Archives for March 2026

Starting the week with a snack everyone loves. National Chip and Dip Day celebrates the perfect pairing that works for just about any occasion, from game nights to casual get-togethers. What is your go-to chip and dip pairing?

In This Issue: Weekend Highlights and a Week of Travel | Deal of the Day | APC Basic 1U Rack PDU | The Right Ethernet for the Right Network | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Weekend Highlights and a Week of Travel

Happy Monday!

Saturday was a busy one with another Pokémon Cup. I didn’t win this time, but I was able to make top cut and finished in 7th place, which earned me some valuable points for the season. A few friends stopped by to watch me play, which honestly made me a little nervous, but everything worked out in the end.

After the tournament we grabbed some Detroit-style pizza, which was amazing, and then watched the new Ryan Gosling film Project Hail Mary. That movie was easily one of the best I’ve seen all year. I highly recommend it if you get the chance.

Sunday was a bit slower. I spent time with my girls at church, and afterwards we went to the park. It was a little hot, but the kids didn’t seem to mind. We also spent some time playing Minecraft together, which has become a regular thing for us.

I’ll be heading out to Shoptalk this week, so I’ll miss the family until Friday. Not looking forward to that part, but I’m sure it’ll be a great trip.

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 APC AP9566 is a reliable basic 1U rack Power Distribution Unit (PDU) engineered to deliver dependable AC power distribution for IT equipment in small to medium rack environments. This unit focuses on essential power delivery without advanced monitoring or management features, making it a cost-effective choice for server rooms, network closets, office racks, and other standard installations.

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Learning Center Article – The Right Ethernet for the Right Network

An efficient Ethernet cable management plan, especially in high-density and challenging network environments, increases the versatility of network maintenance and operation. It also contributes to the system’s uptime and lowers operation cost, which makes your life a whole lot easier!

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Asia stocks slide as US and Iran threaten to intensify war. 
• ​Long lines plague U.S. airports as TSA officers face second missed paycheck in shutdown.
• ​Alibaba launches latest agentic AI platform with international unit’s Accio Work.

Ending the week on a sweet note. National Macaron Day celebrates the colorful French treat known for its delicate texture and elegant presentation. What macaron flavor would you choose today?

In This Issue: A Simple Wish This Friday | Deal of the Day | ESD Cabinet | SFP-10G-LR vs. SFP-10G-LR-S | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Simple Wish This Friday

Howdy to you all. Happy Friday!

How was your week? I hope it was as productive as you wanted it to be. I also hope you’ve planned your weekend well, to find some peace and time to relax.

This coming Monday is my grandmother’s birthday, my mom’s mom, and on Wednesday, it will be my mom’s birthday. They are both Aries. I didn’t have the chance to meet my grandma, but from the stories I’ve heard about her, I feel like she has the same character as my mom. Is it because of genes, or because they share the same zodiac sign? Do you believe in horoscopes? Do you read your daily horoscope and use it as a guide for your day?

My grandma was a workaholic when she was still alive. She raised her eight children all by herself, doing multiple jobs every day. There was no time to rest because if she didn’t work, there would be nothing to eat. Sometimes, they relied on crops from her parents, who lived several mountains away, and transportation wasn’t easy back then. My mom shared that they would walk just to visit them, and it would take almost half a day to reach their house. That’s how hard life was before. She also said that even when my grandma was sick, she still went to work. It’s heartbreaking to know that even in her last moments, she was still working. She never really had the chance to rest or experience what it feels like to truly relax.

This is one of the reasons why I want to give my parents a comfortable life. I’m not asking for a rich life, just a simple and comfortable one for all of us.

May we all live happy and comfortable lives, as we deserve, despite the current challenges we are facing.

Happy weekend!

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Kendall Howard™ ESD Cabinet provides technicians in static control environments an ESD safe storage solution for protecting sensitive components across a multitude of industries. Our fully enclosed cabinet is equipped with locking split-entry doors to ensure sensitive equipment is safe. The cabinet is complete with a fully integrated louvered panel system featuring 153 louvered cut outs for mounting additional accessories.

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Learning Center Article – SFP-10G-LR vs. SFP-10G-LR-S: A Business Guide to Making the Right Choice

In today’s rapidly changing networking world, finding the right balance between performance and reliability can feel overwhelming. Cisco’s SFP-10G-LR and SFP-10G-LR-S modules are essential for high-speed, long-distance data transmission. But which one is the right fit for you?

Whether you need speedy connections over long distances or advanced diagnostic tools, we’ve got you covered. Let’s start by breaking down the basics of the SFP 10G LR and SFP 10G LR-S transceivers.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Energy fallout from Iran war signals a global wake-up call for renewable energy. 
• ​Tesla in talks with Chinese firms to buy $2.9 billion worth of solar equipment, sources say.
• Walmart faces backlash over new AI-driven pricing patents amid customer concerns.

