Archives for March 2026

Happy Tuesday! Today feels like a good moment for a quick check-in. Whether your week is off to a busy start or moving at a steady pace, we hope things are going well on your end. How has your week been going so far?

In This Issue: Dresses, Sparkles, and Princess Moments | Deal of the Day | C13 to C20 | Optical Transceiver | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Dresses, Sparkles, and Princess Moments

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Can you believe it’s already the last day of March!? This year is absolutely flying by!

I’m coming off yet another sweet weekend! I had my nieces over for the weekend and we went to the mall to shop for flower girl dresses and “high heels” for them to wear in my wedding. I wasn’t quite sure what the selection of dresses would look like, but the stores are packed with dresses right now with it being Easter season. We found the most beautiful dresses for them and they absolutely loved them which makes me so happy! We also found some beautiful shoes for them to wear. They really wanted “high heels” so we found some low, block heel shoes that are sparkly and beautiful! They felt like princesses in their outfits and are so excited to wear them at the wedding!

This season of being engaged is a bit of a whirlwind, but also just so sweet. I am loving every minute of it!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This reliable power distribution for your high-performance equipment with our C13 to C20 power cord. The 14 AWG thickness provides durability and consistent power flow, even in the most demanding environments. With a generous 6ft length, you’ll have the flexibility you need to efficiently manage your power connections, making it an essential addition to your equipment arsenal.

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Learning Center Article – What Is An Optical Transceiver? Types And Benefits

Ever wondered what makes high-speed internet and data centers work so efficiently? At the heart of these operations are optical transceivers, small devices crucial for modern communication networks. They convert electrical signals into optical signals, enabling fast and reliable data transmission over fiber optic cables.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Gold heads for biggest monthly drop in more than 17 years. 
• ​Airport wait times plummet from hours to minutes as TSA workers start getting back pay.
• ​CoreWeave secures $8.5 billion loan to expand AI infrastructure.

Happy Monday! Today is National Virtual Vacation Day, a reminder to take a break even if we cannot travel far. With rising travel costs, we still deserve a getaway, even if it is only a virtual one. Where would you go on a virtual trip today?

In This Issue: Innovation, Competition, and Perspective | Deal of the Day | Outdoor Extension | 3PCC vs Enterprise Firmware | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Innovation, Competition, and Perspective

Happy Monday!

Last week was a busy one. Craig, Estela, and I attended Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas. We met a lot of great vendors and had some really good conversations. The clear theme across the entire show was AI and how it’s being used in just about every part of the business. It’s interesting to see how quickly things are evolving in that space.

We also managed to enjoy some great meals along the way and averaged around 20,000 steps a day, so it was definitely not a relaxing trip.

Right before heading out, I competed in another Pokémon tournament and made top 8 again, so the week started off on a strong note.

While we were there, we took some time to visit the Hoover Dam. It was incredible to see in person. The scale, the design, and the engineering behind it are hard to wrap your head around, especially knowing it was built without modern computers. It really puts things into perspective.

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

This 25-foot power cord features a standard NEMA 5-15P male plug and NEMA 5-15R female receptacle, supporting up to 15 amps at 125 volts for safe and consistent power delivery to a wide range of devices. Constructed with 12 AWG copper-core conductors and a rugged black jacket, this cord offers excellent electrical performance, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion, kinking, and wear.

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Learning Center Article – 3PCC vs Enterprise Firmware in Cisco IP Phones

When it comes to Cisco IP phones, you have a lot of options, but what are they really doing for you? In some cases, the model of the phone dictates who actually controls a call when you use the phone.

This boils down to the firmware on the phone and what it supports. With Cisco phones, most support Cisco-made enterprise firmware. That’s simple enough, but sometimes, you need to work with a third-party call controller. In that case, Cisco 3PCC phones might be the better option.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​​Amazon acquires Fauna Robotics, expands Sprout humanoid robot capabilities. 
• Microsoft unveils AI upgrades, rolls out Copilot Cowork to early-access customers.
• ​New COVID variant ‘Cicada‘ prompts vaccine concerns and symptom warnings.

We are wrapping up the week with a quick check-in. Whether your days were busy, productive, or a mix of both, we hope it has been a good one. How was your week, and do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

In This Issue: Ready for a Beach Reset | Deal of the Day | AC Power Cord | Spine-Leaf Architecture | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Ready for a Beach Reset

Spring break is almost here, and I couldn’t be more ready for a little reset!

