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CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 4.07.2021

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In This Issue: Spring has Sprung! | Microsoft 365 Updates | News to Start Your Day

It’s time to stretch your legs and get your heart pumping because today is National Walking Day! Lace up your favorite shoes, grab your water, and head on out for a walk (or run) outside!

The CK Daily – Spring has Sprung!

“Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” -Gustav Mahler

Since Spring has sprung, I have been more inclined to spend loads of time outside. I’m not sure if it is due to the weather or the fact that things are slowly getting back to normal since the start of the pandemic. 

I plan to start taking daily walks around my neighborhood and planting my garden soon. I typically plant cherry tomatoes and herbs but since I am feeling ambitious this year, I think I want to add to my garden. Zucchini, squash, and bell peppers are on my list this year to see if my thumb is as green as I think it is. 

What are some activities you plan to start since the flowers have bloomed?

Shanyce

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s product spotlight is the Cisco SFP-10G-SR module! This module gives you a wide variety of 1 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for your data canter, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications. This module boasts a variety of features and benefits, including being the industry’s smallest form factor, which results in the greatest density per chassis. The SFP-10G-SR is hot-swappable and can be switched out with ease, making upgrades and maintenance easy!

This week, the Cisco SFP-10G-SR is on sale! Head on over to our Deals of the Week page for 10% off!

Microsoft 365 Office – App Updates

If you’re a Microsoft 365 user, you’ve probably seen recent updates put in place in order to improve your Office features. Staying on top of these changes can be tough, so let’s review some of the updates: 

  • Get meeting suggestions when you search for a person. When you type a person’s name in the Microsoft Outlook search box, the most relevant email containing calendar invites will be included with the search result suggestions.
  • Every meeting online. Update your calendar settings to make every meeting you create a Teams Meeting by default so you no longer need to remember to click the Teams Meeting option.
  • End meetings early or start late. You can now have Outlook end your meetings a few minutes early or start late. This can help you build in travel time between meetings. You can choose a different duration for meetings under one hour and meetings over one hour. Select  File> Options> Calendar> Calendar Options Check the “Shorten Appointments and Meetings” checkbox and select “End Early” or “Start Late.”
  • Natural Language Search in Outlook. With Natural Language in search, you simply type the way you would ask a question/statement – no fancy syntax is needed. Selected the Search box at the top of Outlook, and use your own naturally formed queries. 

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,869,253 active COVID cases, 24,122,221 have recovered and there have been 570,264 deaths. 
  • The United Parcel Service announced it has agreed to purchase 10 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from Beta Technologies. The package delivery giant will test the eVTOLs for use in its Express Air delivery network, focusing on small and medium markets. 
  • The “Pac-Man 99” battle royale will launch today on the Nintendo Switch! 99 players will battle until the field is winnowed down to only one winner. 
  • SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spaceship moved on Monday to make way for the next Dragon capsule set to arrive on April 22nd bringing four more astronauts to the space station. The spaceship undocked from the International Space Station and maneuvered to a different port.
  • Are you a Stranger Things fan? Gaten Matarazzo, in a recent interview, hinted at what to expect from the fourth season! Watch the interview here!

CK Daily – 4.06.2021

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Today’s Topics: Something to Look Forward to | Deals of the Week | #TechTips | News to Start Your Day

Happy Tuesday!

Any popcorn lovers out there? Today is National Caramel Popcorn Day and boy does that conjure up some memories of fairs, sporting events, and summer snacking. Bring on all the bags of Cracker Jack and warm summer days!!

Happy Tuesday!

It seems like everyone in the state is on Spring Break or vacation this week, at least here in Georgia. Is it that way where you are too? Tis’ the season I guess. I think most people are beginning to make up for the last year. Does anyone have any big plans for this summer?

I am the type of person that enjoys having something to look forward to even if it is a month or two out. Something about that excitement helps keep my energy up and helps me stay in a good mood. No major plans for me over the summer yet besides just enjoying the new house and getting it set up…which I am very excited about. Hopefully, if everything continues going smoothly with the house I should close on April 23rd. So, while it seems like everyone else is on vacation this week, I have something to tie me over to look forward to.

