CK Daily Updates

In This Issue: Cisco 2960-X Series 48 Port 740W PoE+ Switch | What is the difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5? | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Monday and Happy National Tell a Joke Day! Here at CK, we’re a pretty big fan of Dad Jokes! Here are a few to give you a laugh! 

“What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?” “Sofishticated.”

“What do you call a factory that makes okay products?” “A satisfactory.” 

“What do houses wear?” “An address.”

 Send us your best joke! We’d love to hear them!

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The CK Daily – Get To, Not Got To

Good Morning CK Fam!!

Sometimes we really need to put things into perspective to really appreciate what we have and where we are at in life.

The title of this entry is get to, not got to. It’s because we all get to. We get to have coffee this morning. We get to have clean, running water. We get to go to a job to provide for ourselves and our families.

I’m not an Alabama Football fan, but you certainly don’t have to be to enjoy (and share) this five-minute video of Ernie Johnson speaking to them about GET TO.

Don’t forget to remind yourself and your loved ones that you get to today.

Appreciate you all – enjoy getting to embrace Monday,

Corey 

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Hot Topic of the Day

Last week we announced that NASA is seeking volunteers to spend a year living on a fake Martian surface. They have further announced that Icon will be 3D-printing the structures where people will spend the year. Take a look at the plan here! 

Could you live here for a full year? Where do you think you’d find yourself spending the most time? Let us know your thoughts over on the CK Facebook Page!

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Monday CK Family! We hope you had a relaxing weekend and are ready to take on the week! Today we’re kicking off our deals by highlighting the Cisco 2960-X Series 48 Port 740W PoE+ Switch, WS-C2960X-48FPS-L.

Cisco has always done an amazing job with catering to small and medium businesses. The Cisco 2960-X series is another generation of the already popular 2960 series that will enable the typical small to medium business to function at an enterprise level without the enterprise budget. The 2960-X series switches offer a fixed configuration of Ethernet switches that are not only Gigabit, but also stackable. The 2960-X was specifically designed for easy deployment and operational efficiency. These switches are also energy cautious and have a large range of IOS software features.

Switching capacity on the 2960-X series come in twenty-two percent higher than the 2960-S units as they have a total capacity of 216 Gbps. Each switch will offer either two 10 gig uplinks or four 1 gig uplinks and zero-touch configuration as well as IOS software updates when you are deploying the 2960-X switch.

Snag one this week for 20% off!

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What is the difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5? – CK Learning Center

When it comes to fiber-optic networks, there are a lot of options in how a network is designed. Ultimately, the demands of the network will determine which cable is best for any given job, but you need to have a clear understanding of the different fiber cables in order to make that decision. While the complete list of design differences could fill several books, you can understand the key variations in design in a few minutes. This quick guide will highlight the characteristics of OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 fiber cables.

OS vs OM Fiber

The first difference to understand is the one that exists between OS and OM cables. The briefest explanation is that OS cables are all single-mode fiber, and OM cables are multimode fiber. If that provides enough clarity, feel free to skip to the next section.

For those who like more details, there are a few key design differences between the cable types. These differences mostly scale to the single- or multi-mode functionality. OS cables have much thinner cores than their OM counterparts. An OS cable, like OS2, will usually have a 9-micron core while OM cables can be over 100 microns. Additionally, OM cables are designed to work across shorter distances and with less expensive transmission parts.

OM Fiber Cables

If multimode fiber is the right build for a network, there are still important decisions to make. For the most part, the cables come in five separate designs (named OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5 respectively). OM1 might be the older, slower guy on the market, but it is no less common in modern applications. It utilizes a 62.5/125-micron core and is known for its cost efficiency for short runs. The other three designs all work with a 50/125-micron core.

The next major difference is in transmission. OM1 and OM2 both use LED transmitters. These are great for their low cost, but the LED transmitters limit bandwidth. OM1 and OM2 cables hit top speeds of around 1Gbps. OM3, OM4, and OM5 cables utilize laser-optimized multimode (LOMMF) transmission. This is more expensive, but it enables higher bandwidths, and these cables can get speeds up to 10Gbps (OM3), to 40Gbps (OM4), and up to 100Gbps (OM5).

Other, subtler differences can be found among these varying cables, but in terms of application, this is the bulk of the story.

