CablesAndKits Blog

Starting the week with a positive outlook. National Upsy Daisy Day encourages us to greet each day with gratitude, optimism, and a cheerful attitude. Sometimes, a positive mindset is the perfect way to kick off a new week. What is one thing you are looking forward to this week?

In This Issue: A Kitten, a Championship, and a Busy Week Ahead | Deal of the Day | DB25 Male Solder Cup Connector | Console Cables | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – A Kitten, a Championship, and a Busy Week Ahead

Happy Monday!
​
This weekend was a busy one. I’m getting ready for a trip to New Orleans this week to compete in the Pokémon International Championship, and I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve been doing some last-minute testing and preparation and looking forward to seeing how I stack up against some of the best players around.
​
We’ve also had an unexpected addition to our household. A few days ago, we found a kitten on our front porch. Our best guess is that it somehow hitched a ride underneath our van and ended up at our house. Thankfully, it seems healthy and is doing well. The kids absolutely adore it. We used to have four cats, but after losing two of them over the last few years, a new addition is certainly welcome.
​
We also kicked off Vacation Bible School at church on Sunday night. I was voluntold to help run the games, and honestly, it was a lot of fun. The kids had a blast running around outside and burning off some energy. It was great seeing so many excited faces and helping create a fun experience for them.
​
It’s shaping up to be a busy week, but a good one.
​
I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!
​
Cris

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

The DB25 Male Solder Cup Connector is a reliable solution for custom cable assemblies, data communication, and legacy device connections. It features 25 pins and solder cup terminations for secure, precise wiring. The nickel-plated steel shell offers enhanced durability, corrosion resistance, and shielding against interference—ideal for professional and industrial applications.

---

Learning Center Article – What Are Console Cables?

Console cables — also known as Cisco cables, rollover cables and management cables — are designed for a specific purpose. They connect Cisco networking devices to terminals or PCs for configuration. Typically, the Cisco end will connect via RJ45, and the terminal end will conclude in a serial connection.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Nvidia clinches deals with South Korean giants to advance AI boom. 
• ​Brace for ‘record-breaking heat‘ in a coast-to-coast heat wave.
• ​Two more Texas screwworm infections found in animals far apart, USDA says.

Wrapping up the week with a sweet tradition. National Doughnut Day celebrates the beloved treat enjoyed by millions while also honoring the Salvation Army Lassies who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I. What is your go-to doughnut flavor?

In This Issue: Looking Forward to an Incredible Weekend | Deal of the Day | Cisco Switch | Direct Burial Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Looking Forward to an Incredible Weekend

Happy Friday! There are some weekends you circle on the calendar because you know they’re going to be special, and this is one of them.
​
Tonight, both of my girls will be teaming up for the first time in a softball tournament in Anderson, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve watched them grow as athletes, competitors, and young women, but getting to see them share the field together is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.
​
More than the hits, the catches, or the final score, I’m excited to watch them feed off each other’s energy. To see them encourage one another, pick each other up, and push each other to be their best. There’s something special about siblings competing side by side, and I have a feeling they’re going to have a great weekend.
​
Of course, the weekend won’t be all softball. During our downtime, I’ll be resuming my duties as the family’s in-house driving instructor for my oldest daughter. So if you’re the praying type, please keep both my safety and my sanity in your thoughts. The roads may never be the same.
​
Thankfully, any stress from riding shotgun can usually be cured by spending time on the soccer pitch with my boys. They’ve developed a genuine passion for the game, and watching that love grow has been one of the greatest joys of fatherhood. Their energy is contagious, and there are few things better than seeing them do something they truly love.
​
And when all the games are played, the driving lessons are over, and the weekend starts winding down, I get my favorite part. I get to spend time with my angel, my best friend, and my wife.
​
There’s something perfect about ending the day wrapped up in a blanket together on the back porch, talking about life, laughing about the chaos, and enjoying the quiet moments that somehow mean the most.
​
Lately, life has felt busy and demanding. The responsibilities pile up, the worries linger, and the days seem to move faster than ever. But through it all, I find strength in my family. My wife and kids have a way of reminding me what matters most. Love doesn’t make life’s challenges disappear, but it certainly makes them easier to carry.
​
So as we head into another busy weekend filled with softball, soccer, driving lessons, and porch conversations, I’m feeling grateful. And as the scholars of the Wu-Tang Clan once wisely said: “Worries come and go… but Wu-Tang is forever.”
​
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone. And thanks for listening to my TED Talk.
​
Matthew

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series is an enterprise-class access switch with Gigabit Ethernet and PoE support, ideal for branch offices and business networks. Its compact, fanless design enables quiet operation in tight spaces, while advanced security and support for IP phones, wireless access points, and surveillance devices deliver reliable network performance.