What are you looking forward to right now? A vacation? A birthday? Graduation? A promotion? A wedding? Finishing a big project? Getting to see a special loved one? 

In the meantime, I hope the rest of your week goes great.

Jason

Product Spotlights & Updates:

The Deals of the Week just keep on getting better! This week we’ve included an HDMI adapter, a Rack Mount Kit, an IP Phone Accessory, a SFP+ Module, and a Cisco 3560 Switch. Pretty sweet, right?! 

To add to it – we’ve extended our free shipping on orders over $250 and now have a flat rate shipping fee of $4.99! What are you waiting for? Get your order in today! 

#TechTips

Nobody likes to waste time. And although technology helps us save time in a myriad of ways, it can also slow us down. Here are some quick tech tips that will help you maximize your time!

  • Search Google with a right-click. Are you ever reading something online, see a term or person you’re interested in, and want to learn more? To do it quickly in most browsers, right-click on the term in your browser and choose the “Search Google” option in the menu. Your browser will open a new tab and show you search results on the topic.
  • Use your scroll wheel to open a new tab. When you want to quickly open a link in a new tab, look to your mouse. After placing your cursor on the link, click down on your scroll wheel. It’ll automatically open the link in a new tab!
  • Use the Spacebar to scroll up and down. Using a scroll bar — or worse, arrow keys — to move up and down a web page is tedious. So why not move up and down a page more quickly using the spacebar? Tapping on the spacebar on a web page will allow you to quickly scroll down. If you want to go back up, hold Shift while you tap the spacebar.
  • Use “Site:” to find content on a single site. If you’re searching Google but don’t want to look for results in just any old website, try out the search engine’s “Site:” command. From within the Google Search box, type “site:” followed with no space by the site of your choosing. For instance, “site:tomsguide.com” without quotation marks. You can then add a query after the URL and press Enter. Google will then only display relevant results from the site of your choosing.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 6,869,132 active COVID cases, 24,058,562 have recovered and there have been 569,282 deaths. 
  • The Baylor Bears are celebrating their first championship season – beating the previously undefeated Gonzaga Bulldogs 86-70 Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. 
  • NASA’s Ingenuity mini-helicopter has survived its first night alone on the frigid surface of Mars, the US space agency said, hailing it as “a major milestone” for the tiny craft as it prepares for its first flight. Detached from the Perseverance, Ingenuity had to rely on its own solar-powered battery to run a vital heater to protect its unshielded electrical components from freezing and cracking during the bitter Martian night, where temperatures can plunge as low as -130 degrees Fahrenheit. 
  • Google plans to migrate its internal financial software from Oracle to SAP. The two companies increasingly compete in the cloud computing market, and Oracle’s refusal to certify its database for use in Goggle’s cloud hampered the adoption between the two. 
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci warned Monday that Americans should still be vigilant and adhere to public health measures as warmer summer months approach. His comments come as vaccine production increases and a record number of coronavirus vaccine doses are administered.  

CK Daily – 3.09.2021

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Today’s Topics: Winnebago on Wheel! | Colored Power Cords | What is the difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5? | News to Start Your Day

Happy Tuesday!

Meatballs are probably a gift from the heavens – early recipes for meatballs are found in ancient Chinese, Arabic, and Roman texts – and every culture seems to have its own version! What’s your favorite recipe? Let’s all rejoice, today March 9th, in honor of National Meatball Day!

Happy Tuesday!

Anyone else a habitual Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! viewer like myself? 

If so, you probably saw the Winnebago they were showcasing on Wheel, I believe it will be on there all week, and that is darn near a dream vehicle. Back in 2018, my wife and I took a Camper van (if you don’t know what this refers to, check them out!) around the circumference of Iceland and we fell in love with this type of vehicle. Cozy sleeping arrangements, moveable tabletops, a sink, and a safe place to retreat to at your favorite campsites. My favorite part though? They aren’t intimidating to drive on the mountains, through switchback turns, or in heavy traffic because they are normally your average-sized van/big truck. 

Do you have any experience with any sort of vehicle like these? Maybe a DIY version? Would love to hear your experiences.

