Archives for September 2024

Happy Friday! We are continuing to pray for those impacted by Hurricane Helene. We hope that the weekend brings a time of relief, rest, and restoration for many.

In This Issue: The Evolution of Phones | Deal of the Day | DB9 Male to RJ45 Female Modular Adapter | Why Managed PoE Switches Matter | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The Evolution of Phones

Happy Friday!

It’s amazing to think about how far phones have come in such a short time. What started as bulky “bricks” with antennas and basic calling features has evolved into sleek, pocket-sized powerhouses that are more computer than phone. We’ve gone from simple voice calls to video chats, texting to instant messaging, and now we have a world of apps and information at our fingertips.

This rapid evolution in mobile technology is a perfect reminder of how innovation drives our everyday lives. What has been your favorite era of phones?

The CK Team

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Choose your own pin-out with our modular adapters! This DB9 Male to RJ45 Female modular adapter allows a variety of pin-out configurations, making it versatile and cost-effective.

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Learning Center Article – Enhance Security and Scalability: Why Managed PoE Switches Matter

In today’s technology-dependent world, businesses require powerful networking solutions to handle the ever-increasing demand for connected devices. A managed PoE switch not only provides seamless data transmission but also powers devices like IP cameras, wireless access points, and VoIP phones over the same network cables.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• When the 3,600-year-old coffin of a young woman was excavated in northwestern China two decades ago, archeologists discovered a mysterious substance laid out along her neck like a piece of jewelry. It was made of cheese, and scientists now say it’s the oldest cheese ever found. Read more here.
• Kraft Heinz’s A.1. Steak sauce is expanding its presence by bringing a condiment to the dairy aisle with Steakhouse Butter.
• Nestlé’s Nespresso is moving from its signature coffee brewer to the can with its first ready-to-drink product.
• Pesto the huge king penguin chick has drawn hundreds of visitors to an Australian aquarium, and now the bird can count Katy Perry as one of his biggest fans. Read more here.

Happy Thursday! As Hurricane Helene is making is following it’s path, we are praying for all who have already been impacted and may be impacted by this storm.

In This Issue: Staying Connected | Deal of the Day | 19″ 4 Post Open Frame Rack | Differences between Access Port and Trunk Port | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Staying Connected

Happy Thursday!

There’s nothing quite like a beach vacation! Picture this: warm sun, the soothing sound of waves, and endless relaxation. Add in a round of golf with friends, and you’ve got the perfect vacation. That’s what I’ve been up to lately!

We normally try to plan a trip every year with our friends as we live on opposite sides of the county but it’s always great to get together for a round of golf and some friendly banter because none of us are very good. These moments of fun and connection remind us why we cherish time with friends.

How do you make sure you take time to stay connected with friends?

Sterling

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This rack can be fitted with all standard rack or cabinet shelves, panels, or cable management accessories. It has a fixed width of 19″ and the depth is adjustable from 24″ to 36″ deep in 1″ increments.

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Learning Center Article – Differences between Access Port and Trunk Port

In the intricate realm of network architecture, differentiating between access ports and trunk ports is crucial for efficient VLAN management. Each type of port serves a unique purpose, influencing how data travels and is segmented across the network. A clear understanding of their roles can significantly boost both network performance and security.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• SONIC Drive-In is set to add a Halloween twist to its 2024 autumn menu with the introduction of the Witch’s Brew Slush Float in the US market.
• The U.S., France and other allies jointly called Wednesday for an immediate 21-day cease-fire to allow for negotiations in the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
• In preparation for leaf-peeping season, Virginia State Parks have equipped all 43 managed properties with special viewfinders for the colorblind.
• Southwest Airlines raised its third-quarter revenue forecast and announced its board authorized $2.5 billion in share buybacks and detailed a host of changes to its business model.

Happy Wednesday! We’re halfway through the week. Keep powering through those to-do lists and hanging in there. The weekend is just around the corner!

In This Issue: Do you have a green thumb? | Deal of the Day | Dell N743D 10G, SR, SFP+ Transceiver Module | Understanding Client-Server Networks | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Do you have a green thumb?

Happy Wednesday!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and a great week so far! I’m not sure that I’ve shared this before but I am a bigggggg plant gal. Indoor/porch plants, that is! My plants and I have been through several moves together and I think my favorite part about each of them is that they all have a story! I’ve gotten them from the various places I’ve visited and it’s so fun remembering each place and the memory of getting them.