---

Learning Center Article – Buying Direct Burial Ethernet Cables? Here’s What Most People Overlook

Planning to expand your network outdoors or underground? Weather, moisture, and soil pressure can all threaten typical network cables; but with the right solution, reliable outdoor performance is easy to achieve. Whether linking buildings, powering outdoor devices, or extending coverage beyond four walls, direct burial Ethernet cables make it possible.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• More vitamin supplements recalled amid ongoing salmonella outbreak as FDA warns customers to throw them out. 
• ​OpenAI launches Dreaming V3 to enhance ChatGPT memory.
• China team builds world’s fastest quantum memory to connect old data with qubits.

Happy Thursday! Today is dedicated to one of the world’s most beloved foods. National Cheese Day celebrates the countless varieties of cheese enjoyed across different cultures and cuisines. What is your favorite type of cheese?

In This Issue: Tech Wins | Deal of the Day | Spiral Cable Zip Wrap | Top Ethernet Cables for Ultimate Industrial Connectivity | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Tech Wins

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Keep your cables organized and secure with the Spiral Cable Zip in white. Measuring 30mm x 1.5m, it offers a sleek and flexible solution for reducing clutter and protecting wires in any setting.

---

Learning Center Article – Say Goodbye to Slow Networks: Top Ethernet Cables for Ultimate Industrial Connectivity

Standard Ethernet cabling fails quickly in industrial conditions. It lacks the insulation, shielding, and mechanical protection needed for continuous uptime in environments exposed to vibration, temperature shifts, and chemical stressors.

This is where industrial Ethernet cables come in. Industrial Ethernet cables are engineered to survive where standard ones fail.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• SoftBank shares plunge over 11% amid broader tech sell-off. 
• FDA recalls popular ice pops due to severe allergy risk.
• ​Amazon uses AI to invent products you can’t buy.

Midweek is a great time to celebrate one of the most versatile foods around. National Egg Day recognizes the ingredient that can be scrambled, fried, poached, baked, and so much more. How do you like your eggs?

In This Issue: Did You Know? | Deal of the Day | 66 Punch Down Wiring Block | Ethernet vs Wi-Fi | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Did You Know?

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

This 66 Punch Down 50 Pair Wiring Block is a reliable and versatile solution for a variety of applications from telecommunications to data networking. It helps to simplify cable termination and organization for 22-26AWG solid copper cross-connect station wiring for a variety of applications, utilizing four rows of IDC clips.

---

Learning Center Article – Ethernet vs Wi-Fi: Which Delivers Better Speed, Stability, and Network Reliability?

In modern network design, choosing between Ethernet and Wi-Fi often means weighing stability against mobility. Ethernet delivers consistent high-speed data transfer with minimal latency and strong reliability. Wi-Fi, by contrast, prioritizes flexibility, supporting quick setup and mobile access across workspaces.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Gold falls on stronger dollar, oil amid renewed Middle East hostilities. 
• ​Trump asks US AI firms to submit models for cybersecurity tests.​
• ​United Airlines wants to use AI with ‘no human intervention’ to explain why your flight is delayed.

Today is a sweet celebration of a classic ice cream flavor. National Rocky Road Day honors the delicious combination of chocolate ice cream, marshmallows, and nuts. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

In This Issue: Small Steps, Big Possibilities | Deal of the Day | 1RU Recessed Rack Adapter | How to Measure Ethernet Cable Performance | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Small Steps, Big Possibilities

Good morning, everyone! Happy Tuesday!