OS Fiber Cables

As for OS cables, they come in OS1 or OS2 builds. OS1 is a bit antiquated. It is designed for distances less than 2km, and it hits a top transmission speed of 10Gbps. For jobs in that range, there are usually OM designs that are more cost-effective. OS2 is the standard for long-range networking. The cables can carry signals up to 200 km, and they can achieve transmission rates in excess of 10Gbps.

The purpose of OS2 fiber cabling is to do work that is best suited by single-mode fiber optics. It’s the easy go-to for long-range, high-speed work.

We like to keep things simple and straightforward. In almost every case, the best cable will be the one that meets your distance and speed needs at the lowest possible cost.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The ‘Field of Dream’ baseball game was a ratings win for Fox with 5.9 million viewers. 
• Hamilton, which historically sold out months of performances within minutes, has plenty of opening week availability and only one performance between September and June 2022 is sold out. Some Broadway theater owners and producers say even though it is a notoriously tough industry to make a profit in, the show must go on.
• New York City will become the first major U.S. city to require proof of vaccination to eat indoors.
• University of Alabama sorority rush has taken over TikTok. 19.6 million people in the last week have viewed TikTok videos that include the hashtag #AlabamaRush and 55.6 million have seen videos with the hashtag #BamaRush.
• Firefighters are battling the Dixie Fire in California and a new fire in Parleys Canyon, Utah as searing temperatures continue to bake the western United States. 

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In This Issue: Cisco 7962G Six Line Unified VoIP Phone | SFP-10G-SR FAQ | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Thursday! Today is the perfect day to go old school and throw on your favorite vinyl record to celebrate National Vinyl Record Day! Spin music lovers all around the world have disagreements on a number of things, but one thing everyone can agree on is that vinyl records are here to stay. Do you have a record you love to throw on and enjoy? We’d love to know your favorites!

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The CK Daily – Another Trip Around the Sun

This has been a crazy week. This past Tuesday I turned 45…which still blows my mind that I am that “old.” I actually had several discussions this week about how living on a rock that is floating in space around a huge ball of fire dictating how old we are or how old we might feel. That is a crazy thought when you really think about it.

I will say that I am grateful and very thankful for the amazing 45 years that I have been alive. Many, many ups and downs, but it has all made me the man that I am today. I know for sure that this is not 100% where I saw myself in life at 45 when I was younger, BUT I honestly wouldn’t trade the life I have now compared to the life I “thought” I should have had when I arrived at 45. I think it helps that I don’t look or feel 45. (In my mind, I am still in my mid-30’s…haha!)

I had a great time this past weekend and this week celebrating with family and friends. I have definitely eaten WAY too much and I am not sure that is done yet. The celebration continues into this upcoming weekend. A few buddies and I are heading down to Savannah, on the Georgia coast, for a few days in celebration. This will be the 7th year in a row (last year doesn’t count) I have gone down to Savannah to celebrate my birthday. It really is one of my favorite places to visit and explore. I love the history down there, the entertainment, the people, as well as all the food. It should be an absolute blast and a great way to kick off the next 45 years!

Do you have places that you like to travel to or certain ways you like to celebrate your birthday every year or as often as you can

Have a great Thursday and weekend! I am out of here!

Jason

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Hot Topic of the Day

The United States Space Agency (NASA) is seeking to recruit volunteers to participate in the conquest of Mars. They are seeking to simulate what life would be like on the red planet! To apply, you must be in good health, have a master’s degree in science and / or technology , and accept the possibility of dying in the process.

The first of these missions will start in the fall of 2022 and will be made up of four people who will remain isolated for 365 days. We want to know, would you be up for the quest? Do you think you would enjoy simulating life on the red planet? We’d love to hear your thoughts over on the CK Facebook Page. 

Want to learn more about the conquest to Mars? Read more about it here. 

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Hope you are having a great Thursday! Today we will be spotlighting a VoIP Phone, the Cisco 7962G.

The Cisco 7962G is a IP phone with speakerphone and handset that’s designed for wideband audio. It has a full-feature set that includes six programmable backlit line/feature buttons, and four interactive soft keys. This phone includes a 4-bit grayscale LCD that will display features such as date and time, caller name, caller number, digits dialed, and presence info.

The phone also comes with a dedicated headset port, volume control, adjustable foot-stand and optional expansion module support. There are 24 defined selectable ring tones and the handset is hearing aid-compatible and meets the FCC loudness requirements for the ADA. You can either power the phone up with a standard CP-PWR-CUBE-3 or 802.3af PoE power.

