Archives for May 2023

Happy Wednesday! Today is a special day filled with contagious joy and positivity as we celebrate National Smile Day. From ear-to-ear grins to warm, heartfelt expressions, smiles have the remarkable ability to brighten our world and uplift spirits. Be sure to share some smiles today!

In This Issue: Conquering Goals | Keystone Wall Plate | What does AWG mean for Ethernet patch cables? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Conquering Goals

Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a great week. As we find ourselves nearing the halfway mark of the year, it’s hard not to marvel at the speed at which time seems to fly by. It feels like just yesterday we were setting resolutions for the year ahead. So now feels like the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the progress we have made toward accomplishing those goals and if you haven’t made any progress, that’s okay too!

The goals I set at the beginning of the year feel quite a bit off track for me at this point. I’ve got some time to catch up, but also am not being too hard on myself if I don’t quite live up to the expectations I set for myself. While that may feel defeating to me at times, I have to realize that I’ve also accomplished so much more than I thought possible so far this year, and can only imagine what will come in the remaining 7 months of the year!

Cheers to conquering goals and achieving unknown ones along the way!

Ashley

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Keystone plates offer maximum versatility because you can add, reduce or simply change the connections needed on the plate. They offer the best way to install the variety of today’s wiring and cabling. This is the perfect solution for terminating your in-wall wiring.

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Learning Center Article – What does AWG mean for Ethernet patch cables?

AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. It is the common measurement used in the U.S. and Canada to determine the thickness of a wire made for electrical purposes. First established in 1857, AWG originally measured basic solid wire. Now it is used to measure stranded wire as well, which can lead to some confusion when looking at a cable to determine AWG. Stranded wire contains air pockets, which can make a cable look much bigger than it is.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Memorial Day air travel topped 2019 levels. The TSA said it screened nearly 9.8 million people over the weekend. 
• NASA released new jaw-dropping images of the universe in stunning detail. The images were enhanced using data from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The images show two galaxies, a star cluster, and a nebula light-years away. 
• A fire erupted at an oil refinery in southern Russia’s Krasnodar region on Wednesday after a likely drone attack. Governor Venyamin Kondratyev wrote on Telegram that there were no casualties and the blaze at the Afipsky oil refinery had been put out after burning for a few hours.
• North Korea said it failed to launch its first spy satellite into space, in a blow to the nuclear-armed state’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities amid growing tensions with its neighbors and the United States.

Happy Tuesday! Celebrate the power of imagination and innovation – it’s National Creativity Day! Today honors the boundless potential within each of us to think differently, dream big, and bring our unique ideas to life. Whether you’re an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or simply someone with a passion for exploring new horizons, this day is a reminder to embrace your creative spirit and let your imagination soar.

In This Issue: The Convenience of Telemedicine | Cisco 40GBase-SR Bi-Directional QSFP Module | What is Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing Technology | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Convenience of Telemedicine

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend and took some time to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy our freedom today! It’s such a somber holiday, but so important to take time out intentionally each year to reflect on the bravery and selflessness of those who gave all for us to enjoy the life we do today. There is no “thank you” big enough!

While I wish I could write about what a fun long weekend it was, the reality is that I unfortunately was sick all weekend! I started feeling “off” on Saturday with low energy and a sore throat, and by Sunday I was running a pretty high fever complete with a throbbing headache, while still dealing with a sore throat. I’ve continued with these symptoms ever since and am so ready to be feeling better! I did finally take advantage of the convenience of telemedicine and saw a doctor from the comfort of my couch. She suspected strep throat and prescribed me antibiotics which I just started last night… really hoping they work and provide some relief soon!

Rebecca

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The QSFP-40G-SR-BD Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) bi-directional transceiver module is one of Cisco’s most innovative products to date. The technology leveraged in these modules allows for 40Gbps of bidirectional connectivity over OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber. These modules utilize two 20Gbps channels which transmit and receive on the same strand at the same time. This module is an excellent solution for those looking to migrate to a 40G network while using your existing 10G duplex LC MMF cabling infrastructure.

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Learning Center Article – What is Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing Technology

No matter what kind of network you maintain, you always have the same demands: more speed, less cost, and larger capacity. For any network with heavy demands on data and/or distance, this always results in implementing fiber optics. This is a technology that grows and shifts every day, and it can be exhausting to stay on top of the mountains of information out there.

To help with that, a few simple explanations of popular fiber optic tech can make your life a lot easier. In that effort, today’s lesson is on CWDM technology. It’s one of several fiber optic cable choices and can fill many roles.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Ford Motor will partner with Tesla on charging initiatives for its current and future electric vehicles.
• My Photo Stream, the free cloud-based photo syncing feature Apple launched in 2011, will be shutting down on July 26th. 
• Moscow has been hit by drones in what appears to be the first attack on residential areas of the Russian capital since the invasion of Ukraine.
• An Australian man bitten on the head by a crocodile while snorkeling in the sea off far north Queensland escaped the unusual attack by prizing open the reptile’s jaws. Read more here. 