Looking forward to escaping again,

Corey

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today we will highlight our colored power cords! Colored power cords are a great way to identify and trace power cord runs in nearly any application. Installers, technicians, and managers can easily identify attributes (amperage, voltage redundancy) by a quick visual check and color identification. When power redundancy is required, using colored power cords to identify UPS and PDU origination is instant. Whether the cords are used in a basic or dense installation, these colored cords save time and money. We have a variety of power cords in different colors, lengths, AWGs, and connectors! Our colored power cords are also on sale, so grab them soon! 

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

What is the difference between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4, and OM5?

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 the 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 straight-forward. In almost every case, the best cable will be the one that meets your distance and speed needs at the lowest possible cost.

Still not sure which fiber cable is right for your data center or project? Chat with one of our Fiber Cable experts and they can help you decide and point you in the right direction.

Be sure to check out our new Corning LSZH Fiber cables today.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,756,390 active COVID cases, 20,449,634 have recovered and there have been 538,628 deaths. 
  • Chipotle is launching quesadillas nationwide on Thursday as a digital-only menu item. The burrito chain has been testing the items since 2018. Tacos and burrito bowls can be made quickly, but quesadillas need more time for the cheese to melt and the tortilla to turn golden. They knew this would require new cooking equipment and changing up its assembly lines. Chipotle will fill a tortilla with Monterrey Jack cheese and a protein of the customer’s choosing folds it and cooks it in a new custom over. Customers can also choose three salsas or sides to go with it. 
  • Kind is launching frozen smoothie bowls to appeal to consumers who eat their breakfast at home. The coronavirus pandemic has lifted sales of breakfast staples like cereal and Kind’s granola. Kind’s frozen smoothie bowls are meant to be a healthier alternative to other frozen breakfast items and include at least 7 grams of protein and no more than 9 grams of added sugar. 
  • The CDC released its first guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. People who are fully immunized can safely visit other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing. Vaccinated people can visit some unvaccinated people without masks or social distancing as well. 
  • Target will launch a new food and beverage line in early April. Favorite Day will feature more than 700 products, including premium ice creams and bakery items, oriented around snacking and indulging. Groceries are less profitable than other merchandise that Target sells, but they drive traffic to its stores and websites. 
  • SpaceX is working on an antenna that will connect vehicles like semi-trucks and RVs to its satellite internet network, CEO Elon Musk stated. Musk clarified that the antenna will not be for “connecting Tesla cars to Starlink.” “This is for aircraft, ships, large trucks & RVs.”

CK Daily – 3.08.2021

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Today’s Topics: Bullet Journaling | Kendall Howard Rack Screws & Cage Nuts | What is an SFP & how do they work?  | News to Start Your Day

Happy Monday!

March 8th is International Women’s Day! Today we celebrate the many achievements of all of the wonderful women in our lives. We are surrounded each day by incredible women, let them know you are proud of their success! 

Good Morning! Another new voice here for the CK daily e-mail! My name is Amy Mai and I’m part of the sales and customer service team at CablesAndKits.com.  My role involves a lot of planning and organizing. To keep myself on track of my personal and work life, I use a Bullet Journal. 

If you never heard of a bullet journal, it is a hybrid of a personal journal and a daily planner. The Bullet Journal “explores what it means to live an intentional life, one that’s both productive and meaningful.” I’ve been using this system for almost 3 years already and I can’t imagine going back to a normal planner. The biggest pro of bullet journaling is that it’s 100% customizable! You can pick and choose what spreads you want, how your weekly formats look, how big or small your font will be, the possibilities are endless. This can also be a con for some. It’s very hard to start from scratch. I recommend reading The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll If you are thinking about starting one. Ryder Carroll is the creator of the Bullet Journal. Why not learn what it is from the creator himself! Here is also a link to Ryder Carroll setting up his own Bullet Journal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRf43JTqY4&ab_channel=RyderCarroll

I hope you try this out! I look forward to talking to you in my next entry!