This is a great phone for managers, administrative assistance, or even front line customer service employees.

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SFP-10G-SR FAQ – CK Learning Center

What is the SFP-10G-SR?

The SFP-10G-SR is a 10G Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver which plugs into a network switch and provides 10 Gigabits of uplink capability. The “SR” in the model number stands for “short range”. These optics use multimode fiber over shorter distances, up to 300m.

Does the SFP-10G-SR include Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM)?

Yes. These do support DOM allowing you to have better visibility by monitoring signal strength, temperature, and transceiver supply voltage.

Which Cisco switches is the SFP-10G-SR compatible with?

This is compatible with approximately 1,500 Cisco devices. Some of the most popular switches that this is compatible with are:

-2960S Series

-2960X Series

-3560 Series

-3560X Series

-3506E Series

-3750X Series

-3750E Series

-3850 Series

What’s the difference between SFP-10G-SR and SFP-10G-LR?

The SFP-10G-SR was designed for short range transmissions, up to 300m. It uses an 850nm wavelength and multimode fiber. The SFP-10G-LR on the other hand was designed for long-range transmissions, up to 10km. It uses a 1310nm wavelength and singlemode fiber.

SFP Transceiver Module Comparison Chart

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Facebook is buying the popular GIF-making and sharing website Giphy for a reported price of $400 million, with plans to integrate the massive GIF library into Instagram and other Facebook apps. 
• Verizon is offering free AMC+ for 12 months to new and existing customers who buy a new 5G phone with a payment plan or sign up for Fios home internet.
• Spotify’s updated Wear OS app will be realized soon. It will support offline playback on smartwatches running Wear OS 2.0 and up. 
• Amazon is no longer trying to stay completely out of the process when people are injured by faulty products sold on its website by third parties. In a change to the company’s return and complaints policy, Amazon said that people who are injured or have their property damaged by defective third-party products should contact Amazon customer service, which will attempt to connect the customer with the seller. 
• Customers are buying Wendy’s breakfast. And the chain wants to keep it that way. The company announced that it will spend an additional $10 million to advertise breakfast this year, bringing its overall spending on breakfast ads to $25 million in 2021.

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In This Issue: Cat6 RJ45 Inline Coupler Type Keystone Jack | Dell PowerEdge Server Product Comparison | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Wednesday! You’ve made it to the middle of the week and the weekend is just around the corner. We hope your week has been going well. If there is any way that we can be praying for you, please let us know! 

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The CK Daily – The Beauty of Work Life Balance

Happy Wednesday!

I bring you greetings from St. George Island, Florida. My family and I took a drive down south and followed the smell of the ocean. Commonly known as the “Forgotten Coast”, it’s the last remaining stretch of unspoiled, Gulf Coast, beaches that haven’t been overrun by high rises and strip malls.

We are here for a full work week and OMG why haven’t yall told me how relaxing it is to sit and work with the ocean breeze?!

COVID-19 has put a halt on a lot of our traveling, but I am happy to be able to “sneak away” and spend some safe time away with my family. I am also thankful for the jobs my husband and I have where we have the luxury to pack up our monitors, docking stations, and laptops and work from anywhere in the world.

When’s the last time you’ve taken a few days to balance work and relaxation?

Shanyce

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Hot Topic of the Day

The biggest question of all time – Apple or Android? 

Good news for both sides, in Apple’s upcoming update later this year, you’ll be able to share FaceTime links with friends that don’t have an Apple product to open in a web browser. As long as they have the link, they can join a FaceTime call on any platform! Read more about it here! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What do you think about this new feature? What do you love about Apple or Android? What do you not enjoy? Head on over to our CK Facebook page to engage in some dialogue with us! 

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Hump Day! We’ve made it to the middle of the week and today we’re showcasing a small gadget that should truly be in everyone’s toolbox, the Cat6 RJ45 Inline Coupler Type Keystone Jack.

The Orange RJ45 feed-thru keystone jack simply snaps into blank wall plates and patch panels with no need for tools or punch down. Simple and easy!

Fernando P. summed up all there truly is to say about these and wrote, “Good quality, great price, and fast shipping.”