I’m heading to the beautiful beaches of Gulf Shores, AL with my family, along with my mom, my sister, and her family too. It’s shaping up to be such a fun trip. I’m already looking forward to all the classic beach things: long walks on the soft sand, salty air, sunshine, the sound of the waves, and of course, plenty of seafood.

There’s just something about being near the water that helps you slow down and recharge, and I’m really looking forward to soaking up that time with family.

For those of you who’ve been to Gulf Shores, what are your must-do activities or favorite places to eat? I’d love to hear your recommendations! I’m also on the hunt for a good book to bring along, so tell me, what are you all reading right now?

Mandy

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This heavy-duty AC power cord features a NEMA 5-20P to IEC C13 connection, delivering reliable power for servers, networking equipment, and other IT devices. Built with 14 AWG copper conductors, it supports 15A at 125V for stable performance, while the durable jacket ensures long-lasting use in data centers, racks, and workstation environments.

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Learning Center Article – What is Spine-Leaf Architecture?

In data centers, networking is always pushing the limits of data rates and low latency. At the same time, redundancy is essential to prevent very costly downtime. How do you get the best of every world?

One viable answer is to utilize a spine-leaf architecture. It can simplify your networking design, reducing the total number of switches needed while solving the problems of latency and throughput.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Senate agrees to fund DHS, except ICE and CBP, in bid to end extreme airport delays. 
• Oil slips on Iran talks, but prices remain elevated.
• ​AI‘s arrival complicates Big Tech climate goals, and some worry it’s locking in more fossil fuels.

Today highlights a leafy green packed with benefits. National Spinach Day reminds us of the many ways spinach can be both nutritious and delicious, whether in salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes. Do you have a favorite spinach recipe to share?

In This Issue: Counting Down to Summer | Deal of the Day | AC Power Cord | Data Center Server Rack Sizing Guide | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Counting Down to Summer

Spring is finally here, and we are loving the warmer weather! There’s just something about this time of year that brings a fresh kind of energy, more sunshine, more time outside, and a little extra excitement in the air.

With only two more months left of school, the kids are definitely starting to feel that countdown to summer. They’re already talking about all the things they’re looking forward to, from camps and pool days to spending more time with friends and family. It’s fun watching that anticipation build as the days get longer and the schedules start to open up.

As for me, summer has always been my favorite season, so I’m right there with them. I’m looking forward to slowing things down a bit, getting outside more, and soaking up as much sunshine as possible.

Here’s to warmer days ahead and all the fun that comes with them!

Brooke

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 8 ft AC power cord features a C14 to C5 connection, ideal for powering laptops and other compatible devices from a PDU or power source. Built with 18 AWG wiring for reliable performance, it offers a durable and cost-effective solution for both standard and high-density installations.

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Learning Center Article – Data Center Server Rack Sizing Guide

Data centers run on server stacks, and they are usually stored in server racks. So, if you need a lot of processing power and/or data storage, then you’ll need to understand rack sizes in order to strategize.

Unfortunately, server racks are not measured according to specific official dimensions. Fortunately, they are standardized, and you can read those standards when you understand the measuring unit utilized across the industry.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US suspends anti-smog fuel rules in bid to ease pump prices​. 
• ​New COVID variant spreads across US as CDC raises concerns: ‘Viral evolution‘.
• OpenAI announces it is shutting down video platform Sora.

Midweek is a great time to try something new. Whole Day for Whole Grain encourages us to explore beyond the usual and enjoy the rich flavors and textures of whole grains. What is your favorite way to enjoy whole grains?

In This Issue: A Birthday, A Laugh, and a Full Heart | Deal of the Day | AC Power Cord | Datacenter Airflow Management Guide | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Birthday, A Laugh, and a Full Heart

Happy Wednesday to you all! Happy mid-week!

Today, we celebrated my mom’s 51st birthday. Our initial plan was to wait for my boyfriend and my older brother to come home since they’ll both be on a week-long break for Holy Week next week, so we could celebrate together. But due to a change in my brother’s schedule, he couldn’t make it, so now we’re just waiting for my boyfriend to arrive on the 29th.
While we wait, I treated my mom and dad to lunch at a new smokehouse here in our town. The place looks fancy, but the prices are not too expensive. We tried their steak, and as a first-timer, I can say it was really delicious.

