Archives for June 2022

Of all the forms of a greeting, the handshake is considered the most ancient. From a formal handshake to secret ones – happy handshaking!

In This Issue: Grilling around the Neighborhood | Webcam 1080p w/Autofocus Camera | Yealink Phones for Video and Conference Calls | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Grilling around the Neighborhood

Happy Thursday everyone!

I know a lot of you have already started checking out of work and normal activities for the July 4th holiday weekend. I can tell by all of the “out-of-office” replies we have been getting as the week has gone on. Haha! I hope all of you have some fun and relaxing plans for the weekend. My neighbors and I were discussing last night what we wanted to grill/cook over the next few days as we rotate around to each other’s homes. I am trying to decide between a cajun smoked turkey or an applewood-smoked chicken. Of course, it is always a tradition with my family to make homemade ice cream so that will be happening too. I have a box of Samoa Girl Scout cookies in the freezer so I think I will make Samoa ice cream over the weekend. Should be a fattening, but great weekend!

If you are planning on grilling, smoking, or cooking something over the holiday weekend, let me know what it is. I might change my mind about what I am planning on making, or at least convince one of my neighbors to make it on their turn. Haha!

Have a great rest of the week and a safe, happy holiday weekend!

Jason

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Enjoy fine detail video calls with CablesAndKits 1080p webcam. Perfect for all video conference platforms. This webcam is perfect for Zoom, Skype, Teams, and any other video conference platform. The quality of 1080p allows you to share video with clear and fine detail. In addition, the built-in wide-angle microphones match users’ voice quality to the crystal clear video quality and make it feel like you are face to face.

---

Learning Center Article – Yealink Phones for Video and Conference Calls

Businesses are always pushed to keep up with evolving technological landscapes. In just 20 years, we have seen multiple revolutions. Documentation has gone from primarily printed to almost exclusively digital. Communication went from in-person meetings and traditional telephones to using internet collaboration tools and smartphones.

Right now, the fastest changes are in terms of direct communication. The way we conduct meetings and exchange ideas is fundamentally different from how it was even a year ago. Exploring that, we can see how technology is going to continue to drive more change. Enter Yealink phone and conferencing solutions.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Wednesday was the Apple iPhone’s 15th anniversary, marking the day the very first one went on sale to the public. Founder and then-CEO Steve Jobs introduced the cellphone in January 2007, announcing that the smartphone would have a touch screen, rear-facing camera, internet access, and the music capabilities of an iPod, in addition to its phone capabilities. It cost $499 at the time.
• Snapchat announced Wednesday it’s rolling out a $3.99/month subscription plan for Snapchat that unlocks exclusive and pre-release features. It’s called Snapchat+.
• Carbon dioxide removal startup Climeworks announced on Tuesday it is building a second commercial-sized plant in Iceland. When fully operational in 18 to 24 months, the plant will capture and store 36,000 metric tons per year of carbon dioxide.
• Rocket Lab launched a small spacecraft bound for the moon from its New Zealand facility early Tuesday, a mission that represents firsts for both the company and NASA. The company’s Electron rocket carried a special version of its Photon satellite platform, which is carrying a 55-pound, microwave oven-sized spacecraft called CAPSTONE.

Today is for all the waffle lovers out there – it’s National Waffle Iron Day! Do you enjoy your waffle plain, with syrup, topped with berries, or all of the above?

In This Issue: Winter Meals vs. Summer Meals | Cisco ASA5506 Power Supply | Polarity for MPO Cables | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Winter vs. Summer Meals

Good morning CK family & Happy Wednesday!

Can you believe July 1st is on Friday and the year will be halfway over?! Time is flying.

This week some of my family and I have been in conversation about summer meals vs winter meals. We were debating if chili was only a winter meal or if it could also be a summer meal. The results were pretty split down the middle. Soup was the next food of discussion. Most of us agreed that soup is a winter meal unless you are sick during the summer. The biggest debate was grilling in the winter. We all love the taste of food right off the grill but also we rarely use the grill in the winter because who wants to cook out in the cold?!

What do you think? Do you have meals you only cook in the winter and some you only cook in the summer?

Ashley

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

We get it… external power supplies can sometimes go missing during migrations or moves. Power supplies are often overlooked and forgotten. If you need a spare power supply for your ASA5506-X firewall, this 100% compatible power supply will fit the bill.

This Cisco-compatible ASA5506-X power supply is completely compatible with the ASA5506-X firewalls including the ASA5506-K9. Tested and built to Cisco’s exact specifications, this power supply is nearly identical to the original at a fraction of the cost.

