Tools - Category - Fryguy's Blog

New Network Tools Section

Fryguy — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:29:42 +0000

I have been meaning to put together some network tools for a while now, and I finally got around to it. I added a new Network Tools section to the site with eight tools that I find myself needing on a regular basis. They all run in the browser – nothing gets sent to a server, they either do the math locally or call a public API directly.

Cisco Nexus Show Tech-Support – aka TAC-PAC

Fryguy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:10:18 +0000

The inevitable TAC call and the request for a Show Tech to help with the support. Normally this is not a big problem on most systems, but if you ever try this on somehting like a Nexus 7000 – it takes a loooooong time and pulls well over 100 megs of information in that file. Capturing this output to a terminal is a test of patience (lets not mention console), or even if you redirect it to the bootflash it can still take some time. Then, there is getting a 100+ meg file copied from the bootflash to your computer, etc etc etc. I did do a quick post some time ago about using GZip to compress the file – you can find that post here.
But that is not what this post is about, this post is about a command called TAC-PAC. TAC-PAC seems to be a little known command to most people who have never run into a problem and had to pull a show tech of a N7K, of for that matter any NX-OS platform. I was able to confirm this command on Nexus 7000, 5000, and 1000 as well as the SAN MDS.
So, what is TAC-PAC? It is a single command that redirects the output of show tech-support details to a file, and then automatically compresses it for you. One command – nice and simple. The only thing that you will still have to do is pull the file via FTP or so.

IOS 15 License

Fryguy — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 19:36:21 +0000

The other day I was looking for a Cisco IOS 15 license matrix and was unable to find anything definitive and all that I was doing was trying to find out what services are enabled in different images. Granted, one can use the Feature Navigator to find out and compare, but sometimes we just need something quick and simple.
In IOS 15 there is a Base image, a Security Image, a Data Image, and a Unified Communications / Collaboration Image. Each one has some common features, but for the most part each are different. Below is a matrix that I was able to put together using the Cisco Feature Navigator and comparing all the images to each other. If you would like an Excel version, you can click here

I had to remove the in-line matrix for the moment as it was just too big for WordPress to handle. For now, just grab the link above.
Also, I think I need to check a few things with some of the other hardware out there. I think the Cisco 3925e that I selected has much more features in the base code then say, a 2901 would have. I will do an updated post shortly on some of the model comparisons and IOS feature matrix.

What's in my toolbag

Fryguy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:56:32 +0000

This post is more of an informative post with regards to what tools I tend to use on a regular basis in my job. Recently, Stretch wrote about what was in his tool bag over on PacketLife.Net . He has some GREAT information over there beside just that post, so if you have never visited you should wander over there when you have time.

For the most part I tend to use the many of the same tools he discussed, but figured it would be nice to share what I have in my bag. So, without further typing, here we go!
Note: If you click on the pictures it will take you to a link to where you can either get the tool or a similar tool if the one I had is no longer availablee

This is probably my most used tool when I do not have to make cables. It contains just about every nut, bolt, and screw that you will find in a data center. It is easy to use, quick to find, and very versatile. No need to separate screw drivers or pliers, just grab this and you are good to go!