Today celebrates the spaces just outside our doors. National Backyard Day recognizes how backyards can become places for relaxation, gatherings, and everyday moments of fun. What is your favorite way to enjoy your backyard?

In This Issue: Counting down! | Deal of the Day | APC Smart-UPS | QSFP-40G-LR4 vs. QSFP-40G-LR4-S Modules | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Counting down!

Good morning!

I started this weekend by making my way back to Athens, unpacking, and getting all set up for the week. It felt like a slow weekend since Saturday was spent doing chores like cleaning, meal-prepping, and planning. That didn’t last long because once I got my planner set up, it was right back into computer-based work. I soaked up the sunshine last week as much as I could, so looking at a computer was tough to go back to.

Most of my time has been spent working through assignments, readings, and applications for the upcoming year. It has been a very different change of pace from Spring Break, and I’m truly missing the wonderful time I spent with family and friends. Thankfully, there are some big things to look forward to coming soon that will help remind me that it’s worth every step. The first are a few friends’ birthdays and officially beginning the countdown to UGA Miracle’s Dance Marathon. I’ve talked about it plenty, but we are 9 days away which means a few extra meetings and a lot of preparation. I’ve been really leaning on my prioritization skills and Alex, while we both focus on getting ahead as much as we can. The excitement for the biggest event of the year has absolutely built, and I can’t wait to see all our hard work come together.

For myself, I’m hoping for another productive weekend ahead, but I hope you’re able to have a nice, relaxing one. Have a great Thursday!!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The APC Smart‑UPS 5000VA Tower UPS is a premium double‑conversion online uninterruptible power supply engineered to protect mission‑critical equipment from power disturbances while delivering clean, reliable power. Designed for demanding environments including servers, storage systems, networking gear, medical labs, and light industrial applications, this UPS provides pure sine‑wave output and zero transfer time to battery in the event of utility power issues.

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Learning Center Article – QSFP-40G-LR4 vs. QSFP-40G-LR4-S Modules: Which Should You Buy?

In modern networking, picking the right transceiver modules is very important for efficient and high-performance data transmission. These key components make sure that network connections are fast and reliable, so choosing the right ones is essential for the best network setup.

Among the various options, the QSFP-40G-LR4 and QSFP-40G-LR4-S modules are popular choices for high-speed connectivity.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• City of Atlanta offers free meals to TSA agents as shutdown continues. 
• ​Historic heat wave tied March US high, may set monthly records in over 140 cities, from California to Missouri.​
• ​Facing US oil blockade, Cuban man powers car with charcoal.

Today is National Awkward Moments Day, a day we can all relate to. From accidental waves to someone who wasn’t waving at you, to those unexpected silent elevator rides, awkward moments are simply part of life. What’s an awkward moment you can laugh about now?

In This Issue: From Screen to Shelf | Deal of the Day | CAT6A Ethernet Patch Cable | Why Use SFP Instead of Ethernet? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – From Screen to Shelf

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday!

Last weekend was just a normal and simple one. I started looking for movies or series on Netflix to binge-watch. Since One Piece has newly uploaded episodes, I decided to give it a try. I’ve been a fan of anime since grade school, and I usually don’t watch live adaptations because I’m often not satisfied with the outcome. It’s just me. But this time, I took a chance on the live-action series.

So far, I’m really impressed. From the actors and their performances to the CGI, everything was well done. They made it easy to recognize each character from the anime. I still get emotional about Chopper’s scene with Dr. Hiriluk. If you know, you know.

Watching an anime I grew up with also made me want to start collecting figures of my favorite characters. Now I’m thinking whether I should go for resin figures or if PVC ones are already good enough. Resin figures are expensive and fragile, but the details are amazing. PVC figures, on the other hand, are more durable, though the details are just okay.

Do we have anyone here who loves collecting resin figures? How about PVC ones? Feel free to share your favorite figures for inspiration.

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This Cat6A Ethernet patch cable delivers reliable 10 Gbps performance up to 100 meters with 500 MHz bandwidth, exceeding standard Cat6 capabilities. Built with pure copper conductors for maximum throughput, it features molded snagless boots for easy installation in tight spaces.

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Learning Center Article – Why Use SFP Instead of Ethernet?

In the fast-evolving landscape of network setups, the choice between SFP transceivers and traditional Ethernet connections is pivotal. SFP, or Small Form-factor Pluggable modules, offer a versatile solution that adapts to the growing demands of modern networks. This introduction explores the advantages of SFP modules and their role in flexible network configurations.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Trump has choked off Cuba’s oil supply. China is stepping in with solar. 
• Amazon slashing USPS shipments could cost agency billions in revenue.
• ​Apple launches AirPods Max 2, 5 years after the originals.