Happy Friday! We hope you have a wonderful long weekend enjoying time with family and friends. 🇺🇸

In This Issue: Happy Memorial Day! | Cisco Meraki MX64W Security Appliance | Cisco Catalyst Upgrade Path: 3750G to 3750X to 3850 to 9300 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Friday! I’m sure I’m not the only one looking forward to a long weekend. I’m excited to spend time with friends and family around the pool and grill some meat (maybe multiple types of meat, haha). As we can enjoy this long weekend, I encourage us not to forget why we’re celebrating this week. I’m thankful for those we honor on this Memorial Day weekend!

I think back to a story in the book of Joshua. After the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, God instructed them to set up a memorial using 12 stones declaring the mighty works of God. Memorials are a powerful reminder of where we came from for future generations!

What is a way that you remember a milestone in your life?

Have a great weekend!

Chris

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco Meraki MX family of devices are multifunctional security & SD-WAN etnerprise appliances that feature a wide range of capabilities to address a wide variety of use cases – from an all-in-one device. . Organizations of all sizes and across all industries rely on the MX to deliver secure connectivity to hub locations or multi-cloud environments, as well as application quality of experience (QoE), through advanced analytics with machine learning.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Catalyst Upgrade Path: 3750G to 3750X to 3850 to 9300

Enterprise networking comes with plenty of challenges. It’s always nice when tools and resources can make things easier.

One great resource is a developed upgrade path. While a certain switch might work in the beginning, a growing business will need better equipment at some point. For enterprise work, you might begin with the Cisco Catalyst 3750G series. It offers affordable performance and is a great tool for many small and medium businesses.

As demand grows, you will find a natural upgrade path as follows: 3750G > 3750X > 3850 > 9300. You can take a deeper dive into this upgrade path and see the specific capabilities of each series in the list.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• JPMorgan Chase is developing a ChatGPT-like software service that leans on a disruptive form of artificial intelligence to select investments for customers.
• DirecTV has struck a multiyear deal with EverPass Media to commercially provide the NFL’s “Sunday Ticket” package. The agreement allows continuity for bars and restaurants, which have used DirecTV to bring out-of-market games to crowds on Sundays in previous years.
• A Russian missile has hit the medical center in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro, officials said, just hours after a heavy overnight assault on the surrounding region.
• The Little Mermaid is singing some high notes tonight of $10M+ in previews. Should that figure exceed $10.8M it will represent the 6th highest preview performance among PG and G-rated titles in motion picture history. 

Get ready to put on your dancing shoes and join the rhythmic revelry because today marks a day of toe-tapping joy and infectious merriment! It’s National Tap Dance Day, a time when the nation comes alive with the infectious beats and fancy footwork of this dance form.

In This Issue: Lessons Learned While Away | MTP® Cable 12-Strand Corning ClearCurve® | Best Practices for Cable Management in Data Centers | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Lessons Learned While Away

Good Morning everyone!

Some of you know, for the past six months, I’ve been on a journey. And boy, has been a time of incredible personal growth! I’ve learned so much about myself and life in general. Plus, I’ve made some amazing friends and connections along the way. Now, as I get ready to pack up the car and embark on the almost never-ending 24-hour journey back home, there are a bunch of things I can’t wait for. Of course, seeing friends and family is at the top of the list, but right after that, it’s all about the food. Seriously, I’ve been missing Chick-fil-A like crazy. Unfortunately, there’s no Chick-fil-A around for a solid five hours from where I am now. It’s been such a challenge!

Being away from home gave me the space and freedom to figure out who I really am. I faced all sorts of challenges and discovered strengths and weaknesses I never knew I had. These lessons are gonna stick with me for the rest of my life! I also met some incredible people! Leaving home can be scary, but the friends I’ve made have made this time a lot more bearable. These connections have expanded my horizons, taught me about different cultures, and introduced me to new fun activities like Trivia Night. I can’t wait to find a good trivia spot when I get back home.

Joi

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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 is 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 – Best Practices for Cable Management in Data Centers

Every network administrator in the world has a horror story about cable management. In data centers, those horror stories grow into genuine nightmares. If enough people work on a system for a long enough period of time, the cables will eventually turn into some type of Ethernet vine monster. Only strict adherence to cable management practices can prevent this disaster. The following best practices assume you already know some of the basics. Instead, they’re aimed to help you avoid subtler missteps that occur frequently in modern data centers.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Apple announced a new multibillion-dollar deal with Broadcom to develop 5G radio frequency components in the U.S.
• Microsoft reported that Chinese state-sponsored hackers have compromised “critical” cyberinfrastructure in a variety of industries, including government and communications organizations.
• Tina Turner has died at the age of 83 after a long illness. The singer had a career that spanned decades.
• Virgin Galactic is preparing to launch its first spaceflight in nearly two years. Called Unity 25, the mission represents the company’s fifth spaceflight to date and is the first since launching founder Sir Richard Branson to the edge of space.