Amy

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Monday everyone! Today’s product spotlight will focus on our Kendall Howard Rack Screws & Cage Nuts! Kendall Howard 10-32 rack screws and cage nuts are made with superior quality and are available in bulk quantities. These hardened steel rack screws are used for installing rackmount devices such as cable managers, servers, shelves, networking, and other electronic equipment. The clear zinc cage nuts have a snap-in design which allows the nut to stay securely in place. These cage nuts are commonly used in wall mount cabinets, server enclosures, and open frame racks. The 10-32 rack screws are compatible with the 10-32 cage nuts and some come with a washer to prevent damages to your devices! 

What is an SFP & how do they work? – CK Learning Center

High-end networking demands high-end equipment. You have a plethora of options, but eventually, you have to make decisions on which technology covers each of your applications. When considering all of those options, an understanding of SFP transceivers is pivotal. It’s a core technology that serves as a primary workhorse in many networks. This guide is going to explain all about SFP and its primary uses.

SFP Overview

Starting with the basics, SFP stands for small form-factor pluggable. It’s also commonly called mini-GBIC (gigabit interface converter). SFP is a popular transceiver for three main reasons. First is the small form factor. Its size allows it to be used in tight networking spaces to provide fast communication between switches and important networking components. The second reason for its proliferation is the variety of SFP connection options. SFP works with copper or fiber optics. The networks that can’t utilize SFP are scarce. Finally, SFP is hot swappable. That makes it ideal for expanding or adjusting existing networks without having to redesign the entire cable infrastructure.

SFP Variety

SFP is designed to work with the bulk of modern networks. On the copper side, you will primarily find 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-TX modules for gigabit Ethernet networking. SFP modules are excellent for bridging communications between switches in compact environments, provided everything is within 100 meters.

On the fiber optics side of the equation, options are massive. SFP modules are made to support singlemode and multimode fiber. It works with simplex and duplex. Wavelength options range from 850 nm to 1550nm. Networking ranges are anywhere from around 500 meters to over 100 km. In all, there’s an SFP module for every job.

SFP Compatibility

SFP compatibility is deceptively tricky. There is not a formal, regulated international standard for these modules. Instead, compatibility is found within the multi-source agreement (MSA). This is an agreement supported by a number of manufacturers that work together to try and provide a reliable means of mixing and matching SFP brands successfully.

The challenge is that, despite the MSA, SFP modules tend to work best when brands are not mixed. It creates an interesting obstacle for optimizing equipment costs. You can follow MSA guidelines and try to use lower-cost parts in different components of your network, or you can simplify compatibility and stay within a single brand. The trade-off is usually between equipment costs and deployment time, but overall, MSA compatibility can be used successfully in most networks.

Applications of SFP’s

With all of this talk about SFP, the inevitable question arises. When is it useful? SFP has a wide reach of applications. For copper modules, the most common use (as mentioned before) is bridging network switches. They provide fast copper connections without requiring bulky equipment.

In the realm of fiber optics, the applications cover anything that might involve high-speed and/or long-range cables. High-definition audio transmission and reception, passive optical networks (PON), multiplexing, and simplex networking are some of the most common uses of this technology. The variability of SFP allows it to provide modules for any of these connections, and it provides a range of options in cost, speed, range, and accessibility.

Advanced SFP

Since the development of SFP, modernized advancements have been added to the mix. Namely, SFP+ and QSFP are now available. SFP+ is a faster version of the same form factor. It supports speeds up to 10Gbps, and it typically works across shorter distances. SFP+ ports are usually compatible with SFP optics, but the reverse is not true. SFP+ cannot operate slower than 1Gbps.

QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) is another transceiver with a range of support options. Ethernet, InfiniBand, SONET and fiber channels are all supported. The primary difference between QSFP and SFP is the quad form. QSFP can hit speeds up to 100 Gbps by utilizing four transmission and reception channels. QSFP is the powerful upgrade for systems that require huge bandwidth.

