Archives for March 2023

Happy Wednesday! We’ve made it halfway through the week. If we can be praying for you in any way, please let us know! Wishing you a great rest of the week ahead.

In This Issue: Tips & Tricks to Traveling | RCA Cable 2-Male to 2-Male | Basics of MPO / MTP Fiber Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Tips & Tricks to Traveling

Good morning CK Family!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far and that you are starting to enjoy this extra day light towards the end of the evening.

Lately, I’ve been doing lots of traveling. Traveling for work, to see family, to go on adventures, for vacation, and more! I’ve always found myself so exhausted from a full day of traveling whether I’m driving or flying and have been trying to find the best ways to navigate away from feeling that way. Do you have any tips?

Overall, travel days can be stressful. If you’re driving and hit traffic, you’re delayed. If you’re flying, the nerves of getting through security always hit me at some point, even if I’m super early. What are your tips and tricks to traveling in hopes for a stress free experience?

Hope you have a great rest of the week!

Ashley

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Product Spotlights & Updates

RCA male to RCA male double cable for audio connections are excellent for professional, industrial, and residential applications where sound quality and durability are important for TV, VCR, DVD, projector, and home theater applications.

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Learning Center Article – Basics of MPO / MTP Fiber Cables

Fiber optic cables drive modern communication. They are the only viable means for arranging the ultra-high-speed systems that run the backbones of digital communication. Long-range internet connectivity is dominated by fiber optic cables. Perhaps more importantly, the massive data processing that goes on at data centers does the majority of the workload for internet communications and digital information handling.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Google announced a series of new health initiatives and partnerships at its annual event called “The Check Up. The Google Health team shared updates about features coming to search, tools for building health apps and the latest in AI-powered health research.
• An iconic pair of Air Jordan sneakers is going up for sale at Sotheby’s. It’s expected to be the most expensive pair of sneakers ever to appear at auction, estimated to sell for between $2 million and $4 million.
• Diamond Sports Group, the largest owner of regional sports networks, filed for bankruptcy protection, toppled by a more than $8 billion debt load.
• Amazon revealed a trio of satellite antennas, as the company prepares to take on SpaceX’s Starlink with its own Project Kuiper internet network. The tech giant will offer a standard, ultra-compact and pro versions of its antennas, with speeds ranging from about 100 megabits per second to as much as 1 gigabit per second.

Happy National Pi Day! 🥧 Today recognized the mathematical constant of pi but is also a good day to enjoy your favorite slice of pie. What’s your favorite flavor of pie to enjoy?

In This Issue: Facts About Daylight Savings | Cisco 2960 Series Catalyst Rack Mount Kit | All Wireless Standards are NOT Created Equal | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Facts About Day Light Savings Time

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great start to the week! The change over to Daylight Savings Time is something I know many people dread (who loves losing an hour of sleep!?) but it’s something I look forward to every year! The longer days and the excitement for spring coming far outweigh feeling a little sleepy for a few days in my mind! That said, I handled it fairly well for the first 2 days but I think it has finally caught up with me this morning! Nothing a little caffeine can’t fix 😉

I can’t take credit for these, but here are a few fun facts I saw on Instagram regarding Daylight Savings! Enjoy!

1. Daylight Saving Time affects night owls more than early birds.
2. Benjamin Franklin first conceived of the idea of daylight savings in 1784.
3. Daylight savings became a national standard in 1966.
4. Arizona and Hawaii are the only two states that don’t observe daylight savings time.
5. Less than 40% of the world observes daylight savings time.

Rebecca

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Product Spotlights & Updates

A couple brackets and some screws is all you really need to update your switch. The Cisco 2960 Series Catalyst Rack Mount Kit is compatible with a variety of models and designed to help you mount your switches for safety and efficiency. Make more room in your network with our rack mount kits and other optional accessories. The choice is a no-brainer for your IT department.