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Dell PowerEdge Server Product Comparison – CK Learning Center

Choosing the right server requires a lot of homework. There are just so many options and finding the right server to fit your needs can be a bit confusing. In an effort to help you narrow down some options quickly, here’s a simple comparison guide for several Dell PowerEdge serverseries. We will highlight the primary hardware differences between R600, R700 and R800 series and help you narrow down a few of your seemingly endless options.

PowerEdge R600 Series

The biggest identifier for the R600 series is that they are all 1U rack servers. While some argue that the smaller form factor limits power, the R600 series still offers plenty of computation. Hardware includes the following:

-(2) Xeon Processors

-Up to (24) DIMM Slots

-Up to (6) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (3) PCIe slots

R600 servers offer a variety of configurations that enable enough customization to fit a large array of functions. If a smaller footprint or lower overall budget are top concerns, the R600 series shines.

PowerEdge R700 Series

The R700 series is the first on the list utilizing the 2U rack height. Obviously, this comes with additional configurations and hardware options, and it also requires more space, power, and cooling to optimize. Despite the larger form factor, the R700 servers still have a number of component options that are similar to the R600:

-(2) Xeon processors

-Up to (24) DIMM slots

-Up to (6) 3.5″ or (2) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (4) PCIe slots

-One of the other major differences between the R600 and R700 series is in hard drive configurations. Simply put, the 700s offer a much larger variance on storage.

PowerEdge 800 Series

Also utilizing the 2U height, the R800 series elevates hardware options on every level. This is the first series to offer more than two CPU sockets. R800s also supply a wider variety of processors for you to choose from. The full list would be quite long, so we can use the R810 as an example of potential configurations:

-Up to (4) Xeon processors

-Up to (32) DIMM slots

-Up to (6) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (8) PCIe slots

Despite the differences between the different servers, PowerEdge devices are designed for similar functions and configurations. They are all rack servers; they all run on the same operating systems; they all utilize the same RAID controllers. While the hardware variations will enable plenty of optimization the different generations are still made with backwards compatibility and the goal of working together with relative ease.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon debuted its $1.5 billion air hub in Northern Kentucky. The hub will serve as the central nerve of Amazon’s U.S. air cargo operations, allowing it to speed deliveries even further to more corners of the country.
• Venmo launched a credit card feature that allows users to convert their cash-back rewards into bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for free.
• Impossible Foods is bringing its meatless sausage to U.S. grocery stores. They also have plans to release meat-free chicken nuggets in restaurants this fall.
• Due to the delta Covid variant, airlines are seeing weaker bookings and higher cancellations. 
• People in the Pacific Northwest are bracing for another major, multiday heat wave starting Wednesday, just over a month after record-shattering hot weather when temperatures soared to 116 degrees Fahrenheit.

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In This Issue:  Cisco QSA Module, QSFP TO SFP10G Adapter Module | 5 Dangers of Social Media | News to Start Your Day

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Happy National S’mores Day! Today we celebrate with the most popular campfire treat that millions of people, all ages, love to enjoy! Did you know the first recorded version of the s’mores recipe can be found in the 1927 publication “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”?

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The CK Daily – When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

As you probably know, the Summer Olympics have come to an end. America came away with the most gold medals, finishing with a total of 39! Despite ending the games with the most gold medals, I think one of my biggest takeaways from this years’ games was a lesson on how to respond when things aren’t going your way.

One of the biggest stories coming out of the games was when Simone Biles removed herself from competition following a vault performance that didn’t go as planned. While some people were sour on the decision, my personal perspective is that it was the right thing to do. When she recognized that not only would continuing to compete be unsafe and put her at risk of injury, but also would likely bring down the scores for her team, she made the difficult call to remove herself.

Two of my favorite runners, Emma Coburn and Cory McGee also had fairly catastrophic performances during the games. McGee got tripped up and fell while racing to make the 1500m finals. She was able to move on thanks to a referee’s decision, but her performance was not what she expected. Coburn finished 14th in her 3000m steeplechase and was then disqualified for stepping off the track when she stumbled over a barrier on the last lap.

All of these athletes are undoubtedly at the top of their respective classes. They each put in unfathomable amounts of work leading up to the games and preparing for their moment in the spotlight. But sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Sometimes things go sideways and that’s when it becomes more about how you handle the loss rather than winning the game. I was super impressed with how each of these athletes handled their disappointments. I didn’t see any blame-shifting, but rather plenty of self-reflection. They were graceful in congratulating those who were successful in the events, they each showed strength in owning what happened, and they each showed fighting, “can do” spirit in resolving to work harder and come back better.

