readwise.
  • Readwise: this is a great tool because it synchronizes with Obsidian.

Recording

  • OBS Studio: this is what I use to record videos. Open-source and allows you to create scenes.
  • Shure SM7B Microphone: one of the most popular microphones out there. Sounds great out of the box, even if you don’t edit your audio.
  • Sennheiser MKH 416: a shotgun overhead microphone that remains outside of the scene I shoot.
  • Focusrite 2i2: connects the microphone to my computer.

Labs

  • Cisco VIRL: I use this for most of my labs.
  • Cisco CML: Aka VIRL2
  • EVE-NG: Great for everything that is difficult to do with CML. For example, Cisco SD-WAN.
  • Physical Lab: I also have a physical lab with routers, switches, firewalls, ESXi servers, etc. You can find some details here.