Complete mastery of SFP modules requires more learning that might fit in a single article, but this is enough to get started. What matters is that you understand how frequently SFP modules can be used to bridge communications between devices. From there, it’s a matter of matching the SFP design to the rest of the network.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,821,756 active COVID cases, 20,336,656 have recovered and there have been 537,838 deaths. 
  • National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver is supportive of the new high school league that pays young players at least $100,000. OTE announced it would be starting in September and pay up to 30 players at least $100,000 if they decide to join. The league is backed by Overtime investors including NBA stars Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony, and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. 
  • California health officials on Friday gave Walt Disney’s Disneyland and other theme parks the go-ahead to reopen at limited capacity from April 1, after a closure of almost a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Capacity will be limited to between 15% and 35%. Masks and other safety measures will be required and the parks initially will be open only to state residents. Outdoor stadiums and ball parks will also be allowed to reopen at reduced capacity, starting April 1st. 
  • The European Commission cleared Microsoft’s $7.5 billion acquisition of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax on Friday. It’s the biggest gaming acquisition in Microsoft’s history, eclipsing the $2.5 billion the firm paid for Minecraft developer Mojang in 2014. Microsoft plans to push its subscription offering, Xbox Game Pass, by bringing Bethesda’s games to its extensive library of titles. 
  • International benchmark Brent crude futures popped on Monday, moving above $70 a barrel for the first time in more than a year. The surge in oil prices came after Saudi Arabia said its oil facilities were targeted by missiles and drones. A Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for the attacks. Oil prices climbed more than 2% earlier in the session, but have since pared their gains with Brent trading up just 0.2% at $69.50 and U.S. crude futures rising 0.2% at $66.22.
  • The House is expected to pass the final version of a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package on Tuesday. The Senate voted 50-49 to approve the plan on Saturday, following a marathon debate of more than 24 hours. The package will bring a new round of payments to Americans battling the economic impacts of the pandemic, and it includes an increase to the child tax credit and an extension of supplemental unemployment benefits through September 6th. 

CK Daily – 3.05.2021

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Today’s Topics: New Names & New Products | Deals of the Week | Understanding Polarity for MPO | News to Start Your Day

Happy Friday!

March 5th holds celebrations of many national holidays, but today is National Day of Unplugging. While that seems a bit difficult when many things we do now are virtual, we challenge you to put aside your technology for at least an hour today and do something you enjoy! A notification-free conversation, a walk outside with your family…the options are endless! 

Good Morning! I know this has been a week full of new voices for the CK Daily e-mail, but don’t worry, I’m the last new introduction (for this week at least!). My name is Rebecca Vassy and I have been with CablesAndKits for a little over 4 years. Crazy to think that it has been that long… it definitely doesn’t feel like it! I am part of the Product Team and my main focus around here is adding new products to our portfolio! We have mentioned before that one of our big initiatives for this year is new product addition, and we are super excited about it! I will probably be asking for some feedback along the way here so that we can make sure to add products that YOU want and need! 

Outside of work, I really enjoy being active and spending time outside! I’m pretty passionate about running and about hiking. Living in Georgia is pretty ideal for both! I’ll be sure to share some of my favorite hiking spots from time to time as well for any locals who might also be interested in getting outside now that the weather is starting to warm up!

That’s all I’ve got for now! Hope everyone has an amazing weekend! 

Rebecca

Did you get the chance to save BIG this week? It’s not too late! Check out our incredible deals of the week! Grab them while you can and before it’s too late! What’s on the menu for this week’s deals? We’re glad you asked. Check them out below!

Understanding Polarity for MPO – CK Learning Center

High-end fiber optics are important to modern networking, but they’re a lot more complicated than some of their older counterparts. If you need the power of fiber, you might be looking into MPO systems. They can hit some of the highest speeds on the market today, but utilizing them requires knowledge. One key piece of knowledge that can help with MPO systems is polarity. Without this knowledge, you won’t get a connection across any of your lines.

What is MPO?

Multi-fiber push-on cables are pre-terminated cables that are designed for very high bandwidth. They start at 12-fiber cables that communicate at 10 Gbps. More advanced MPO cables utilize a 24-fiber design and can achieve 40/100 Gbps connections. MPO cables are designed for plug and play, they are compact and they are extremely common in data centers. The massive increase in internet capacity over the last decade has involved the use of MPO systems all over the place.

What is Polarity?

When it comes to using MPO systems, an issue of polarity arises. Generally speaking, polarity refers to the direction of flow. If you think about magnets, the polarity of the magnet tells you which way the field flows, and that tells you the direction of attraction or repulsion you would get with another magnet. It also determines the direction of an induced electric current, but let’s not wander too far into the weeds.