Today brings a festive celebration around the world. St. Patrick’s Day honors Irish heritage and traditions, with many people wearing green, decorating with shamrocks, and enjoying classic Irish fare. Are you wearing green today?

In This Issue: Celebrating Friendship and Making Time for What Matters | Deal of the Day | Cisco Switch Bundle | The Power of Network Servers | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Celebrating Friendship and Making Time for What Matters

Good morning & happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great start to the week and staying warm! We’re in the middle of an arctic blast and it’s making me miss the Spring weather from a few days ago!

My weekend was super special as I went to Highlands, NC with a group of other women to celebrate my best friend, Jami’s, birthday! We stayed at a cute cabin that was very convenient to the downtown area! We kept Friday relaxed by hanging out at the cabin and ordering pizza. On Saturday, we ventured into town for a day of coffee, shopping, and eating! There are so many unique shops in Highlands and we enjoyed exploring them! We went out on Saturday night for a nice dinner at a local steakhouse, and headed back on Sunday!

The trip was such a nice reminder of how special good friends are, and how important it is to make intentional time for friendships! Jami and I have been friends for 25 years and, the older I get, the more I realize what a blessing true friendship is! Life can get busy and it can be hard to find time, but investing in genuine friendships is so important!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This Cisco Catalyst 9200L deployment kit provides enterprise-grade performance and scalability for modern networks. It includes (1) C9200L-48P-4X-E 48-port PoE+ switch, (4) SFP-10G-SR 10G transceiver modules, and (1) C9200L-STACK-KIT for streamlined stacking and network expansion, making it ideal for high-performance access-layer deployments.

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Learning Center Article – Ready for Peak Performance? Unleash the Power of Network Servers in Your IT Strategy!

In today’s fast-paced business world, having a reliable and efficient IT infrastructure is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity. At the core of every strong IT system lies the network server, a powerful tool designed to manage your data, streamline operations, and support your business growth. Whether you’re hosting critical applications or managing network resources, the right server can make all the difference in optimizing your IT performance.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day

• ​Amazon launches 1-hour shipping in US cities to challenge Walmart.​ 
• ​Encyclopedia Britannica sues OpenAI over AI training.
• ​Nvidia unveils plans to bring AI to space-based data centers.

Starting the week with a quick hello. We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, whether you spent it catching up on rest, running errands, or spending time with family and friends. How was your weekend?

In This Issue: From Taco Trucks to Tournament Wins | Deal of the Day | Cisco WIC Slot Blank/Cover | Cisco’s QSA Network Adapter | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – From Taco Trucks to Tournament Wins

Happy Monday!

This weekend was pretty busy, but a lot of fun. On Friday we went to the Spring Festival at our kids’ elementary school. There were crafts, games, and activities all over the place, and they even had a taco truck. I took full advantage of that and enjoyed some really great tacos. Later that evening I headed out to a midnight pre-release event for a brand new Pokémon set that had just come out. It was a great event and I managed to pull some pretty nice cards.

Saturday was busy as well. I competed in another Pokémon Cup tournament. In the last tournament I played I did terribly, so I wasn’t expecting much this time around. I actually lost my first round and thought that was a bad sign, but somehow things turned around. I ended up winning 10 out of the 12 matches I played and managed to take the cup victory. I even tied into the top 8 before finishing strong. I walked away with a nice playmat and some championship points. Honestly, I was a little bit in shock.

Sunday started off great with church, and then I began the exciting process of working on my taxes. I like to get a head start on them when I can. There’s that saying that nothing is certain except death and taxes, and whoever said that definitely wasn’t joking.

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 Cisco WIC-BLANK-PANEL is designed to cover unused WIC slots on compatible Cisco routers, helping maintain proper airflow and system performance. By filling empty slots, it also improves the unit’s appearance and protects internal components.

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Learning Center Article – Dealing with Lagging Connections? Cisco’s QSA Network Adapter Can Help

In an increasingly connected world, the need for fast, reliable network communication has become essential for businesses, homes, and data centers alike. At the core of this connectivity are network adapters, which serve as the bridge between devices, enabling them to transmit data efficiently across networks. Whether it’s for wired, wireless, or fiber optic connections, network adapters play a pivotal role in maintaining smooth and stable communication.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Severe weather, tornado risk forecast for East Coast ahead of potent storms. 
• Nebius, Meta agree to $27 billion AI infrastructure pact.
• ​Alibaba forms new business unit to focus on AI services.