---

Learning Center Article – Polarity for MPO Cables

High-end fiber optics are important to modern networking, but they’re a lot more complicated than some of their older counterparts. If you need the power of fiber, you might be looking into MPO systems. They can hit some of the highest speeds on the market today, but utilizing them requires knowledge. One key piece of knowledge that can help with MPO systems is polarity. Without this knowledge, you won’t get a connection across any of your lines.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Delta Air Lines is allowing travelers to change their tickets for free during the busy Fourth of July weekend, allowing fliers to avoid paying a fare difference and skip the airport during a “potentially challenging” few days.
• The Port of Oakland has had enough of the long-dwelling import containers clogging its ports. On July 1, Oakland is reducing the tariff-free time from seven days to four days to reduce congestion on its marine terminal and may raise penalties for containers that sit for too long.
• Airbnb announced a global ban on parties, following a temporary restriction it put in place two years ago. The company is permanently banning “disruptive parties and events,” which include open-invite gatherings. “Party houses,” which people book to throw a large event for just one night, will stay banned as well.
• A missing golden retriever named Lilah, discovered deep inside a culvert pipe in upstate New York, could not be lured out by her owner with peanut butter dog treats or cheese. In the end, State Trooper Jimmy Rasaphone decided to crawl about 15 feet into the pipe under a rural road to rescue Lilah, despite the extremely tight fit.

Happy Tuesday! We hope you are having a great week. If there is anyway that we can be praying for – let us know!

In This Issue: Your Favorite Board Games | HP BL460c Generation 8 | Understanding the Basics of Network Switches | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Your Favorite Board Games

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is off to a great start to the week!

I had a super busy but awesome weekend! I had my nephew and my little brother over on Friday night for a sleepover. We went out to dinner, dropped by Walmart to get some delicious junk food snacks for a movie night at home (watched Sonic), and played a few games of “Clue”! My nephew is now 8 years old so he’s definitely able to understand a lot more when it comes to board games which is exciting because I used to love having family game nights as a kid. “Clue” was actually a family favorite and I hadn’t played it since I was a kid! He caught on super quick and absolutely loved it!

I’m hoping to teach him some new board games in the coming months and would love to know what are some of your favorites?!

Ashley

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Servers are the workhorse of your network. They store your data, act as a web server, house your entire email library, run your applications, and occasionally act as your print server. When your computer dies and you lose all of your files, who is there? Your file server is there to save the day.

Servers can come in many shapes and sizes. CablesAndkits has you covered with 1RU, 2RU, Blade, and Tower servers. The HP BL460c G8 titanium series server is built with 256GB of HP Ram, two 300GB HP hard drives and two Intel E5-2690-V2 Processors.

---

Learning Center Article – Understanding the basics of network switches

Networking is a big topic. In fact, it’s too big for a single conversation. In order to distill such a massive concept into manageable bites, it’s best to look at one component of a network at a time. This time around, that bite is network switches. They come in many shapes and sizes, but you can navigate through the field of options pretty easily when you break switch features into three categories.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• At least three people were killed and dozens were injured after an Amtrak train derailed Monday in Missouri. The train was traveling to Chicago and had about 243 passengers onboard when it collided with a dump truck near the city of Mendon, located about 100 miles northeast of Kansas City, according to the passenger rail company. Authorities say preliminary reports indicate the collision happened at an uncontrolled railroad crossing that didn’t have warning lights or motion gates.
• A team of domino artists convened at a Michigan school to assemble a wall from 54,321 dominoes and break a Guinness World Record.
• Fifty migrants are believed to have died after they and others were found in sweltering conditions in a semi-truck in San Antonio. The death toll, which the city’s fire chief set Monday at 46, includes migrants believed to be mostly from Mexico, as well as Guatemala and Honduras, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
• Sheetz announced Monday that it will charge $3.99 a gallon for unleaded 88 and $3.49 a gallon for E85, effective immediately and continuing “through the July 4th holiday travel season.

Happy Monday! Today we celebrate Mr. Happy Face who was recently crowned the Ugliest Dog in the World! Learn more about his story here.

In This Issue: Lunch with Friends | Cisco 40GBase-SR4 QSFP+ Transceiver Module | Difference between FCoE and FCIP | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Lunch with Friends

Good Monday morning! It cooled down a little bit over the weekend, but it was still hotter than I prefer.

I had lunch with some local guys in my PC gamer group, a few of whom I’ve never met in person before. We enjoyed some Korean BBQ and had some insightful conversations. I realized over the course of the meal that what we were doing could not be replicated digitally. Even though we built camaraderie during our games, actually being face to face added another dimension in our relationships to each other. I can’t pinpoint quite what exactly those dimensions were, but after the lunch, I trusted and understood the guys more, especially the ones I’ve never met in person. I think Korean BBQ is a great setting because it’s slower-paced, we talked between the delicious meats being cooked and everyone seemed to enjoy all of the different food options.