In fiber optics, polarity refers to the flow of information. In a simple duplex system, information flows from a transmitter (TX) to a receiver (Rx). Since a duplex system has fiber pairs, there are two possible ways to line up the Tx and Rx pair. Only one will work. The standard is that the A strand of one side needs to align with the B strand of the other side. If you match A-A, then no communication occurs. This is the basic idea of fiber polarity.

When you’re utilizing 12- or 24-strand MPO systems, polarity gets a lot more common. That’s why we refer to a standardized methodology to assure proper polarity.

3 MPO Cable Types

Before we get into the methods, it’s necessary to understand the three primary types of MPO cables: Type A, Type B, and Type C. Each cable has a unique design element that defines polarity in the system.

Type A MPO

Type A cables are also known as straight cables. They are the simplest MPO cables to understand. Each cable is sequenced 1-12. Since the cable is straight, the 1 node on each end is in the same spot relative to the sequence. The same is true for each of the fiber lines. But, if you recall the basic polarity example, this means that a Type A MPO cable cannot connect Tx to Rx without something to fix the polarity. We’ll cover that in a minute.

Type B MPO

Type B cables are known as reversed cables. They’re still pretty simple. Whereas Type A cables run in a straight line and the 1 node matches the 1 node on the other end, Type B reverses this. So, you’ll have 1-12 on one end and 12-1 on the other end. That means that a Type B cable can connect Tx to Rx without additional equipment.

Type C MPO

Also known as pairs flipped cables, these are the most complicated of the three. In Type C, each pair of strands is flipped along the run of the cable. That means 1 and 2 swap places, 3 and 4 swap places and so on. You can see why this type of cable requires a little extra though to use effectively.

Types of MPO Methods

Also known as pairs flipped cables, these are the most complicated of the three. In Type C, each pair of strands is flipped along the run of the cable. That means 1 and 2 swap places, 3 and 4 swap places, and so on. You can see why this type of cable requires a little extra though to use effectively.

Now that we have some basics covered, we can talk about ensuring matching polarity in the MPO systems. The methods utilize fiber patch cables. A standard patch cable is known as an A-B cable. It’s a straight cable where AB is on one end and BA is on the other. Conversely, an A-A patch cable does not have this alignment, and it can be used to flip the positions on one side of an MPO connection.

Method A

As you guessed from the name, this method is used for aligning Type A cables. Since the straight cables don’t achieve proper alignment on their own, you need to mix and match your two kinds of patch cables. With an A-B patch on one end and an A-A on the other end, you’ll get proper polarity and everything works. The tricky part is ensuring that you are getting male-female matches across the board. As long as you remember to use one of each patch cable, the limit combinations are easy enough to handle.

Method B

Aligning Type B cables is the easy part of all of this. They don’t require any extra flipping, so use an A-B patch cable at each end.

Method C

Type C cables are interesting. With a 12-strand cable, you can simply use an A-B patch on each end and your polarity is fine. The pair crossing built into the cable takes care of the problem. However, when you upgrade to 24-pair cables, things get exponentially more complicated, and standard patch cables no longer suffice.

40/100 GbE

So far, we’ve discussed polarity methods for 12-fiber cables. Applications that need 24-fiber cables are clearly more complicated. Because position matching has so many options, there isn’t a clear standard to follow. Instead, we can simplify 24-fiber designs with a simplified rule. Stick with Type A cables and use a Type AF cassette. With this cassette, you won’t need the A-A patch cable and things are as simple as possible.

That said, you still need to meticulously check the alignment pins with the cassette to ensure the positions match accordingly. Another rule to help with this is to stick with female cassettes and male-to-male trunk cables. This forces you to employ female-to-female patch cords, and they’re better for avoiding transceiver damage.