Happy Wednesday! We’ve made it through half of the week and the weekend is on the horizon. We’re sending you full coffee pots to help keep you pushing through this week and hope you’re looking forward to a long weekend!

In This Issue: Big Life Celebrations | HP ML350 Generation 8 | Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Big Life Celebrations

Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a great week! This weekend was one for the books as we got to watch my younger brother walk across the big stage and graduate high school! We couldn’t have been more proud of him. We had his graduation on Friday and then gathered together with several family members and friends on Saturday to celebrate him. It was so sweet to see listen to all of the memories that people reflected on with him and to see the intentional gifts they brought to shower him with.

It was an exciting time for my parents as well, as it was their last of three to officially graduate! Come August they will officially earn the “empty nester” title. My mom said it best in that all she could say about how she was feeling is proud. Proud that we have all graduated and have great plans for what’s next, proud that we accomplished what we set our minds to (and still do), and proud that she got to be our biggest cheerleader through every up and down.

I often think back to when I graduated high school and even college and think about how I felt at that time. When I graduated high school, I was terrified but also ready for what was next. I had no clue what I wanted to do when I graduated high school and at that point had just picked a school to attend out of a recommendation to me. When I graduated college, I remember being hopeful but also so sad. Sad that the community I had spent the last 4 years building and growing in was going in all different directions in a blink of an eye. It’s such a strange thing to sit back and reflect on.

Do you remember your graduation day and the emotions that it brought? I’ve encouraged my younger brother to really grab on to those emotions and take them in because while it may not seem like it at the moment, you learn so much from those moments in your life.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Ashley

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The ML350 G8 server is an up-gradable, performance-based, dual processor tower that delivers superior performance and expand-ability. The sixth iteration of the ML350 now has more memory capacity and hard drive compatibility than previous generations.

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Learning Center Article – Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server

As your company’s IT manager, you are required to make many decisions when it comes to selecting which technology you will utilize to best fit the needs of your company. One of the decisions you will be faced with is selecting a server that fits your needs for both price and performance. When it comes to shopping for servers, the options and price ranges are nearly endless.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Peloton unveiled a new marketing strategy designed to capture a new customer base. The company is introducing a new, tiered pricing structure for its digital app that includes a free membership option.
• Netflix said it began alerting customers that their password-sharing days were over. Members can transfer a profile of someone outside of their household so that the person can begin a membership they pay for on their own. Or they can pay an extra fee — $7.99 a month — per person.
• Alternative satellite internet company Astranis has its first spacecraft in orbit and says it’s working “perfectly.”
• Mortgage applications to purchase a home dropped 4% for the week and were 30% lower than the same week one year ago. Applications to refinance a home loan decreased 5% from the previous week and were 44% lower than the same week one year ago.

Happy Tuesday & Happy National Lucky Penny Day! Today brings hope that you’ll experience some great luck throughout the year. But I think the real question is, heads or tails? Does it matter which side you find your penny?

In This Issue: Overcoming Distractions | Cisco Aironet Mounting Bracket | Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Overcoming Distractions

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! If you didn’t get a chance to read Cris’ CK Daily from yesterday, make sure you go back and take a look at it! He talked about the high standard of excellence that our operations team adheres to and it was a well-deserved shout-out – they are an incredible team! 😊

Speaking of excellence, I saw a short video on Instagram the other day that was talking about the difference between people who achieve success in whatever they are pursuing and those who don’t. It argued that successful people are the ones who are able to block out distractions. It said that successful people keep a laser-like focus on the 1 thing they’re trying to achieve and they don’t get sidetracked by anything else that begs for their attention. I thought it was interesting because we live in a world so full of distractions that it’s easy to spend all of our time mindlessly bouncing from one “random” distraction to another. This is not to say that all distractions are “bad”. Sometimes distractions can be good and necessary things, but things that should be addressed at a different time.

I have found myself falling into the distraction trap more times than I’d like to admit, but I’m feeling inspired to try and keep a laser-like focus on whatever task or goal I’m trying to achieve. I had already started putting my phone away for extended periods of time during the day, but I think I may try to get a bit more granular with time blocking and start setting daily objectives and time blocks for which I’d like to complete them by. If you have any tips for beating distractions please let me know! I’d love to hear them!

Rebecca

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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.

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Learning Center Article – Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber Cables

Fiber optics are essential for building the most capable networks, but when making design choices, there are plenty of options that serve fiber optics in general. One of the primary choices available to any network engineer exists between single-mode fiber and multimode fiber.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Paramount plans to launch its combined streaming services Paramount+ and Showtime in the U.S. on June 27th.
• SpaceX is set to join the Federal Aviation Administration as a co-defendant to fight an environmental lawsuit brought after the first Starship test flight.
• Walmart is partnering with veterinary telehealth provider Pawp to offer Walmart+ subscribers free access to virtual veterinarians for a year.
• Last week, Montana became the first U.S. state to ban TikTok over allegations the Chinese government can use the app for intelligence-gathering operations. TikTok filed a lawsuit Monday in the United States District Court for the District of Montana to try and reverse the ban.