Biles returned to the competition and won bronze on the balance beam, which was a great comeback story. Meanwhile, Coburn and McGee are already back with their race teams assessing what went wrong and working hard so that they can come back stronger in the future! I’m impressed!

Rebecca

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Hot Topic of the Day

Calling all Grey’s Anatomy Fans! NiceRx is looking for someone to watch all 17 seasons and document who has saved the most lives throughout the program, between Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Meredith Gray. Not only will you get to rewatch some of the most iconic scenes of the show, but you’ll get $1000 for doing so! 

To participate, all you have to do is fill out NiceRx’s dream job listingand tell them why you are the perfect fit! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!! Are you a Grey’s Anatomy Fan? Would you participate in this? I mean, the benefits are pretty sweet! The full box set, a year subscription to Netflix, a Cameo message from Dr. Richard Webber, and a new resume skill! Head on over to the CK Facebook to let us know what you think!

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Tuesday! We’re keeping the deals going this week with the Cisco QSA Module, QSFP TO SFP10G Adapter Module, CVR-WSFP-SFP10G.

Convert any QSFP port into an SFP or SFP+ port with this convenient, easy-to-use Cisco CVR-QSFP-SFP10G QSA Adapter Module. Simply plug one side of the QSA adapter into your QSFP+ port and attach an SFP+ to the opposite end of the adapter in order to convert a QSFP+ port into an SFP+ port. This gadget is compatible with several different devices and also is backed by our Lifetime Warranty!

Snag one today!

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5 Dangers of Social Media

Today’s article about the dangers of social media is from Entrepreneur. You can read the full post here. 

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1. Real-life interaction is replaced if you allow it

Interaction on social media and the number of followers someone has cannot replace real-life human interaction, but users become so wrapped up in their lives on social media that they miss out on quality human interaction.

This is not healthy. You must spend time with family and friends — with your phone tucked away. Spending quality time with those close to you should be a priority. No amount of technology can replace the mental stimulation face-to-face discussions provide.

2. Feelings of envy emerge based on fabricated lives

Social comparison isn’t anything new. People have been comparing themselves and their lives to those around them for a long time. Social media has just amplified this, as it’s right in the users’ faces when they open a social media app.

As soon as Instagram is opened, for example, there is an endless feed of what looks like the perfect life. From personal accomplishments, lavish vacations, expensive designer clothes and luxury cars — it can appear that everyone is living the perfect life.

A feeling of envy can result, but it’s important to understand that social media is a highlight reel. It’s not real-life. Nobody is going to post that they are having a bad day or take a selfie with no makeup on and post a picture with pimples.

3. Moments are missed and memorable experiences are diluted

When was the last time you were at a concert or sporting event? If you have attended a large event over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that many people take pictures or videos nonstop. By doing this, they are missing out on the experience as it’s intended.

If you are at a concert and your entire focus is on getting the perfect shot or capturing the perfect video clip, you are going to miss out on so much. These missed memories fly right by you while your focus is buried in your phone.

4. Addiction

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but social media can be highly addictive. Most people who spend too much time on social media will be the first ones to tell you that they do. So why don’t they reduce their time? Because it’s highly addictive.

Think about how many times you open up Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter. There are many reasons why social media is addictive, with one of them being the element of mystery. When you open up Instagram, what kind of content will you see? Instagram knows this — that’s why its feed isn’t in chronological order. The randomness enhances that mystery. This can result in the user falling down the social media rabbit hole, which can burn several hours of the day.

5. It can ruin your sleep, impacting your physical health

A lot of the discussion around the negative impacts of social media focus on mental health, but it can harm your physical health as well. Many people allow social media to drastically reduce the quality of their sleep. Being glued to social media at night or while lying in bed can prevent you from falling asleep.

If you go to sleep with feelings of envy, jealously, sadness or depression it can also deeply impact your rest. It’s a good idea to unplug from social media a few hours before bed. Give your body and mind time to rest without the distractions of social media.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The Pentagon will now require all service members to get the Covid-19 vaccination by mid-September. 
• “The Suicide Squad” fell short of theatrical expectations over its opening weekend, garnering $26.5 million domestically. Expectations were set at around $35 million.
• There are more than 10 million open jobs in the U.S., the highest level ever, and over one million more jobs than unemployed people.
• Apple’s upcoming flagship iPhones, likely to be called the iPhone 13 line, will be able to automatically blur the backgrounds of footage as part of a new video portrait mode.
• AMC Entertainment has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. to showcase all of the studio’s 2022 slate in theaters for 45 days.

