Archives for November 2024

Happy Tuesday, animal lovers! 🐾 Today is National Pet Day, so let’s give our furry (or scaly!) friends some extra love. Whether they’re curling up beside you or just being their adorable selves, pets make our lives brighter. Show your pets some love today!

In This Issue: Embracing Gratitude and Joy This Thanksgiving Season! | Deal of the Day | Snap-In Flat Spacer Blank | All About 400G QSFP-DD | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Embracing Gratitude and Joy This Thanksgiving Season!

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is having a great start to the week! Can you believe Thanksgiving is just over a week away?!

This time last year, I was struggling to feel grateful. Life felt heavy, and I really had to work at recognizing and appreciating the blessings in my life. This year, life is still super heavy in many ways, but thankfully, I’m seeing the good more clearly. I’m definitely feeling super grateful these days and it’s been a really nice shift.

Looking ahead to this week and next, I’m feeling excited and thankful for everything going on. Last night, I had dinner with some friends I hadn’t seen in forever, and later this week, we’ll have our CK Thanksgiving. Thursday evening, I get to catch up with some of my favorite former coworkers, and then I’m heading to North Carolina for the weekend. Next week, I’ll wrap it all up by celebrating Thanksgiving with my family and then shifting right into Christmas-mode!

It’s a lot packed into a short time, but it’s all good stuff, and I’m so grateful for it all. I hope this week brings you plenty to be thankful for as well!

Rebecca

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Optimize airflow and enhance the look of your equipment rack with the Kendall Howard 1U Snap-In Flat Spacer Blank. This easy-to-install blanking panel covers open rack slots, supporting better air circulation for cooler, longer-lasting networking equipment. Perfect for racks with fan systems, this spacer helps maintain an organized and professional appearance.

---

Learning Center Article – All About 400G QSFP-DD

When working with data centers, large enterprise networks, or anything else with comparable data demands, you need the best hardware. You can skip looking through bargain bins. You need the type of equipment that pushes the envelope of what engineers can produce at scale.

Naturally, this involves fiber optics for the backbone of your communications, but what kinds of fiber connections will you use?

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Kit Kat Launches Festive New Santa Treat, the Brand’s First Seasonal Shape.
• Study reveals two drinks that protect body against stress and eating fatty foods. Read more here.
• Walmart hikes its outlook again as shoppers spend more outside the grocery aisles.
• McDonald’s is bringing back its Christmas menu for Winters 2024: Items list, where to buy, and more explored here.

Happy Monday and Happy National Compliment Day! Take a moment to share a kind word with a friend, family member, or colleague today. A little compliment goes a long way to brighten someone’s day. Let’s start the week with lots of smiles and positivity!

In This Issue: Stepping Out, Leveling Up, and Finding Joy in New Challenges! | Deal of the Day | Cat5E Ethernet Cable Pull Box | Installing Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Stepping Out, Leveling Up, and Finding Joy in New Challenges!

Happy Monday!

Five weeks left until Christmas, are you ready? But don’t forget about Thanksgiving which is next week! Time feels like it’s flying by, it’ll be 2025 before we know it.

I’ve talked a little bit about the Pokemon Trading Card game here and the past Saturday I managed to go to a cup with 18 players. A cup is a small tournament typically consisting of five single swiss rounds of gameplay lasting 30 mins each round, and then if you are lucky and make top 4, you get to play in the finals consisting of 1 hour long best of three rounds. I was very lucky and fortunate to win enough games to compete in the final round and ended up losing to a very worthy opponent. I’ll take second place any time! My brain was cooked as the kids say at the end of the day, but I definitely had fun and learned a lot that day and made some new friends. I’m really enjoying the competitive side of the game and hope to eventually win a cup and maybe attend one of the larger Regional tournaments which typically have over 2000 competitors.

It was definitely outside my comfort zone going to an event like that with near complete strangers, but it was well worth it. I think as I get older it gets a little harder to go out and meet new people and hang out. A shared hobby seems to have broken the ice a bit. I plan to have the opportunity to do so again. I hope you have the opportunity to do the same!

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

Cris

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Buying cable in bulk provides installers and administrators the ability to run custom lengths and long runs of cable on the fly without having to measure and order appropriately. Bulk cable can also reduce the cost of standard patch cables by allowing cables to be cut and terminated at pennies a cord.

---

Learning Center Article – 5 Key Factors to Keep in Mind While Installing Ethernet Cables

It’s time to install the Ethernet. That means your network planning should be in a good place, and you’re ready to plug in devices and get things running.

For simple networks, this can be a straightforward task that doesn’t take too long or run up costs. In more complicated networks, even installing Ethernet cables can be an ordeal.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The Most Useless Tech Included in Today’s Kitchen Appliances. Learn more here.
• Melt in Your Mouth, Not in Your Jacket: M&M’s Launches Snack-Friendly Winter Wear.
• 24 stylish Christmas home decor delights even the hardest-to-buy-for homebodies should have on their wish list.
• Coca-Cola has announced the return of a nostalgic soft drink brand originally founded in the 1930s. Known for its unique flavors like mandarin pineapple and fruit punch, Barrilitos was discontinued years ago to make way for other imported beverages.

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

In This Issue: Unlocking the Door to Hope | Deal of the Day | Cisco Server Blade | The Essential Plug for Your Electrical Needs | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Unlocking the Door to Hope

Where does hope live in this season of uncertainty? Does it flower in simple acts of kindness, in a human hand uplifting another?

Or is hope found in faith, wrapped in the warmth of family, of community, or simply in the fierce belief in a better tomorrow?

In darkened moments, hope chases away the clouds in a thundering reminder to be grateful for the gifts of life and love.

Hope unlocks and renews purpose with its one true key….The Power of Change.

Aaron J.

---

Deal of the Day

---

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.

---

Learning Center Article – Understanding NEMA 5-15P: The Essential Plug for Your Electrical Needs

When navigating the world of power cords and outlets, the variety of options can be overwhelming. One common type you may encounter is the NEMA 5-15P. This blog provides information on the NEMA 5-15P plug. It explains its features, uses, and why people commonly find it in homes and businesses.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Alibaba rises 3% in premarket after profit beat, despite miss on sales.
• Amazon just announced official Black Friday sale — here’s 43 deals I’d shop right now.
• Festive DIY Hacks & Recipes: Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Holiday Inspirations.
• M&M‘S Unveils First-of-Its-Kind Product Sure to Be a ‘Natural Fit’ This Holiday Season.

The weekend is SO close! Let’s make the most of today and finish the week strong. What’s one thing you’re grateful for this week?

In This Issue: Settling Into the Season | Deal of the Day | Cisco Aironet Power Injector | How to Default a Cisco 9300 Switch? | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Settling Into the Season

Happy November!

It’s holiday AND birthday season for us! We have four birthdays (two I am responsible for!) in addition to Thanksgiving and Christmas within the next 8 weeks! But the good news is that sports are coming to an end so our daily schedule is settling down. My goal every year is to simplify this time of year more and more. I want to make it more about God, family, and friends, and less about stuff.

I hope each of you find the time to spend with yours as well and enjoy this holiday season. We all have so much to be thankful for!

Brooke

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco Power over Ethernet (PoE) injector provides reliable power for Aironet 1300 series access points in challenging environments. It converts a standard 10/100 BaseT Ethernet Cat5 RJ-45 connection to a dual F-type connector, ideal for rugged installations.

---

Learning Center Article – How to Default a Cisco 9300 Switch? Step-by-Step Guide

Resetting a Cisco 9300 switch to factory settings is essential for addressing configuration issues or setting up the device anew. This guide offers a step-by-step approach to effectively default your Cisco 9300, ensuring it operates with a clean slate.

Whether you are a network administrator or a technical enthusiast, understanding how to reset your Cisco 9300 switch is fundamental. This article will provide you with the necessary knowledge to confidently restore your device to its original factory settings.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Disney narrowly beats estimates as streaming boosts entertainment segment.
• Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu.
• Starbucks Is Bringing Back Its Reusable Red Cup Giveaway: ‘A Moment of Holiday Joy All Season Long’.
• Smart ring leader Oura plans international push as CEO touts new features and thinking on hardware.

It’s hump-day! We’re half-way through the week. How’s your to-do list looking? Here’s a tip: If there’s something you’ve been avoiding doing this week, go ahead and knock it out this morning. Trust us, you’ll thank yourself later!

In This Issue: What are you grateful for? | Deal of the Day | USB Cable | VLAN Trunking | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – What are you grateful for?

Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a great week so far. We are approaching a season where the question “What are you grateful for?” is going to be asked quite a bit! And while we should be acknowledging what we are grateful for more than just once per year, I’d like to challenge everyone this morning to write down 5 things they are grateful for. I know, I know…you’re thinking “Ashley, 5 things! Really!?” Yes, 5 things.

I’ll share something quickly – Last week my husband and I attended an evening at church where we were asked to share something we were grateful for out loud. You could see everyone around the room sharing, but most people had a little bit of hesitation sharing as they needed some time to think about what they were grateful for. We were then asked “What are you ungrateful for?” and I have to be honest…I have never felt more convicted. What I was ungrateful for popped into my head immediately without any hesitation. I think the entire room felt the same way as we were asked to share what we were ungrateful for. But here’s the reminder – no matter how small or simple it is, there is always something to be grateful for.

So, to kick us off, here are my 5 things:

1. I am grateful for my little desk-side space heater providing me some heat on this chilly Wednesday morning.
2. I am grateful to hear the giggles of my little guy through the walls running through the house.
3. I am grateful that my husband is able to spend this time with our little one and be the dad he’s always dreamed of being.
4. I am grateful for chats around the island with family and full glasses of egg nog.
5. I am grateful for the option to have a glass of chocolate milk with ice each morning.

Sometimes it’s the little things that we must be grateful for and sometimes there are bigger things but in the end, there’s always something.

Look forward to hearing what you’re grateful for.

Ashley

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily connect printers, scanners, external drives, and other USB peripherals to your PC or Mac with this 6-foot USB 2.0 cable. Featuring A to B male connectors, this cable supports high-speed data transfer up to 480 Mbps for reliable and fast connections. It’s built for quality and durability. Ships fast for quick setup!

---

Learning Center Article – VLAN Trunking Explained

As you get deeper into networking, you’ll want to find ways to boost network metrics without spending a ton of money. Fortunately, there are a lot of techniques that can boost security and performance that don’t require you to replace or add hardware.

One of those techniques is VLAN trunking, and it can substantially improve the flow of data through your network.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Denmark launches landmark framework for using AI under EU rules — with Microsoft backing. Read more here.
• Australia plans to ban social media for under 16s — and experts have called it a ‘momentous step’.
• 9 Best Vegan Ice Cream Chains for Vegans Nationwide. Learn more here.
• Frosty fans rejoice: Wendy’s unveils new flavor for 55th anniversary of the classic treat.

Happy Tuesday! We hope you’re having a great week so far. If there is any way that we can be praying for you this week, please let us know. We’re grateful for this community that we have and grateful for each of you!

In This Issue: Finding Joy and Discipline to Finish the Year Strong! | Deal of the Day | Rack Screws | Temperature Ranges for SFPs | News to Start Your Day

---

The CK Daily – Finding Joy and Discipline to Finish the Year Strong!

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

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how important it is to make time for the things that bring joy and help recharge our energy. For me, one of those things has always been running.

Running has been a constant for me for most of my adult life—a way to build discipline, clear my mind, and find a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s a long run to process my thoughts or a quick jog to reset, it’s my way of stepping back and finding perspective. This year has been kind of crazy and I haven’t prioritized running the way I normally would. I’ve had months where I got to run a lot, and other months where I barely got to run at all.

Over the past couple of months, though, I’ve been working to rebuild some consistency, and have been making good progress. Yesterday, I realized I’ve run 430 miles this year—just 70 shy of the 500 miles I hit last year. While I didn’t set that goal at the start of the year, I’m setting it now: 500 miles in 2024.

I think it’s an attainable goal, but it’s going to take serious dedication to get there! It would be a nice boost to finish the year with a personal “win” and hopefully carry some of that momentum into the new year! Here’s to hitting goals, finding joy, and building discipline one step at a time!

What goal are you chasing to wrap up the year? Let’s finish strong together!

Rebecca

---

Deal of the Day

---

Product Spotlights & Updates

Used to mount network and telecom equipment into standard equipment racks. There are two main types of screws. 10-32 or 12-24. The 12-24 screws account for most applications in the field today. These particular screws have an E-Z start shank. This type of shank is void of threads for the first few “rounds” at the bottom. This allows easy insertion of the screw without having to get it “started” first.

---

Learning Center Article – COM, EXT, IND – Temperature Ranges for SFPs

When you build a network, you primarily focus on hardware that meets certain requirements. It has to be fast enough and able to manage enough traffic for your applications.

In some cases, it might also need durability requirements, and one of the scariest things for sensitive networking equipment (like SFPs) is something as simple as temperature. If it gets too hot or too cold, it can damage your hardware, and your whole network fails.

---

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Red Lobster bets on a millennial makeover. The storied seafood chain has exited bankruptcy and is attempting a comeback under its new 35-year-old CEO.
• Apple will not introduce a smart ring, the CEO of health-tech firm Oura, despite speculation the iPhone giant may be considering a move into this product category.
• Home Depot’s sales are improving, but it says consumers are still cautious about spending. Read more here.
• China’s Alibaba releases AI search tool for small businesses in Europe and the Americas.