We paired it with a bottle of local wine, and after we finished, my mom suddenly asked if we could go home right away. My dad and I were wondering what happened, and then we realized she got tipsy after her second glass, lol. It’s been a while since she last had an alcoholic drink, so I think that’s why.

Before heading home, we stopped to buy more materials for the house I’m currently building for my parents, and my mom had already fallen asleep in the tricycle.

Seeing them happy and healthy makes me feel like I’m the happiest daughter on Earth, despite the times I feel like I’ve failed them before.

I hope the rest of your week goes wonderfully.

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The 25 ft AC Power Cord (C13 to C14) is a reliable and cost-effective solution for powering servers, networking devices, monitors, and other electronic equipment. Featuring a C13 female connector on the equipment end and a C14 male connector on the supply end, this cord is commonly used for connecting devices to PDUs, UPS systems, and power distribution units. The 18 AWG construction ensures safe and efficient power transmission for standard 10A, 250V applications.

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Learning Center Article – Datacenter Airflow Management Guide

Running a data center comes with plenty of challenges. And something that frequently floats to the top of those challenges is heat management. Keeping those powerful devices cool requires careful planning and constant effort. And it gets expensive.

With applied airflow management, you can find solutions that help you stay on top of cooling, keeping costs low, designs efficient, and productivity up.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Oil prices drop on prospect of Middle East ceasefire easing supply disruption. 
• FedEx announces same-day delivery option days after Amazon launches 1-hour and 3-hour delivery.
• Microsoft to rent Texas data center dropped by Oracle and OpenAI, Bloomberg News reports.

Today recognizes something essential to our daily lives. National Ag Day celebrates the role of agriculture in providing the food, fiber, and resources we rely on every day. With prices rising, what is one food you would still always keep on your list?

In This Issue: The ‘Yes’ Weekend | Deal of the Day | Cat5e Shielded Ethernet Patch Cable | Shielded Cable | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – The ‘Yes’ Weekend

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is enjoying their week so far! It’s finally starting to feel like Spring again, which is such an emotional boost!

I’m coming off another incredibly special weekend and feeling so blessed!
On Friday night, Josh and I went to Atlanta for the Eric Church concert. He is one of my all time favorite artists and he put on an exceptional show! I loved every minute of it!

On Saturday, I went wedding dress shopping with my mom and two of my best friends. I didn’t have a strong concept of what kind of dress I wanted and didn’t really expect to find my dress, but figured I needed to get started on the search! The second dress I tried on was stunning and was the front runner for most of the appointment, until I tried on the very last dress which absolutely took my breath away! It was nothing like what I thought I’d pick, yet it seemed so perfect for me! I officially said “yes to the dress” and can’t wait to wear it on my wedding day!

Later that evening, Josh and I went out to dinner with another couple – one of his best friends and his wife. We enjoyed dinner at Local Station in Braselton and then walked across the street to the Cotton Calf for dessert, which was probably my favorite part! I had vanilla ice cream with fresh berries and it was incredible.

I wrapped up the weekend on Sunday by joining my best friend, Jami, as she got her ears pierced! She was adding a second hole and had really wanted to do it last weekend when we were in the Highlands celebrating her birthday, but we never could find a place. Instead, we went to our local Ulta and she got them done! They look so pretty and she was really happy with them, so it was a win!

It was a busy, but really fun weekend, and I’m feeling grateful for all of it!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This Cat5e shielded (STP) Ethernet patch cable reduces electromagnetic interference for reliable performance in demanding environments. Supporting up to 1 Gbps speeds and 350 MHz bandwidth, it features pure copper conductors and a snagless design for easy installation.

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Learning Center Article – Why Use Shielded Cable for Networking and Data Safety

Currently, the use of high bandwidth applications has been on the rise, and network systems have started venturing into factory environments which have called for the use of shielded cables. In this new installation sector, the cable is used in areas with high electromagnetic interference (EMI). Even with improved ability to reject noise and handle gigabit Ethernet, these cables will not function properly in areas where there is high EMI if not properly shielded. A shielded cable will help in these high EMI installations ensuring safe and efficient data transfer.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Dollar stands tall as markets turn cautious on Middle East war. 
• ​Record-smashing heat spreads: ‘Basically the entire US is going to be hot’.
• Mark Zuckerberg builds AI CEO to help him run Meta.