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Learning Center Article – All Wireless Standards are NOT Created Equal

Everything is wireless these days so upgrading your Wi-Fi hardware is critical to future-proofing your network. When the time for new components is at hand, it is important to select the products that fully support your communication and data transfer needs. From fiber cabling to Wi-Fi routers, the choices abound and each one can have a direct impact on your overall network performance. Despite very similar nomenclature, the varying forms of 802.11 are all quite different.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• SpaceX plans to begin testing its Starlink satellite-to-cell service with T-Mobile this year.
• Rivian and Amazon are in discussions to adjust the exclusivity clause of their agreement for the EV maker’s electric delivery trucks. Rivian last month touted 10 million packages delivered via the Amazon vans.
• The Biden administration is asking Congress to pass legislation that would ban airlines from charging fees for families who are traveling with children under the age of 14 to sit together, its latest attempt to crack down on add-on charges for consumers.
• Amazon revealed a trio of satellite antennas, as the company prepares to take on SpaceX’s Starlink with its own Project Kuiper internet network.

Happy Monday & Happy National Napping Day! What better day than the Monday after daylight savings to have an excuse to take a nap! 😉

In This Issue: Spring Markets | HPE Aruba 530 Series Indoor Access Point | Choosing the Right Network Card | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Spring Markets

Good Monday morning!

Spring is almost here! On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a Spring festival of sorts in the city I grew up in. It was a bit chilly in the morning but warmed up through the afternoon. The festival was a fundraising event for the high school baseball team and had a good selection of vendors.

It was a tasting festival where you purchased tickets to try different small dishes at different restaurant booths. My kids enjoyed getting their faces painted and the inflatable bounce houses and slides. I enjoyed different types of tacos and some great spicy hummus!

I love going to these outdoor town festivals, in a way this one felt different. Things seem to be getting back to what they were pre-pandemic, it makes a world of a difference seeing people’s faces, rather than talking to them behind a mask while they are wearing a mask. There’s an uncanny anonymity feeling that I’ve never quite gotten used to while wearing a mask, as if I were a nameless machine talking to another nameless machine.

The cold weather has come back with a vengeance today, reminding us Spring has not quite made its debut, so I’ll be enjoying two cups of coffee this morning (to help with the time change). I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Aruba 530 Series of Indoor Access Points were designed to provide an optimized user experience offering a combined peak data rate of up to 2.97 Gbps. These AP’s maximize Wi-Fi efficiency to deliver both speed and reliability for users. The 530 series of campus access points is suitable for high-density mobile as well as IoT deployments.

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Learning Center Article – Choosing the Right Network Card

When you think about networking, there’s a lot of focus on switches, panels, racks, cables, and the backbone infrastructure that makes it all work.

It’s easy to forget about devices that enable individual networking components to function. One such case is a network interface card (NIC). They allow your computerized devices to connect to the network, so they’re absolutely essential. Many devices have NICs built into them, which is why they are easy to overlook. But, there are times when you need to purchase NICs. When that happens, this guide will help you choose the right option.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Ford is recalling 18 electric F-150 Lightning pickups that the company has identified as potentially having a battery cell defect that caused a truck to catch fire last month.
• According to the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing can resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliners as early as next week. Boeing said it completed the work on the wide-body jetliners required in order to resume deliveries, which were halted Feb. 23 after a data-analysis error was detected.
• Ukraine and Russia have reported inflicting heavy losses as the battle for Bakhmut rages on. Moscow has been trying to take the eastern Ukrainian city for months in a grinding war of attrition. Read more here. 
• Regulators approved plans Sunday to backstop both depositors and financial institutions associated with Silicon Valley Bank. Officials will unwind both SVB and Signature Bank, ensuring that depositors will have full access to their funds on Monday. The Federal Reserve stepped in with a separate facility that will provide loans up to one year for institutions affected by the bank failures.

Happy Friday & Happy National Mario Day! Today is dedicated to one of the most iconic video game characters of all time, Mario! Today is the perfect day to play your favorite Mario games to pay tribute to the plumber who has entertained generations of gamers. 🍄

In This Issue: Wins in 2014 & 9 Years Later | Yealink SIPT57W IP Desk Phone | PVC vs LSZH vs OFNP vs OFNR Cable Jackets | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Wins in 2014 & 9 Years Later!