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In This Issue:  Cisco Nexus 3000 Series 48 Port SFP+ Switch | Tips for Maintaing Your Server | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Monday and Happy Book Lovers Day! Today is the perfect day to grab a book and get lost in the pages. What are you currently reading? We’d love to hear some of your favorite book recommendations! 

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The CK Daily – Reminder to Not Sweat the Small Stuff

Gooooood Morning CK Fam!

Another wonderful day and week to be alive and get started on the right foot.

A great devotional on Saturday I had to share from Joyce Meyer. Dreading the little things (the commute to work, laundry, dishes, running an errand, etc) and how the dread steals from our joy.

I don’t know about you, but there sure have seemed like a lot more energy vampires out there in the news, social media, and so on the last few years. I am not willing to sacrifice any more joy than I have already.

Be present. Do what needs to be done and maybe spice it up with a nostalgic music album you love or a podcast.

Hope you enjoy this message and this week!

Corey

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Hot Topic of the Day

KFC is opening a themed hotel in London for 11 Days! The House of Harland will be open for 11 nights beginning August 18th! You can book a one-night stay for $154 and enjoy a private movie theater with a “Press for Chicken” button and an arcade machine!

Guests will be picked up from their travel in a Black Cadillac and have their own “Chick-In Clerk” to ensure they enjoy their stay. The hotel will be decorated with lots of chicken and all of the proceeds will go to the KFC Foundation.

The real question is, would you take up this offer of a one-night stay in the House of Harland? Head on over to our CK Facebook page to let us know your thoughts! 

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Monday CK Family! We hope that you had a great weekend! To keep the excitement of the weekend going, we’re kicking off the week highlighting the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series 48 Port SFP+ Switch, N3KC3064PQ10GX-R. 

The Cisco Nexus 3000 series switches operate in the layer 2 and 3 switching realm. The 3064 is an in-line rate Gigabit Ethernet top-of-rack switch. In a normal environment, a top-of-rack switch will be the switch that will support modular deployment of data center racks. The ToR approach minimizes the length of cables required for each server since all of the servers are connected to the switch in the same rack. Most times, copper cables will be used to connect within the rack and the fiber cables will be used to connect each top of the rack switch. This setup enables expandability for future growth.

The Cisco Nexus 3064 has a switching line rate of 1.2 terabits per second (Tbps) along with 950 million packets per second within its 1RU design. The 3064 is designed to handle low latency and will deliver higher performance in high-frequency trading (HFT) environments. The N3K-C3064PQ-10GX operates on the Cisco NX-OS along with end-to-end Nexus fabric. This switch is designed for big data customers that need a top-of-rack switch that has local switching and connects with upstream Nexus switches.

This week, enjoy 20% off this switch!

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Tips for Maintaining Your Server – CK Learning Center

Servers are powerful in every sense of the word, in fact, they can hum for 24 hours a day, seven days a week without having any issues. However, their efficiency can be reduced drastically or even cut short completely if they are deprived of proper maintenance. You can avert server failure or a major disaster by simply having a regular check-up on them. Hiring a server management solution is the easiest and worry-free way to go. However, if you choose to do it yourself, here are a few maintenance tips to follow:

Ensure the backups are in good working order

One of the best things you can do is to maintain server backups. There are several options for backing up your server. You can utilize a local backup (internal or external hard drives, magnetic tape drives, etc) or you can utilize a remote backup (offsite). There are pros and cons to each, however maintaining an offsite backup is oftentimes a higher security option because being in a separate location is a protection against natural disasters. Prior to making any changes, ensure that the backups are working. Check to see that the backup location is right. Run some test recoveries just to be double sure.

Check how the disk is used

When you start to use up too much space on your disks, it can quickly begin to affect performance and can even prevent critical backups from running. It is important to monitor disk usage and to take proactive steps to help free up disk space. Space saving ideas include deleting old mails, logs, and unused software versions. If you have more than 90% disk usage, get additional storage or reduce usage. A 100% server usage will cause it to stop responding, cause corruption of data tables and result in lost data.