How was your weekend? Me? I can barely feel the weekends anymore. Not in a negative way, though. Ever since I started my small printing and souvenir business, weekends have become production days for me. And honestly, I’m grateful for this kind of busy.

Last weekend, I finally finished a big order of stickers and button pins for an online seller of anime figures. To be honest, it took me almost two weeks to complete everything because I manually cut all the stickers since I don’t have an automatic cutter yet. Hopefully, I’ll be able to invest in one soon.

For now, my mom and dad have been helping me with all the cutting. Our first attempts didn’t go very well, but we just accepted it as part of the learning process. After all, mistakes are normal when you’re doing something for the first time. We learned from them, improved, and eventually finished the order. Those are the parts that matter most.

After completing that order, I think designing new products has already become part of my system. While creating some new designs, I remembered that my aunt once mentioned that the pool resort where she works doesn’t have souvenir products yet. That gave me an idea, so I decided to create a few sample designs for them.

That same afternoon, after creating and printing the designs, I turned them into ref magnets and keychains that I could present to their boss. I asked my aunt for help and had her hand them over. They weren’t fully polished since I ran out of time, but to our surprise, their boss liked them. They’re now asking me to create another design sample before deciding how many pieces they’ll order.

Hopefully, this turns into another successful opportunity. Please wish me good luck!

Any wins you’d like to share? I’d love to hear yours too!

Kat

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

The RRA1U Recessed Rack Adapter mounts equipment 3 inches behind the rack face, helping accommodate protruding cables and devices while allowing rack doors to close properly. Ideal for patch panels, shelves, and other standard 19-inch equipment, it provides a simple solution for cleaner, more efficient rack installations.

---

Learning Center Article – How to Measure Ethernet Cable Performance: A Practical Guide for Everyday Users

Slow downloads, lagging video calls, and interrupted backups aren’t always your ISP’s fault. In many cases, the issue lies within the very cable linking your device to the network. While routers and modems get plenty of attention, Ethernet cables are often ignored, despite being the literal backbone of wired connectivity.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Cisco overhauls vulnerability disclosures as AI accelerates bug hunting​. 
• ​Microsoft forms partnership to launch solar-powered digital lab to provide AI training to underserved communities in South Africa.​
• E Ink and MediaTek partner to bring AI and better color to e-readers.

Starting the month with a flavorful favorite. National Olive Day celebrates one of the world’s oldest fruits and a staple in many cuisines around the globe. Are you a fan of olives?

In This Issue: From Campfires to Card Games | Deal of the Day | Mounting Bracket | Best Ethernet Cables for Large Offices | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – From Campfires to Card Games

Happy Monday!

We had plans to hold a campfire event at church this weekend, but the rain had other ideas. Instead of sitting around a fire, we pivoted and had a fun game night with the family. Sometimes those unexpected changes end up being just as enjoyable as the original plan.

Saturday evening we had dinner with some friends and learned a new card game called Hand and Foot. None of us had played it before, but we picked it up pretty quickly and had a great time. It’s one of those games that’s easy to learn but has enough strategy to keep things interesting. We’ll definitely be adding it to our regular game rotation.

On Sunday, after church, I attended my last local Pokémon tournament of the season. It wasn’t a huge event with only eight players, but that made it feel more like a gathering of friends than a competition. I didn’t end up placing in the top spots, but honestly that didn’t matter much. We had a great time playing, catching up, and enjoying the hobby together. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded that the people are more important than the results.

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Keep your access points safe and sound with our wall/ceiling mounting brackets for Cisco Aironet 1040, 1140, 1260, 3500 and 3600 series access points. Why make the investment? These access points help ensure your network provides the best possible signal.

---

Learning Center Article – Stop Network Bottlenecks with the Best Ethernet Cables for Large Offices

In large offices, cabling is the silent backbone that decides whether VoIP phones stay clear, surveillance feeds stay smooth, and remote desktops stay connected. Get the cable wrong, and every other upgrade becomes a patch, not a solution.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Nvidia launches Windows laptop chip for AI era. 
• ​USA Rare Earth targets €175 million French expansion to strengthen magnet supply chain.
• Moderna partners with global health coalition to develop Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine.