Archives for December 2025

Wishing you a happy New Year filled with joy and fresh beginnings. Please note that our office will be closed on January 1st as we celebrate the holiday. We look forward to connecting with you in the new year! 🎉

In This Issue: A Sweet Christmas and a Gentle Shift to the New Year | Deal of the Day | Surge Protector Power Strip | Interconnect and Cross Connect Basics | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Sweet Christmas and a Gentle Shift to the New Year

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is enjoying a little time relaxing during this last week of the year!

I had a really sweet Christmas this year. I got to have my nieces over for a few days before Christmas and we tried to make the most of our time. We did some shopping, lots of eating, and enjoyed some Christmas festivities in a neighboring town. On Christmas Eve we did our traditional family gathering where we eat a breakfast dinner and open presents. It’s always such a joy to watch the kids open their things and see the pure joy and excitement on their faces!

Christmas day was pretty low key for us. Normally we get together with my extended family, but it just didn’t work out this year so we opted for a small, casual family gathering at my house instead. I made sliders and some finger food… nothing special but it was nice to all be together! I’ll admit, though, that I was very tired when all was said and done!

It’s kind of funny how, for all the build up to Christmas, it seems to end so abruptly. I’m already taking down the decorations and starting to shift my focus to the new year. I’ll certainly miss the holiday season, but I’m genuinely excited for what 2026 has in store!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Protect your devices with this compact surge protector power strip featuring six 15A outlets for reliable power distribution. The 3ft cord offers flexible placement, making it ideal for home, office, or workstation setups while safeguarding electronics from power spikes.

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Learning Center Article – Interconnect and Cross Connect Basics for Data Centers

Designing a data center is no easy task. Large numbers of very powerful devices need to be able to communicate freely and securely. There’s a lot to consider. That said, you can break the total design down into smaller elements to make the task more manageable. One way to do that is to learn about connection techniques that can help equipment groups communicate effectively.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• 50M Hulu users hit with ‘auto-cancel’ deadline as Disney absorbs platform. 
• ​US approves license for Samsung and SK Hynix to send chipmaking tools to China in 2026.
• ​​​​​​Meta buys AI startup Manus, adding millions of paying users.

The last Monday of 2025 is here, offering a moment to pause and look back before the new year begins. Whether you are tying up loose ends, setting intentions, or simply enjoying a slower pace, today is a natural checkpoint. How are your preparations for the New Year coming along?

In This Issue: Grateful for the Season and Hopeful for What’s Next | Deal of the Day | Yealink Conference Phone | Campus LAN Switch | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Grateful for the Season and Hopeful for What’s Next

Happy Monday!

We’ve had a really great Christmas break and have enjoyed slowing down a bit as a family. One of our favorite simple things to do has been driving around neighborhoods and checking out everyone’s Christmas lights. It’s one of those traditions that never gets old.

Christmas itself was wonderful. My oldest has been talking about 3D printing since the beginning of the school year, so she was completely shocked and thrilled when she opened a 3D printer on Christmas morning. We’ve been printing things all week and learning firsthand that not every print comes out perfectly. That’s part of the fun though, figuring things out as you go.

The kids also get the joy of celebrating Christmas multiple times. We had celebrations with grandparents, one with a close family friend, and we still have another one coming up. I don’t think they’re complaining about that at all.

I’ve also been doing a bit of reflecting on the year and mentally preparing for 2026. It still sounds like we’re living in the future, but with all the AI and robotics technology coming out, it really does feel that way. On the day after Christmas, our church officially passed its final inspections and received its certificate of occupancy. That was a huge moment. We’ve been working toward this building for about four years, and while there are still a few finishing touches, it’s finally ready to be used. It’s an exciting season for us.

As we head into the new year, I’m feeling really optimistic. 2026 is shaping up to be a great year.

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

The Yealink CP925 is a touch-enabled HD conference phone for small to medium meeting rooms, offering clear, natural audio with 7 built-in microphones. Its sleek, spill-resistant design and fingerprint-resistant display provide easy, professional meeting control, while Bluetooth connectivity supports seamless hybrid UC conferencing.

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Learning Center Article – What is a Campus LAN Switch & How are They Used?

Designing a campus network is not a small task. Just browsing campus LAN switches can feel like a lot of work. There is so much variety that it becomes difficult to pick which devices are really right for your network.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be so hard. When you think about campus LAN switches in terms of where they fit in the greater network, it’s easier to filter search results and find the right product.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Blizzard warnings active as snowstorm barrels across northern US. 
• ​​​​​Bluebird 6: World’s largest commercial comms satellite launched by Starlink rival.​
• ​​​​​Intel completes $5 billion private share sale to Nvidia.

Friday is here, and today is National Thank-You Note Day, a reminder of the time-honored tradition of expressing gratitude for gifts, hospitality, and generosity. We want to take this moment to sincerely thank our readers and customers for your continued support and trust. That support is the best gift we receive every day, and we are truly grateful to have you as part of our community.

In This Issue: Finding Joy Despite It All | Deal of the Day | Wall Mount Bracket | 5 Common Network Switch Configuration Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them) | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finding Joy Despite It All

Happy last Friday of 2025, everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas spent with your families.

As for me, Christmas did not go exactly as planned. A situation came up that led us to cancel our Christmas party with our extended family on my mom’s side. It was disappointing, but it did not stop us from celebrating. We pushed through and still gathered on Christmas Day, December 25, with our immediate family, just without that one person.

We ended up spending Christmas at a nearby pool resort, and it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves since there were no other guests. The kids had a blast with the mini games I prepared, and the adults joined in too so everyone had a chance to win gifts. We even rented a karaoke machine for extra fun, since almost everyone in my family loves to sing, except me. 😄

By the time we got home, we were completely exhausted and sore, but our hearts were full. The memories we made, especially the smiles we shared that day, made everything worth it. I thank God for allowing us to still enjoy Christmas despite what happened the night before.

So, how was your Christmas?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This sturdy, universal wall mount solution will take nearly any 1RU (1.75″) device and safely secure it to the wall. With the 10 gauge steel construction and the included heavy-duty wall anchors, this device will handle just about anything you can throw at it or put on it. This is perfect for keeping network switches, power strips, patch panels, and other network devices safe from heat and damage, as well as helping you save space with its flush mount design.

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Learning Center Article – 5 Common Network Switch Configuration Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

When implementing network switches, seemingly minor configuration oversights can lead to significant performance issues, security vulnerabilities, or even complete network failures. Understanding these common pitfalls isn’t just about preventing problems – it’s about building a robust and efficient network that can scale with your organization’s needs. Let’s explore the five most common configuration mistakes that network administrators make when setting up switches, and provide practical solutions to avoid them.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Times Square to feature patriotic ball drop for New Year’s Eve, kicking off US’s 250th birthday. 
• Amazon wants more capacity but USPS auction could end $6 billion partnership​.
• ​​​​​Major airline is using AI to hold flights for passengers facing tight connections — but they’ll only wait for so long.

As the holidays draw near, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy the season surrounded by your loved ones. Please note that our office will be closed on December 24th and 25th as we celebrate the holiday. Thank you, and happy holidays!

In This Issue: Small Gifts, Big Hearts | Deal of the Day | Yealink IP Phones Accessories | Understanding ARP | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Small Gifts, Big Hearts

Ho ho ho! Just two more days until Christmas. 🎄

One of my favorite ways to relax on the weekend is scrolling through social media, and I recently came across a sweet video that really stuck with me. It showed a young boy with a $20 budget buying Christmas gifts for his entire family at his school’s holiday shop. He picked a toy his dad could play with, a heart ring for his mom, a squishy chicken for his younger sister, and even tiny collar bells for their dog. How lovely is that?

Kids really do have the purest hearts. We do not have holiday shops like that in schools here in the Philippines, so watching that video left me in awe. Not just because of the shop itself, but because of how genuine and thoughtful that little boy was.

As we move closer to Christmas, we want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. May you feel the presence of our Creator this holiday season, and may His blessings be upon you and your family.

From our CK team to yours, we wish you a joyful, peaceful, and Merry Christmas!

Kat

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A Season of Giving: CK Partners With iServe to Serve Local Families

With Christmas just days away, we want to pause and share a reminder of how meaningful generosity can be. At CK, giving is one of the ways we care for our neighbors and support our community. This season, we are thankful to partner with a local Georgia organization we support through board involvement: iServe Ministries.

iServe serves families in our community by providing free food through programs that help meet real needs. Each Christmas, they also coordinate a toy giveaway alongside local organizations. A few days before Christmas, families are invited to a free breakfast where children can choose gifts for the holiday. The need this year remains higher than ever, and every gift helps make the season brighter for a family.

iServe Toy Giveaway Amazon Wishlist

CK is matching donations from the wishlist up to $10,000, either through additional gifts or a direct contribution.

As we approach Christmas, we encourage you to support a cause that is meaningful to you. Whether through giving your time or resources, your generosity can bring connection, comfort, and joy during this special season.

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The CPN10 PSTN Box works with Yealink CP860 and CP920 IP conference phones to support regions still using the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). It enables both SIP-based and PSTN conference calls, including easy setup of local three-way conferences via a simple PSTN cable connection. Paired with the CP860/CP920’s HD audio, 3-microphone array, full-duplex technology, and acoustic echo cancellation, it delivers clear, natural sound.

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Learning Center Article – Understanding ARP: How Devices Communicate on a Local Network

You have two devices on the same network. You want to share packets directly from one to the other without involving the rest of the internet. How do you do this? There are a few ways, but one of the easiest is ARP. ARP stands for “address resolution protocol,” and it’s an important tool for your devices when they try to communicate. The formal definition goes something like this: ARP is a protocol that connects IP addresses to MAC addresses.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US bars approvals of new models of DJI, all other foreign drones. 
• ​​​​​North Korean agents are trying to infiltrate Amazon.​
• ​​​​​Amazon’s Zoox recalling 332 US vehicles over software error.

The week of Christmas is officially here, and it is a great time to check in and see how preparations are coming along. Whether you are wrapping gifts, finalizing plans, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, today is a chance to slow down and soak in the season. How are your holiday preparations shaping up so far?

In This Issue: Celebrating the Season for What It Truly Is | Deal of the Day | Cat6A Slim Ethernet Patch Cable | Basics of Port Mirroring Configuration | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Celebrating the Season for What It Truly Is

Magnificent Monday to everyone! Christmas is almost here, and I’m happy to say that most of my shopping is done, except for stocking stuffers, which I still prefer to shop for in person. I tried to keep things simple this year and focus on gifts that won’t just catch attention for a moment and then be forgotten.

This past week, we went to see the lights at the World of Illumination in Marietta, and it was really cool. If you have little ones, I definitely recommend checking it out. Seeing everything through their eyes makes it even better.

As the year comes to a close, I’m looking forward to ringing in the new year exactly where I like it, on the couch with my kiddos. We usually celebrate with sparkling juice and then head to bed. Nothing fancy, just together. It’s hard to believe how quickly the years go by, but I’m grateful for every one of them.

Overall, I’m really looking forward to more time with my kids and family over the next couple of weeks. This has always been my favorite time of year, not just because of the celebrations, but because it reminds me of the true meaning of the season, celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Brooke

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Together for the Holidays: CK & iServe Toy Giveaway

As Christmas week begins, we want to take a moment to reflect on the power of generosity. At CK, giving is a meaningful way we care for our community and support those who may be facing a difficult season. This year, we are grateful to partner with a local Georgia organization we support through board involvement: iServe Ministries.

iServe serves families in our community by providing free food through several programs that meet everyday needs. During the Christmas season, they also host a toy giveaway in partnership with local organizations. A few days before Christmas, families are invited to a free breakfast where children can choose gifts to celebrate the holiday. The need this year is greater than ever, and each gift helps bring joy to a family.

iServe Toy Giveaway Amazon Wishlist

CK is matching donations from the wishlist up to $10,000, either through additional gifts or a direct contribution.

As we enter this final stretch before Christmas, we encourage you to consider supporting a cause that is meaningful to you. Giving your time or resources can bring hope, connection, and joy to others during a season when it matters most.