I’m more of an introvert, but I do enjoy social interaction and I tend to find myself listening to learn in conversations as opposed to sharing any given opinion. (I’m an INTJ if you are into the personality types). The lunch sort of gave me a long-needed recharge and boost. I encourage you, if you haven’t already, to have lunch with friends in person if you can and are comfortable with it! If you have the option of having Korean BBQ, I recommend that too!

Cris

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

This versatile Cisco 40GBase-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver module allows you to achieve 40G speeds and also can be utilized in a 4x10G mode to allow for compatibility with your existing 10G transceivers. These Cisco original 40G QSFP+ modules are some of the most popular on the market today and are in many ways comparable to their popular 10G counterpart, SFP-10G-SR.

These 40GBase-SR4 modules are parallel optic transceivers that are ideal for short-range reaches. These transceivers utilize MPO/MTP connectors, operate on OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber (MMF), and use 850nm lasers. These modules utilize 8 of the 12 MPO/MTP fibers to transmit data over 4 duplex (4 sending and 4 receiving) parallel channels at a rate of 10Gbps/channel resulting in 40Gbps speeds.

---

Learning Center Article – Difference between FCoE and FCIP

For enterprise operations, data management is an essential operation, and it requires powerful, robust designs in order to meet demand. That is why storage area networks (SAN) are so common. They provide centralized storage that consolidates large amounts of data while providing sufficient access to that data.

With SAN, you will often find that multiple types of connections are necessary to serve every need of the system, so you will be working with copper connections and fiber optics simultaneously. When those different infrastructures need to communicate, you need methods that bridge the gap.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• At least 730 flights were canceled across the United States on Sunday evening, according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Delta Air Lines alone canceled at least 224 flights on Sunday. United Airlines canceled 71 flights and American Airlines canceled 66 flights.
• At least 21 teenagers, the youngest possibly just 13, died this weekend after a night out at a township tavern in South Africa in a tragedy where the cause remains unclear. Many are thought to have been students celebrating the end of their high-school exams on Saturday night.
• Disney, Apple and Amazon have all submitted bids to become the new broadcast rights owner of the National Football League’s out-of-market Sunday Ticket package. They’re just waiting to find out who wins.
• BMW has officially opened its new 15 billion yuan ($2.2 billion) factory in China with a strong focus on electric vehicles as it tries to catch up with leaders Tesla and domestic competitors.

The weekend is finally here! Do you have any plans? To kick start the weekend, today is “Take Your Dog to Work” day! Looks like the perfect day for your 4-legged friends to help you complete your weekly tasks so you can head into the weekend feeling accomplished.

In This Issue: Vacation Time | Catalyst 9200 | Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Switches: Which is best for your network? | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Vacation Time

Happy Friday, folks! We have officially passed the day with the most sunshine, known as the Summer solstice. My family loves these days when we stay outside during the summer until the street lights come on!

So this brings me to my question? Do you use all of your PTO or vacation time? Here at CablesAndKits, we try to encourage our team to use their PTO regularly. There is always more to do in business than can actually be done. The never-ending list of todos can create the internal pressure not to take a day off. But we also need to prioritize taking care of ourselves. For me, that means taking PTO regularly to enjoy time with my family.

I encourage each of you to take care of yourself and use your PTO. You will be far more productive when you come back. At least, I always am. I feel refreshed.

Have a great weekend!

Chris

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Upgrade your network to the Cisco Catalyst 9200 series of switches to take advantage of simplicity without compromise. These switches extend the power of intent-based networking and help users to simplify complexity, optimize IT, and reduce operational costs.

The series allows for maximum resiliency with dual redundant power supplies and fans which are field replaceable on many models. The 9200 series feature StackWise technology with up to 160 Gbps of stacking bandwidth to allow users to manage a stack of switches as a single virtual unit.

---

Learning Center Article – Layer 2 vs Layer 3 Switches: Which is best for your network?

When it comes to network switches, you have a lot of options. Finding the perfect switch for every occasion can be a monstrous task. Sometimes, the easiest way to find a good choice is to take a step back and learn more about the primary differences that exist between switches.

