Knowledge base
CliDeck Blog
Practical guides for serial console access, browser terminals, runbooks, remote hands, ITAD network equipment processing, OOB automation, and safer infrastructure operations.
The CliDeck Blog is a practical knowledge base for engineers and operations teams working with real infrastructure: switches, routers, firewalls, appliances, servers, console ports, SSH sessions, recovery workflows, asset processing, and documented handoffs.
What you can learn here
Best starting points
Serial console basics
Start here if you need to connect to a console port, find the right COM port, choose the correct baud rate, or fix serial console problems.
Serial ConsoleBrowser terminal workflows
Start here if you want to compare browser-based SSH or serial console workflows with traditional terminal apps.
RunbooksRunbooks and safer operations
Start here if your team repeats the same commands, handles incidents, or needs safer maintenance workflows.
Remote HandsRemote hands and shared terminals
Start here if onsite technicians, senior engineers, customers, or vendor support need to work on the same live terminal session.
ITAD & RefurbishmentITAD network equipment processing
Start here if your team resets, zeroizes, recovers, verifies, or documents network devices for resale, reuse, refurbishment, or recycling.
ITAD & RefurbishmentOOB automation and recovery
Start here if you need serial fallback, provisioning files, recovery workflows, or documented device processing.
CliDeck products mentioned in the blog
CliDeck Workspace
Browser-based terminal workspace for SSH, serial workflows, runbooks, notes, layouts, logs, and shared sessions.
Console Server Go
Pocket-size, battery-powered portable console server and next-generation USB console cable for rack-side and remote-hands console access.
CliDeck Net Controller
Rugged 12-port portable console server and OOB automation controller for ITAD, refurbishment, recovery, provisioning, barcode/API workflows, and documented results.

FortiGate 7000E HA Status: Capture Members and Sync Before Maintenance
Collect FortiGate 7000E HA member identities, roles and configuration synchronization as a reviewable baseline before approved maintenance.
Guides, product notes, and workflow references
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Arista EOS Optical Readings: Capture DOM Values Without Certifying the Link
Capture EOS optical DOM readings, units, update context and supported thresholds without overstating link or forwarding health.

Junos Uptime Before Recovery: Separate Boot, Protocol and Configuration Times
Collect boot, protocol-start and configuration times in Junos while preserving Routing Engine, node and clock context before recovery.

Cisco Catalyst STP Root Checks: Compare Root ID, Bridge ID and Port Roles
Read the elected STP root and local bridge identity separately, preserve port roles and states, and compare the snapshot with the approved topology.

Transcript Handoff with SHA-256: Verify the File, Preserve the Limits
Generate and check a SHA-256 manifest for a finalized transcript copy, handle mismatches and preserve the limits of file-integrity evidence.

Arista EOS Inventory: Reconcile Chassis, Modules and Optics at Intake
Reconcile EOS chassis, power modules, fans and optics at intake while separating reported inventory from functional hardware grading.

Junos Commit History: Read the Timeline Without Confirming a Change
Collect the Junos commit timeline, preserve pending rollback information and distinguish recorded changes from verified service outcomes.

Cisco EtherChannel Summary: Read Bundle and Member Flags Separately
Read EtherChannel bundle and member flags separately, retain the protocol and legend, and compare observed membership with the approved design.

Arista EOS Boot Image Checks: Separate Running Software from Next Boot
Compare running EOS with the selected next-boot image, check its storage location, and keep file availability separate from boot readiness.