Polarity is a simple concept with complicated applications. These rules simplify the equations and can help you save time and stress when installing and operating MPO systems. With polarity conquered, you have access to some of the most powerful networking technology in the world today.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,899,859 active COVID cases, 20,093,745 have recovered and there have been 533,641 deaths. 
  • Alabama plans to on April 9th, lift a statewide order requiring people to wear masks in public. Gov. Kay Ivey extended the mask order and other health measures that were set to expire on March 8th to give businesses enough time to institute their own policies. The governor urged residents to continue wearing face coverings, even though the state will no longer mandate them. 
  • As vaccination rollouts gather pace around the world, attention is now turning to vaccines of another kind: vaccine passports. Last week, the International Air Transport Association announced the launch of its new digital travel pass as “the way forward” in resuming quarantine-free international travel. The app, which is being tested by 30 carriers, will allow governments and airlines to collect, access, and share encrypted information related to passengers’ Covid-19 test and vaccination status prior to travel. 
  • Amazon wants to be the National Football League’s exclusive producer of Thursday games starting in 2023, but the NFL may decide to keep certain games on the NFL Network and take less money from Amazon. Amazon is in talks with the league to pay about $1 billion for an entire season’s worth of exclusive games, outside of the local TV markets of the two teams playing. 
  • Facebook announced that it had built an artificial intelligence program that can “see” what it is looking at. It did this by feeding it over 1 billion public images from Instagram. The “computer vision” program, nicknamed SEER, outperformed existing AI Models is an object recognition test. The program achieved a “classification accuracy score” of 84.2% when it attempted a test provided by ImageNet. 
  • Amazon opened its first physical store outside the U.S. in London on Thursday. It is called Amazon Fresh. The store lets customers walk in, pick up what they want, and walk out again without having to pay at a cash register. Amazon Fresh uses the same technology pioneered by the tech giant’s Amazon Go stores in the U.S.

CK Daily – 3.04.2021

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Today’s Topics: Thank You for Calling CablesAndKits! | Server Hard Drives | How to Choose a Rackmount Server | News to Start Your Day

Happy Thursday!

March 4th to the rhythm of life because today is National Marching Music Day! Do we have any musicians or performers in our CK Family? Today we celebrate all the varieties of art forms that bring us “music on the move.”

“Thank you for calling CablesAndKits! My name is Shanyce, how may I serve you?”

Have you ever heard a line like this when calling us? In the world of Customer Service, our main goal is to literally “serve your face off” as we like to say around here. We are here for you! Yes, even you, who has only called us once! 

In an effort to never miss a single call, the Customer Service Team is in the middle of a transition to a new phone system that will help us serve you even better. After taking some time to research, we realized our current system was not sufficient nor up to our own standards, so we quickly decided to pivot to a better system. This new system will allow us to analyze call patterns, lower wait times (no one likes to sit and listen to hold music), and allow our remote team to stay connected and work seamlessly from their home. 

The team and I look forward to the flexibility we will receive by customizing to our customer’s needs, based on best practices, and to, of course, SERVE YOUR FACE OFF! 

I look forward to talking to ya on the phone soon!

Shanyce

Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today’s we’ll be spotlighting server hard drives. Did you know all of our server hard drivescome with an industry-leading advanced replacement lifetime warranty? We carry a wide selection of Cisco, HP, and Dell server hard drives with a variety of sizes and storage capacity. All of our hard drives are fully tested and you’ll get the same great quality as a brand new hard drive at a much lower cost. Each of our refurbished drives are wiped of previous information and are repackaged and ready to use when you receive them. Grab a few today!

How to Choose a Rackmount Server – CK Learning Center

Hosting a server on-premises at your small business comes with many advantages. It gives you full control of the server, software, and elements related to the server such as the ability to add more terminals and grant access to the right individuals inside and outside of the premises. There are several different types of servers and various form factors, however, a rackmount server is ideal for many businesses. Rackmount servers take up a small space in your building and are generally easy to install. These servers can offer increased security and require few resources to get up and running.

There are many rackmount servers out there in the market with different sizes, capabilities, and for different operating environments. Here is a quick guide on choosing the right rackmount server for your business.

Size

One of the most important things to consider when purchasing a rackmount server is size. Will you be putting the server in a pre-existing rack? Will it be free-standing? If you plan to install the server into a rack, size is critical to ensure that it fits properly. Rackmount servers are typically 19” wide and the standard height is 1.75” (1U). They can also come in larger 2U, 3U, or even 4U heights that allow more room for additional processors and other components.