Happy Friday, folks! What happened in the year 2014?

• The Winter Olympics were in Sochi
• Gangnam Style reached 2 billion views on Youtube
• The Seahawks won the Super Bowl
• A customer purchased a switch from us

The last one may seem like a small event, but here is what it means for you. The switch that was purchased in 2014 recently died. And you know what we did? We shipped them a replacement, just like we always do! Nine years later! That’s what we mean by lifetime. 😀

Another customer, Jeff, recently said, “Always fast to quote and can’t beat a lifetime warranty on gear! – definitely the first place I shop for network equipment.”

In case you’re wondering, the Lifetime Warranty also covers servers and all internal components. We know that hard drives, power supplies, and fans are the most common things to die. Call us, and we’ll send out a replacement ASAP!

I mean, does it get much better than that?!

Have a great weekend!

Chris

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Equipped with an adjustable and flexible 7-inch multi-point touch screen for much more comfortable viewing according to the needs, this Yealink SIP-T57W is perfect for all busy business professionals. The Yealink SIP-T57W boasts built-in Bluetooth 4.2 and built-in dual-band 2.4G/5G Wi-Fi, the SIP-T57W IP Phone ensures you keep up with modern wireless technology. Its built-in USB 2.0 port allows for USB recording or a direct wired/wireless USB headset or up to three Yealink EXP50 expansion modules connection. Benefitting from these features, the Yealink SIP-T57W is a powerful and expandable office phone that delivers optimum desktop efficiency and productivity.

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Learning Center Article – PVC vs LSZH vs OFNP vs OFNR Cable Jackets

When comparing fiber optics cables, there are a lot of different components and considerations. One important component is the outer jacket of the cable. Outer jackets can be made from a number of materials, and generally speaking, the jacket materials can work with any fiber cable type. That means that choosing the right cable jacket is often independent of choosing the fiber setup.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The Girl Scouts are frustrated over production problems at their main baking partner, Little Brownie Bakers, which is owned by Italian confection maker Ferrero. The baker has struggled to keep pace with cookie demand due to supply chain issues, labor shortages and weather-related power outages. The inventory woes have led to sagging sales for local Girl Scout troops.
• Apple Music Classical will launch on March 28 and will boast five million unique tracks to start.
• Silvergate Capital announced that it will wind down operations and liquidate its bank. The firm has served as one of two main banks for the crypto industry, along with Signature Bank. All deposits will be fully repaid, according to a liquidation plan shared.
• General Motors is offering buyouts to salaried employees in the U.S. and some global executives in order to cut $2 billion in costs over the next two years as they make the transition to electric vehicles.

Happy Thursday & Happy National Meatball Day! It’s not clear how this day got started but it’s a popular one. There are so many different ways to enjoy a delicious meatball – in pasta, on a sub, and the list goes on. What’s your favorite way to enjoy them?

In This Issue: Remembering to Rest | 800mA Universal AC/DC Adapter with Six Interchangeable Plugs | What is a Cat8 Ethernet Cable and How is it Different? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Remembering to Rest

Good Morning!

This past weekend, I spent in bed! I was so exhausted from traveling and going out every day that God just sat me down! I am grateful because I was able to catch up on some well-needed rest. My fiance and I binged the Hunger Games series and we stayed in all weekend long.

I honestly only remember watching those movies. The rest of the time I was in a Nyquil-induced coma trying to eliminate my cold symptoms! When I finally thought about it, I had been in the motions for a few weeks without taking a break to get some rest. It definitely caught up with me.

I think now is a good time to ask yourself, when was the last time YOU rested? Is your tank close to E? Remember to take some time to rest this week. It will likely save you from an icky weekend in.