One major difference that you will see is the OSI connection layer. Most of the switches you will see will be labeled as either Layer 2 or Layer 3. When you take a deeper look at the key aspects of each layer, you can make an informed decision that ensures you have the right equipment for the job at hand.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Instagram is testing ways for users who attempt to edit their age from under 18 to 18 or older to confirm their real age by either uploading a photo ID, recording video selfies or asking mutual friends to confirm their age. The measures are guided by the principle that teens and adults have age-appropriate user experiences on the platform
• The Food and Drug Administration announced that it is banning the sale of Juul e-cigarettes in the U.S. Juul intends to seek a stay on the decision and is exploring options, which include appealing the decision or engaging with the FDA. The ban is part of the FDA’s broader review of the vaping industry following years of pressure from politicians and public health groups to regulate the segment as strictly as other tobacco products after vaping became more common among high schoolers.
• In a clear sky, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn can be seen shining before dawn. It’s a special opportunity to see Mercury, which is usually obscured from view by the Sun’s bright light. The conjunction was brightest on Friday morning but will remain visible until Monday from most parts of the world. The last time this conjunction happened was 2004 and it won’t be seen again until 2040.
• The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero as the first pick of the 2022 NBA Draft. Banchero, 19, played for Duke University, averaging 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 39 starts.

Happy Thursday and Happy National Hydration Day! Today reminds us to drink more water. With the heat waves that have been coming through it is important for us to replace the fluids lost. 💧

In This Issue: Life Lessons | Cisco Aironet Flush Ceiling Grid Clip | Your Guide to Cisco Catalyst Switches | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Life Lessons

Good morning and Happy Thursday, everyone!

I hope your week has been going fantastic. Man, it has been HOT here in Georgia already. This humidity is ridiculous! It really makes me appreciate Fall & Winter a lot more! Haha!

A friend sent me an email from one of his clients and I thought that it was really full of a lot of wisdom and it resonated with me and where I am at right now. Pretty much they mentioned lessons from life that he learned in life that he wished his younger self knew. It really got me thinking and I figured I would pass along the points in it.

1. The future is so bright. It may seem daunting and uncertain, but you will be prepared for the challenges and you will be able to navigate them and come out stronger on the other side.
2. You are more than enough. You don’t need to be perfect, just be present in all the moments of your life. Use your God-given talents and gifts to make a difference wherever you go.
3. There is a calling designed just for you. Pursue it with all your heart and when you find it, you will find a purpose that stirs your soul.
4. Decisions determine your path. Every decision you make influences the trajectory of your future. Make them carefully and seek wise counsel.
5. Life is a journey and it passes faster than you could ever imagine. Live in the moment and don’t rush to the next destination. It will come soon enough.
6. Never stop learning. Read the book. Listen to the podcast. Take the course. Learning is critical to fully living.
7. Collect people, not possessions. We were made for relationships and they will contribute to our happiness far more than any possession.
8. Give your life away. It is in the giving of your time, talent, and treasure in service to others that you will find joy.
9. Make mistakes and then own them. You will learn more from taking the risk and others will respect you for the flaws you acknowledge.
10. Let it go. Very few things are really in your control, so don’t worry so much. Live into every day focused on your purpose, pursuing your mission, and staying true to your values. It will all be ok.

Have a great rest of the week and weekend! Make the most of it!

Jason

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

With the Cisco Aironet Flush Ceiling Grid Clip, flush mounting your device is simple. The installation process is quick, with the clip easily fastening to the tile ceiling system where it is being installed. This clip is compatible with the Cisco Aironet 3500e, 3500i, 1260, 1140, and 1040.

If the ceiling tiles are flush with the ceiling grid, the clip offers a snug and secure fit between the ceiling and the access point. It offers a secure mount feature, ensuring the device attached will not fall or loosen while providing a space-saving design. With this clip, you can feel confident that once it is mounted, you do not have to worry about it again, which is beneficial in a fast-moving environment where efficiency is key.

---

Learning Center Article – Your Guide to Cisco Catalyst Switches

A network is only as effective as its weakest link. When you have heavy demands, you need good options to meet and exceed those demands. Cisco has been providing top-quality options for every network design for decades. This overview will introduce you to some of the most common, versatile and widely-used switches Cisco has to offer.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Ohio State University has successfully received a trademark on the word “THE.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office approved Ohio State’s application Tuesday by issuing a registration certificate. It allows Ohio State to control the use of “THE” on “clothing, namely, t-shirts, baseball caps, and hats; all of the foregoing being promoted, distributed, and sold through channels customary to the field of sports and collegiate athletics.”
• A Yorkshire terrier has survived a terrifying ordeal involving a bald eagle intent on making a meal of the pooch. The accompanying footage, captured by a doorbell camera in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, shows the Yorkie, named Coco, crying out as a shadow appears overhead and the eagle swoops down to grab her from a porch.
• At Amazon’s Re: Mars conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, the company demonstrated a feature that enables its Alexa voice assistant to emulate any voice. The feature, which is still in development, could be used to replicate a family member’s voice, even after they’ve died.
• American artistic swimmer Anita Alvarez was in danger of drowning after losing consciousness in the pool at the world championships in Budapest, Hungary, on Wednesday before being rescued by her coach Andrea Fuentes.