Memory

For most businesses, the server manages all the computer functions including storage and sharing of files. This means that the server is responsible for storing financial and customer data, managing emails, printers, and running software. The amount of memory and storage you will need will vary depending on the specific demands you will be putting on your server. When starting out, consider a server with at least 8GB of memory, at least 1TB storage space and about 8 to 16 processor cores. Think of a core as similar to a CPU. Therefore, a 10-core processor works like ten CPUs combined.

You can always upgrade your server components later on, should you need even more capabilities. When doing so, be sure to ensure that the parts match with those already in the server. They should be from the same manufacturer and for the specified model.

Virtualization

Virtualization is the act of creating many virtual computers, each allocated a slice of the available memory, number of processors, and storage to run a specific function different from the other. A software called hypervisor distributes these resources among the virtual computers to enhance their functionality. Each virtual computer works independently.

The main hypervisors in the market are Microsoft’s Hyper-V and VMware’s vShphere. If you are running all the programs exclusively on the Microsoft platform, the Hyper-V may be a cost-effective option. However, if you need support for other operating systems such as Linux, consider alternatives like vShere or Oracle VM.

Operating Systems

The most common Operating System in servers is Windows. It has been around for a long time and has excellent features for your business. Moreover, you are likely to find many professionals who are skilled in diagnosing Windows-based server applications. However, this OS does not support non-Microsoft applications. If you are likely to use open source software, consider purchasing a server that can allow different OS through virtualization and also check other OS programs such as SUSE, Red Hat, or Ubuntu.

Your Budget vs. The Requirements

Many small and medium businesses are constrained by a lack of adequate funding. If you are in such a situation, you may be looking for the least expensive server in the market. However, it is good to strike a balance between quality and price. Make a projection of your computing power needs for the next five years and pick a server that can handle the requirements until then. It does not need to have all the storage requirements and memory for now, but the available capacity should run for at least three years. This way, you avoid the costs that come with disposing of the server and purchasing a bigger one in the near future. It may be more expensive than buying a high-capacity server today.

This article is from the CK Learning Center.

  • As of this morning, in the US, there are 8,922,245 active COVID cases, 20,003,339 have recovered and there have been 531,657 deaths. 
  • President Joe Biden has backed a plan to phase out direct payments more quickly in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. The $1400 checks in the Senate’s version of the plan will start to phase out at $75,000 in income for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers and read fully for those who earn $80,000 and $160,000, respectively. The income caps are lower than those passed by the House. Moderate Senate Democrats had called to limit the scope of the payments as the party seeks to pass its rescue plan in the coming days. 
  • A San Francisco start-up called Ample wants to make electric vehicle battery swapping work in the United States following a history of failure by others in the space. When electric vehicles started gaining ground in the early 2010s, Tesla and a start-up called Better Space promised their customer would have the convenient option of battery swapping. Both companies failed to make swapping commercially viable. Ample now operates five battery swap stations in the San Franciso Bay Area specifically for Uber drivers. Participating drivers with supported electric vehicles can exchange a spent battery for a fully charged one in less than 10 minutes. 
  • FedEx announced on Wednesday that it will invest an initial $2 billion toward sustainable energy initiatives, including more electric vehicles and carbon capture research. The investment is part of the company’s new goal to become carbon neutral by 2040. FedEx will give Yale University $100 million to help researchers develop carbon capture technologies. 
  • American rock band Kings of Leon is getting in on the frenzy over non-fungible tokens, widely known as NFTs. The group announced they’ll offer their latest album, “When You See Yourself,” in the form of an NFT, making it among the first bands to do so. Kings of Leon is offering its album package with vinyl and digital download for a token priced at $50. It’ll be released Friday on YellowHeart and open for two weeks starting at noon. After that two-week period, no ore will be made. 
  • Plans are underway to provide a COVID-19 vaccine to thousands of teachers and staff at schools across metro Atlanta and Georgia in the coming weeks.
    Next week, employees of the Hall County School District will receive the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a mass vaccination site south of Gainesville. The school system is partnering with the District 2 Georgia Department of Public Health and Free Chapel of Gainesville, which is hosting the event Thursday and Friday at its campus on McEver Road. The vaccine is voluntary for the 3,400 Hall County School District employees.