Joi

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Product Spotlights & Updates

How often have you wasted time looking for the right adapter for a piece of equipment and come up with everything but the one you need? The 800mA Universal AC/DC Adapter includes six plugs that can be used on any device. This universal adapter converts 110 volts AC current in your house to DC, allowing you to use this adapter for any kind of 800mA equipment. Use this universal adapter with cordless phones, portable CD and DVD players, calculators and computer accessories like modems, routers, USB hubs and more.

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Learning Center Article – What is a Cat8 Ethernet Cable and How is it Different?

Cat8 is the most modern, fastest Ethernet cable standard available today. Although Google tried to make fiber optics the standard for home internet connections, Ethernet has maintained a presence, and every few years new iterations are released that offer better performance. Let’s see how Cat8 stacks up to previous iterations of Ethernet.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• 3D-printing specialist Relativity Space postponed the first attempt at its debut rocket launch. The company’s Terran 1 rocket is set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission marks the most significant test yet of the company’s ambitious manufacturing approach.
• Roku said it will sell its company-made smart TVs exclusively at Best Buy locations and its website. 
• Total sales at the Amelia Island auction reached $178.4 million — a record for the event, topping the 2016 record of $140 million, according to classic-car insurance and events company Hagerty. Over 390 cars sold, at an average price of $455,293, up from $435,939.
• The Curiosity rover just sent back a stunning postcard capturing its view of a shimmering sunset on Mars.

Happy Wednesday! We are halfway through the week and we hope that your to-do list is shrinking as you gear up for the weekend. Wishing you full pots of coffee and a successful end to your week this week!

In This Issue: Getting Back into the Swing of Things | MTP® Cable 12-Strand Corning ClearCurve®, OM4 | Benefits of Cisco 3850 Switches | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Good morning all!

Boy, do I wish I was back in the Florida Keys this week! Coming back to the full swing of work after a week off is tough! It’s hard to attempt to ignore the incoming emails during the week off and stinks to work through them when you come back – but the time off was very much enjoyed.

We spend the week kayaking our way around, manatee spotting, fish feeding, sunset watching, book reading, snorkeling and much more. It was truly the first time in quite some time I’ve had time off where I can say that I actually relaxed and felt rested.

Do you have any upcoming vacations or time off planned? How do you make sure that you make the most of your time off?

Hope you have a great rest of the week!

Ashley

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Our MTP Elite® line of fiber cables features high-performance US Conec MTP Elite® connectors for the ultimate in functionality and reliability. This highly versatile line of cables are made with Corning ClearCurve® glass and removable housings which allow users to change the gender of the cable in the field. Additionally, they feature a floating ferrule design which helps to improve mechanical performance by allowing two mated ferrules to maintain physical contact even while under an applied load.

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Learning Center Article – Benefits of Cisco 3850 Switches

Sometimes, designing a network is complicated. You’re trying to squeeze power and resources out of what you have while minimizing costs and maximizing reliability. It’s an equation with constantly changing variables, and it’s enough to keep network engineers and administrators busy for their entire careers.

You need to push Ethernet and traditional wireless beyond what they normally do. The goal is straightforward, and that makes a solution easy to find. For such a project, you need Cisco 3850 switches.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The White House threw its support behind a new bipartisan Senate bill that would give the Biden administration the power to ban TikTok in the U.S.
• On Monday, Georgia Power announced that the Vogtle nuclear reactor Unit 3 has started a nuclear reaction inside the nuclear reactor. Technically, this is called “initial criticality” and is when the nuclear fission process has started splitting atoms, generating heat. Vogtle’s Unit 3 reactor will be fully in service in May or June. The last time a nuclear reactor reached the same milestone was almost seven years ago when the Tennessee Valley Authority started splitting atoms at the Watts Bar Unit 2 reactor in Tennessee.
• The Justice Department sued to block JetBlue Airways’ $3.8 billion proposed takeover of budget carrier Spirit Airlines.
• The battle of Bakhmut continues to dominate news out of Ukraine this week, with all eyes on the fate of the city in Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The leader of Russia’s mercenary forces fighting in Bakhmut said Wednesday that his private military company, the Wagner Group, had taken full control of the eastern part of the city.