Anywho – on my recent trip to visit my parents in the Florida Keys we went to my favorite place to visit, Island Home. This place is incredible. It’s basically a massive plant garden with all the plants you could ever imagine. On this particular day, they had a clearance section of a ton of plants that just looked like they needed a little extra TLC that they were selling at a very steep discounted price. Fiddle Leaf Fig trees are always plants that speak to me. They are so pretty, simple to understand, and look pretty in your home. I’ve always wanted one that has more than one limb or sprout of growth on it, on that had branches. Well it was my lucky day! In this clearance section, they had the perfect one! It has 4 limbs with several branches growing out and she’s a beauty. Now, she needs some love…but in no time, I’ll have her looking good as new!

Do you have a green thumb? What are all of your plant tricks/hacks?

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Dell N743D is a 10 Gigabit SFP+ transceiver module that provides 10GBase-SR connectivity using multi-mode fiber (MMF). This transceiver module features duplex LC connectors and operates on an 850nm wavelength. This module is also hot-swappable so it can be switched out with ease.

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Learning Center Article – The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Client-Server Networks

In today’s digitally interconnected world, client-server networks have become the backbone of modern businesses. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show on Netflix or accessing critical data in the cloud, client-server networks are at work behind the scenes, ensuring the seamless flow of information. But what exactly are client-server networks, and why are they essential for businesses?

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• OpenAI said Tuesday that it’s started rolling out advanced voice mode for ChatGPT. It’s available for users with ChatGPT subscriptions, which start at $20 per month.
• Marking the latest foray into space exploration, NASA is preparing to launch its first mission to explore Jupiter’s moon, Europa, to determine if it harbors conditions suitable to support life. NASA’s Europa Clipper is set to launch on Oct. 10 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and will be carried into orbit on SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket.
• Come December, M&M’s Peanut Butter & Jelly will be joining the candy aisle. The first new flavor since 2022!
• Google said in an antitrust complaint that Microsoft uses unfair licensing contracts in its Azure cloud computing business to stifle competition.

Happy Tuesday & Happy National Punctuation Day! From commas, semi-colons, to the love of exclamation points – today we celebrate all things punctuation. 🥳

In This Issue: Quirky Adventures | Deal of the Day | Yealink Busylight | The Expert Guide to 100G Switches | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Quirky Adventures

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is having a great week so far! Can you believe we’ve officially made it to Fall!? It still very much feels like Summer around here, but I’m hopeful for some cooler, cozier days ahead!

This weekend was full of quirky adventures for me as I went to check out the Museum of Illusions in Atlanta on Saturday. It is quite the experience with all sorts of exhibits that play tricks on your eyes! One of the exhibits called the Ames Room makes it look like you are shrinking or growing as you walk across the room. It’s all about perspective but is pretty mind-blowing to see in action! Our favorite was the Vortex Tunnel which is a space-like spinning tunnel that you walk through and it completely messes with your sense of balance. They tell you to hold onto the handrails and I can see why! It’s a must-try if you make the visit!

Sunday was a different kind of adventure as I took my nieces to Babyland General in Cleveland, GA. It’s the home of the Cabbage Patch Kids. It’s a very quirky, unique place but is full of childhood magic! It’s set up like a hospital and nursery and has a giant tree where the Cabbage Patch kids “grow” out of cabbage at the base of the tree. They even have nurses who help “deliver” the dolls right in front of them which they loved! They each got to pick a baby to “adopt” and bring home with them. It was so fun to watch the joy on their faces throughout the whole experience!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Yealink BLT60 busylight allows users to let others know they are on a call to reduce interruptions and increase productivity! This busylight comes with a 1.8 meter cord which allows users to place the light wherever they please on their desk so that it can be easily seen by others. This busylight will also flash red when a call is coming in. This can allow users who are not near their desk to identify that they are receiving a call and return to their desk to answer it.

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Learning Center Article – The Expert Guide to 100G Switches

In today’s world, businesses need fast, reliable, and scalable networks to keep up with the growing demands of new technologies. With more data being used due to cloud computing, AI, data analytics, and remote work, having a high-performance network is essential. That’s where the 100G switch comes in. It helps transform your network into one that’s faster and more efficient.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• New Zealand scientists discover new ‘spookfish’ living deep in the Pacific.
• After a little more than a dozen years and a couple of substantial price chops, former Chicago Bulls superstar Michael Jordan has officially landed a contract for a sprawling mega-mansion he owns in the Highland Park suburb of Chicago, about 2 miles west of Lake Michigan.
• The Defense Department plans to send a few dozen U.S. troops to the Middle East in the coming days to be ready to help Americans flee a region bracing for a significant escalation in the simmering conflict between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
• Tropical Storm Helene could form later today and it is forecast to strengthen into a major hurricane before it strikes Florida or the northern Gulf Coast later this week.