Regular Update of OS

Linux systems often release updates and staying on track with them can be a challenge. It is, therefore, critical to use patch management tools as well as have monitoring that alerts you of a system update. You may miss on vital security updates if you choose to do manual or no updates at all. If automatic updates are not possible, then it would be best for you to create scheduled updates. Failing to update regularly could leave you exposed to hackers, malware, and potential loss of important data.

Clean your server regularly

Some people make the mistake of thinking that simply because their servers are in a closed cabinet they don’t get dirty. Nevertheless, even servers in proper environments can inhale dust and dirt. This may adversely affect their performance and reliability after some time.

Today’s powerful CPUs and GPUs require properly functioning fans to enhance air circulation. When the fans get exposed to dust and dirt for long, they may fail to function as expected. However, you should be careful when cleaning the fans not to cause any damage.

Check For Errors in the Hardware

Review the logs for detection hardware problems. Network failures, disk read errors, and overheating notices may be early signs of possible hardware failure. Look into these and more so, if the system has had a history of not working within the expected range.

Change Password

It may seem like a small thing, but it is critical that you change your password at least twice a year, especially if passwords have been given out previously for maintenance purposes. Remember that passwords should be long and complex and should contain a combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters if possible.

Test UPS Batteries

UPS’s have experienced tremendous improvements recently. However, that does not mean that they don’t lose capacity with time. Test your UPS’s at least annually to establish how long they will sustain a server. This may help you to identify the best time to replace them, especially when you find that their runtime has reduced drastically.

Check Security of the Systems

Use remote editing tools to review the security, auditing the server security, check on the OS updates, configuration of the system, and other possible risks. This should ideally be done monthly, however if that is not possible it should at least be done quarterly.

Update Control Panel

If you are using a server or hosting control panel, it needs to be updated. This may also require the software controlled by the panel to be updated as well

RAID Alarms Monitoring

RAID should be used in all production servers and hence, the RAID status should be monitored. A single disk failure can end up in a total system failure. This can cause the need for a simple drive replacement to result in a disaster recovery scenario that takes several hours to restore.

Server Utilization Check-Ups

Check the utilization of the network, RAM, CPU, and disk. If you are about to reach the limits, consider getting additional resources or even migrating to another server.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Frontier Airlines will require employees to get vaccinated or regularly take Covid tests. Workers will have until October 1st to show proof that they received a Covid-19 vaccine, or regularly test negative.
• The first batch of Sephora shops within Kohl’s stores debuted on Friday. Both brands are hoping to woo new customers with the partnership, which was announced nine months ago. The goal is to have 400 locations open this year, and at least 850 up-and-running by 2023.
• The final medals are being awarded in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, wrapping two weeks of competition overshadowed by Covid-19. Team USA had a total of 626 athletes compete, winning 39 gold medals, 41 silver, and 33 bronze for a grand total of 113 medals in 28 different sports.
• Air pollution in the U.S. and Europe improved over the last decade thanks to stricter regulations, but more frequent and intense wildfires are having a big impact on air quality. Mobile apps like IQAir’s AirVisual, Air Care, Breezometer, and others run by government agencies are helping people track air pollution.
• It has been nearly three years since Instagram, the video and photo-sharing social networking service, introduced the in-app form for users to request a verified badge for their account. Recently they updated the self-submission form to request a verified badge. Now it’s allowing users to attach more information to their verification request substantiating their notability. 

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In This Issue:  CAT6A Ethernet Patch Cable, Booted, 3ft, Black | What is the difference in all the DVI connectors? | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Thursday CK Fam! If you didn’t know, the Olympic Games end on Sunday so it’s time to soak up as much as you can until Paris 2024. What events have you been enjoying? 

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The CK Daily – Take the Leash Off & Run

So, funny story/life lesson from my dog the other day. Last week I mentioned that I was having a fence installed at the new house. That was a chore in itself getting it approved and all the specifics nailed down. (Don’t get me started on HOA’s…haha!) The installers came in that day, on one of the hottest days we had, and knocked it out in no time. I was amazed at how quickly they got the fence up. My backyard is not a huge yard but it is a decent size. I guess when you do that day in and day out, it is pretty straightforward.

