The Network Products We Use in Our “Go Bag”

The links to the products shown here are all available through Amazon, and if you use these links, we will get a small cut through our Amazon Associates program. We thank you for doing this.

I often get asked for a list of products that are in my “go bag”, when I work on networks.

If you landed here and are looking for a survival kit/”go bag”, here is the one I recommend!

OK – back to networking. The following is what is in my networking “go bag”.

The “Go Bag” Itself

I like three options:
Military Tactical Backpack Large Army 3 Day Assault Pack,
or Hardside Carry-On Spinner Luggage, Black, 20-Inch
or DocSafe Document Bag with Lock,Fireproof 3-Layer File Storage Case with Water-Resistant Zipper,Document Safe Portable Travel Home Organizer Bag

In my early years, I used to have this toolkit: Eclipse Pro’sKit PK-4302AI PC Networking Tool Kit, Multicolor

Wi-Fi Related

To see our list of Monitor Mode Wi-Fi adapters – look here.

MetaGeek Wi-Spy Spectrum Analyzer (no longer available)
That said – This one is an alternative for now: RF Explorer (option 1) or RF Explorer (option 2) and you can get the 2.4 GHz directional antenna and/or the 5 GHz directional antenna

MetaGeek Wi-Spy Device Finder Antenna

Steren Wireless Display Tester, Wi-Fi Tester

The Cheapest Wi-Fi USB Adapter

Hak5 WiFi Pineapple Mark VII Pentesting Tool + Field Guide Book

ALFA AWUS036ACH Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter w/2x 5dBi External Antennas – 2.4GHz 300Mbps/5GHz 867Mbps – 802.11ac & A, B, G, N

ALFA Network AWUS036ACS Wide-Coverage Dual-Band AC600 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter w/High-Sensitivity External Antenna – Windows, MacOS & Kali Linux supported

TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router V4 (Archer AX21) – Dual Band Wireless Internet Router, Gigabit Router, Easy Mesh, Works with Alexa

Computer Related

Rasberry Pi

Tinkerboard

Wireshark / Tap Related

DLink 8 port managed gigabit switch

USB Hub 4 Ports, Multiple USB 3.0 Hub, USB A Splitter for Laptop with USB C Power Port, USB Extender for A Port Laptop, Windows, Linux, Acer PC and More (2ft)

SharkTap Gigabit Network Sniffer – the Ethernet Option

SharkTap Gigabit Network Sniffer – the USB option

Throwing Star LAN Tap Network Packet Capture Mod 100% Original Replica Monitoring Ethernet Communication Tool

TP-Link 5 Port 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch

StarTech.com USB to Ethernet Adapter, USB 3.0 to 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN Adapter, USB to RJ45 Adapter, TAA Compliant

Cable / Wire Related

Klein Tools VDV526-200 Cable Tester, LAN Scout Jr. 2 Ethernet Cable Tester for CAT 5e, CAT 6/6A Cables with RJ45 Connections

Gigabit Ethernet Splitter 1 to 2 High Speed, 1000Mbps Internet Splitter 1 in 2 out, LAN Splitter with USB Power Cable, RJ45 Splitter for Cat5/5e/6/7/8 Cable

RJ45 Coupler Cat7 Cat6 Cat5e Ethernet Cable Extender Adapter Shielded FTP LAN Connector in Line Female to Female (1 Pack)

Cisco console cable – RJ45 to USB
Cisco console cable – USB-MicroUSB
Cisco console cable – RJ45 to USB-C
Cisco console cable – RJ45 to DB9

Power and Metering

Klein Tools RT250 GFCI Outlet Tester with LCD Display, Electric Voltage Tester for Standard 3-Wire 120V Electrical Receptacles

Electrical Test Kit with Digital Multimeter, Non-Contact Voltage Tester and Electrical Outlet Tester

Clamp Meter Multimeter 2000 Counts Amp Voltage Tester Auto-ranging with AC/DC Voltage, AC Current, Resistance, Capacitance, Continuity, Live Wire Test, Non-Contact Voltage Detection

Telephone Testing

What about telephone testing? I don’t carry these with me any more, but I have them:

Lineman’s Test Set / Butt Set
Option 2 for a test set/butt set

Electrical Wire Tracer Circuit Tester w/Tone Generator & Probe Kit

Wire Tracer Tone Generator and Probe Kit for Ethernet, Internet, Telephone, Speaker, Coax, Video, and Data Cables RJ45, RJ11, RJ12

Other Miscellaneous Items

BAOFENG UV-5R 8W Ham Radios Long Range UV5R Handheld Dual Band High Power 3800mAh Rechargeable Walkie Talkies Portable Two Way Radio with Earpiece USB Charging Cable Full Kit

STREBITO Precision Screwdriver Set 191-Piece Multi-Bit Screwdriver 1/4 Inch Nut Driver Home Improvement Tool Electronic Repair Kit for Computer, iPhone, Laptop, PC, Cell Phone, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo

Oldies but Goodies

I put these here just for fun, as they were probably once in my go bag, but they certainly are rarely if ever needed today.

RS232 DB25 BREAK-OUT BOX TESTER

RS-232 LED link Tester DB-9 Male to DB-9 Female

RS232 Breakout Tester LED Monitor, DB9 Male to Female Breakout Module

Not at Amazon

I also use the following, that are not at Amazon, but rather can be found here: https://hak5.org

• USB Rubber Ducky
• USB Plunderbug LAN TAP
• Sharkjack – LAN TAP
• Bash Bunny
• Packet Squirrel TAP and capture

Comments are welcomed below from registered users.  You can also leave comments at our Discord server. 

If you would like to see more content and articles like this, please support us by clicking the patron link where you will receive free bonus access to courses and more, or simply buying us a cup of coffee!