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Deliver blazing-fast performance with this Cat6A Slim Ethernet Patch Cable, built for modern, high-demand networks. Supporting speeds up to 10 Gbps and 500 MHz bandwidth, it ensures reliable, high-throughput connectivity for data-heavy applications. The slim 28 AWG design makes it ideal for tight spaces and dense installations, while optimizing airflow and cable management.

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Learning Center Article – Basics of Port Mirroring Configuration

When you have an important network, it’s a common practice to use some form of network monitoring. This can help you keep an eye on things for better security and network performance.

How do you implement monitoring techniques into a network? One of the most straightforward methods is to use port mirroring.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon opens first-of-its-kind same-day delivery facility in Pennsylvania. 
• ​​​​​Starlink satellite is out of control and tumbling toward Earth.​
• ​​​​​Government’s new ‘flying discs’ could redefine low-orbit missions.

We are wrapping up the week with festive fun. National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day encourages everyone to showcase their boldest patterns and quirkiest holiday designs. Whether cheerful, sparkly, or wonderfully over the top, these sweaters always bring smiles. Which holiday sweater would you proudly wear today?

In This Issue: More Than Christmas Day | Deal of the Day | LCD Expansion Module | Importance of Fiber Optic Cleaning | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – More Than Christmas Day

Happy Friday! Last weekend marked the end of both of my kids’ club soccer seasons. As busy as those seasons were, I’m really grateful for them, and honestly, I’m just as grateful for the free time we’re about to get back. For the next few weeks, our calendar is wide open, which means more time to simply be together 🤍. We’re looking forward to baking treats, watching Christmas movies, and kicking off our annual holiday puzzle.

With Christmas getting closer, I’ve been thinking about what I love most about this season. I recently shared with my kids that it’s not actually Christmas Day for me, but everything leading up to it. Since Halloween ended, I’ve spent hours decorating, shopping, wrapping gifts, making lists… and checking them twice. It’s a full and busy season, but one that genuinely brings me a lot of joy. In the middle of all the prep, I’m reminded that this time is a gift, a chance to slow down, make memories, practice gratitude, and prepare our hearts as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

As we head into the weekend, I’m wishing all of our clients a blessed and joyful holiday season, filled with peace, gratitude, and time with the people you love. Thank you for trusting us throughout the year, and here’s to an even better 2026 ahead!

Mandy

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Give Hope This Season: CK Partners with iServe Ministries

As we head into the weekend, we want to pause and share something that is important to us at CK. Giving is one way we care for others and strengthen our community, and this season we are honored to support a local Georgia organization we know well through board involvement: iServe Ministries.

iServe serves families in our community by providing free food through several programs. During the Christmas season, they also host a toy giveaway in partnership with local organizations. A few days before Christmas, families are welcomed to a free breakfast where children can choose gifts for the holiday. The need this year remains greater than ever, and every gift helps make a difference.

iServe Toy Giveaway Amazon Wishlist

CK is matching donations from the wishlist up to $10,000, either through additional gifts or a direct contribution.

As you head into the weekend, we encourage you to consider supporting a cause that is close to your heart. Giving your time or resources can create meaningful moments of connection and joy.

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Yealink EXP20 contains a large and user-friendly liquid crystal display (LCD) interface that measures 160×320 pixels, as well as contains 20 physical, dual-color LED keys. The additional screen space and added number of buttons simplifies user navigation and streamlines essential operational functions such as speed dial, BLF, BLA, call forwarding, transfer and hold.

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Learning Center Article – Importance of Fiber Optic Cleaning

Every system needs fiber optic cleaning to ensure that it will work properly. As the name implies, fiber optic cleaning is the process of cleaning fiber connector end faces and components that are prone to contamination. Contamination can hurt fiber optic performance and even lead to test failures. Cleaning resolves one of the leading causes of these failures and produces a pristine fiber optic network that performs as expected.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day

• YouTube down for thousands of users, Downdetector shows. 
• ​​​​​NASA launches unusual flying saucer-shaped spacecraft.​
• ​​​​​AT&T gains $1.3B annual revenue through December price hikes on wireless and internet services.