Now, on to the dog. They finished the fence and left. I ask the dog if he wanted to go out. Of course, he got super excited and ran over to where I keep his harness and leash. I told him he didn’t need that and to come on over to the door. He was super excited either way. Then I opened the door…he froze. He looked at the yard and then looked at me and then back to the yard. He had that look of, “wait a minute…if we are doing this, I am missing something!” I told him it’s fine let’s go on out. (Now, usually, he yanks my arm off going out the door to get outside when on a leash.) He put one paw slowly out on the patio. I walked on out in the yard and he slowly came to me. He started looking around and I told him he was free, to go run around, have fun. After a few more awkward minutes it clicked for him and he took off running. (Zoomies, if you know what those are.)

When he realized the freedom he had, he then relaxed and started enjoying himself. I think this can apply to several areas of our lives. Spiritually, professionally, health-wise, in relationships, etc. There are boundaries in our lives (the fence) that are there for reasons, but when we live and play within those protective boundaries we can relax and enjoy it. The problem is that we don’t take the time to remove the harness and leash to relax and run. We tend to just stick with what we’ve always done or known, even though we have the freedom to run. One more thing, we should seek to expand our boundaries at times in our lives, we just need to use the appropriate gates for that and not through the bars or over the top…haha!

Who knew getting a fence put in for a dog would give some new perspective on life. Now I just need to get some new outside toys for him. Any recommendations or thoughts?

Have a great Thursday!

Jason

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Friday-eve! Today we’re highlighting the CAT6A Ethernet Patch Cable, Booted, 3ft. It might seem like something simple, but it’s mighty!

Our 3 foot Snag-less Category 6A (Cat6A) Ethernet Patch Cables have molded boots to prevent the cable from catching when pulled through tight spaces. Built to last, our high-quality Ethernet cables are pure copper for maximum throughput and reliability. Individually bagged and labeled in retail packaging, these Cat6A cables are easy to store and the length and type is easily identifiable.

These Cat6A cables can be used for various applications and provide transmission performance that exceeds the industry standard.

These are 20% off this week, so take advantage of this incredible deal while you can! 

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What is the difference in all the DVI Connectors? – CK Learning Center

So, you are wondering what IS the difference between all the DVI connectors? There are 5 different DVI connectors. Read about them all here.

The DVI connector usually contains pins to pass the DVI-native digital video signals. In the case of dual-link systems, additional pins are provided for the second set of data signals.

As well as digital signals, the DVI connector includes pins providing the same analog signals found on a VGA connector, allowing a VGA monitor to be connected with a simple plug adapter. This feature was included in order to make DVI universal, as it allows either type of monitor (analog or digital) to be operated from the same connector.

The DVI connector on a device is therefore given one of three names, depending on which signals it implements:

– DVI-D (digital only)

– DVI-A (analog only)

– DVI-I (integrated, digital & analog)

The connector also includes the provision for a second data link for high-resolution displays, though many devices do not implement this. In those that do, the connector is sometimes referred to as DVI-DL (dual-link).

The long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector, so it is not possible to connect a male DVI-I to a female DVI-D by removing the 4 analog pins. It is possible, however, to connect a male DVI-D cable to a female DVI-I connector. Many flat-screen LCD monitors have only the DVI-D connection so that a DVI-D male to DVI-D male cable will suffice when connecting the monitor to a computer’s DVI-I female connector.

DVI is the only widespread video standard that includes analog and digital transmission options in the same connector.[citation needed] Competing standards are exclusively digital: these include a system using low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), known by its proprietary names FPD (for Flat-Panel Display) Link and FLATLINK; and its successors, the LVDS Display Interface (LDI) and OpenLDI.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon has launched two programs as part of an effort to give products a second life when they get returned to businesses that sell items on its platform or fail to get sold in the first place. Read the blog post here. 
• The World Health Organization called for wealthy nations to hold off on COVID-vaccine booster shots as other countries struggle to get first doses.
• U.S. toy sales rose 19% to $11 billion during the first half of 2021, as parents sought to entertain their kids during the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Outdoor and sports toys have seen the largest boost over the last six months, reaching $2.9 billion in sales, up 11% from last year.
• Target is rolling out a new education program that will cover the cost of associate and undergraduate degrees at select schools. It also will help pay for graduate school costs.
• Firefighters battling dozens of blazes across the West braced for more hot, dry weather as dangerous conditions threatened to spark new wildfires in multiple states. The Dixie Fire blazed through Greenville, California, leaving behind only a few structures. The fire primarily burned through most of the downtown area and some surrounding homes in the small mountain community. 

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