Happy Monday! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. Did you do anything eventful? We’d love to hear about it. Cheers to a great week ahead!

In This Issue: Trenches, Technology, and Time with Friends | Deal of the Day | Rack Mount Cage Nuts with Screws | FAQ: What is an Auto-sensing Ethernet Port | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Trenches, Technology, and Time with Friends

Happy Monday!

I spent time helping to dig out a rather long trench to install drainage pipes at our new church building site this weekend. Luckily we had a small excavator onsite that made quick work of getting through the dry Georgia red dirt. We had to make sure that the trench was a little under 2 ft deep to start, and then we gradually dug a little deeper as we went on so that the water would drain properly towards our retention pond. This was some hard manual labor and a lot of us commented that it would have taken a larger team of folks several days to dig something like this with just shovels. I suppose they did this sort of thing back in the day and it’s made me even more thankful for technology! Even though I didn’t do that much digging, I am still sore from Saturday, one of the great perks of aging!

Later that day I went to have dinner with some old friends and made some new ones at a hot pot place. We had some great conversations and played a board game called Space Base afterwards. It was great catching up, but I was super tired. I crashed mostly on Sunday and went to church on Sunday, rounding out a very eventful weekend. Hopefully I’ll recover by this upcoming weekend from all the activity, haha!

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

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Cage nuts and screws are the “nuts and bolts” of your equipment room. They are responsible for making sure your equipment is safely attached to your equipment rack. This particular configuration (cage nuts and 10-32 screws) are not only the most common, but also one of the most flexible configurations.

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Learning Center Article – FAQ: What is an Auto-sensing Ethernet Port

When you’re browsing features and specifications for your networking equipment, you might come across something known as autosensing. What is it, and why does it matter?

It’s a feature specific to Ethernet devices. It’s pretty common these days, but it is important to have on any network that services multiple endpoint devices, and when you know how it works, it can help you plan out your own network that much better.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• M&M’s will release a warming new Toasty Holiday Peanut flavor. The new flavor offering features the deliciously rich taste of roasted peanuts infused with cinnamon, vanilla, spiced sugar, and caramel.
• For the first time in 10 years, Uncrustables has announced a new flavor – Peanut Butter & Raspberry Spread Sandwich.
• Foot Locker celebrated its 50th anniversary this month and is looking to ensure that it will survive in the decades to come after their breakup with Nike.
• Princess Kate has made her first public appearance since announcing that she had completed chemotherapy and would be returning to some public duties. Joined by her husband, Prince William, she was seen attending a Sunday service at Crathie Kirk, a church near the family’s royal Balmoral estate in Scotland.

Happy Friday & Happy Weekend! We hope you had a great week and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend ahead. Have any plans? We’d love to hear about them!

In This Issue: Staying Busy | Deal of the Day | Cisco 2821 Integrated Services Router | All About Ethernet Jacket Ratings | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Staying Busy

Good morning, everyone!

I hope your week has been going well so far. Life is always busy around here with my three kids—two in soccer and the oldest cheering for her middle school team. We’re hopping between games Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. In our downtime, we love spending time with family and friends. We’re also counting down the days until our beach trip during fall break in October—it’s something we’re really looking forward to!

The weather is finally changing, and we’re loving it! I hope you all get a chance to soak it in and enjoy the outdoors too. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week!

Brooke

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco 2800 series is a range of modular routers that provide a range of features for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprise branch offices. It is a modular router that can be configured with a variety of different WAN and LAN interface modules to support a range of networking needs.

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Learning Center Article – All About Ethernet Jacket Ratings

When you’re planning a network, you usually think about the equipment you need and how you can connect it. That’s already plenty to consider, but it turns out that your responsibilities run deeper than that. You also have to think about safety.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amelia is an artificial intelligence tool designed to help third-party sellers quickly resolve issues with their accounts and fetch sales and inventory data. Amazon said it’s launching the product in beta for select U.S. sellers, before introducing it more broadly later this year.
• Apple greeted customers at its stores around the world for the debuts of the iPhone 16, Apple Watch Series 10 and AirPods 4. The new products were announced at an event earlier this month and have been available for pre-order since Sept. 13.
• JetBlue plans to open its first airport lounges in its more than two decades of flying. The first clubs will be at New York’s JFK Airport starting late next year, followed by Boston.
• Cats have nine lives — and apparently they have 900 miles in them, too. Benny and Susanne Anguiano, a couple from Salinas, California, were reunited with their missing cat after he mysteriously traveled that far. Read more here.