CablesAndKits Blog

Today highlights a humble but versatile ingredient. National Cabbage Day celebrates this garden staple that shows up in everything from hearty soups to classic corned beef and cabbage. Do you have a favorite cabbage recipe you would like to share?

In This Issue: Love and Lunar New Year | Deal of the Day | AC Power Cord | DVI Connectors | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Love and Lunar New Year

Happy Tuesday, friends! Coming off Valentine’s weekend, I wanted to share a fun CK love story with you.

Picture it: Georgia, 2018. (Golden Girls, anyone?) Craig, our CEO, and two members of our sourcing team are planning a trip to China. Somewhere a little late in the planning process, they realize they’ll need an interpreter to travel with them. Through a connection, they’re introduced to Angelina, a Chinese-born, English-speaking interpreter who works in translation and interpretation across several fields.

Angelina agrees to meet our team at the airport and travel with them. What they didn’t know yet was that this trip would become a turning point for one member of our sourcing team…

Before I tell you the rest of that story, there’s one more piece that connects to all of this: Lunar New Year.

Years ago, before we had suppliers in Asian countries, Lunar New Year wasn’t something that was really on my radar. I may have seen parades with big dragons or noticed Zodiac signs printed on placemats at my local Chinese restaurant, but I didn’t fully understand the traditions or how much it impacts the world.

Today, Lunar New Year impacts us in many ways. We plan around supplier shutdowns during celebrations, we have team members in the Philippines who celebrate, and we have dear friends living everyday life in China. Lunar New Year 2026 runs from February 17 to March 3, and during that time some of our team members will share how they celebrate in their country. I’m excited to learn more about their traditions!

Next time, I’ll tell you what happened when our team met Angelina at the airport…

Christin

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

With its universal compatibility, the AC Power Cord effortlessly connects to a wide range of devices. The space-saving design, featuring a C13 right-angle connector, ensures efficient placement even in tight spaces. Rest assured, its safety certified to meet rigorous standards, providing protection for your valuable equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Difference in DVI Connectors

The DVI connector usually contains pins to pass the DVI-native digital video signals. The DVI port on a device determines how it interfaces with various displays, making it essential to choose the correct connector. In the case of dual-link systems, additional pins are provided for the second set of data signals.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• SpaceX alumni raise $50 million for data center optical tech. 
• ​Data centers spark concerns over water, electricity costs.​
• China unveils low-cost electric SUV with 440-mile range, advanced driver-assist tech.

Starting the week with a national holiday. Presidents Day is observed on the third Monday in February. While it once honored Washington’s birthday specifically, it is now a day to reflect on U.S. presidents and the history they shaped. How are you spending Presidents Day this year?

In This Issue: Living That Soccer Life | Deal of the Day | Cisco Switch Bundle | SFP-10G-SR | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Living That Soccer Life

Good morning and happy Monday! Life is in full swing around here right now. It’s work plus full-on soccer life ⚽

Our son is playing high school soccer, and our daughter is juggling middle school soccer and club soccer. That means weeknights spent crisscrossing town for different practices and games, and weekends packed with travel across the Southeast for our daughter’s club matches. On top of all that, our son will be busy refereeing on the weekends too. He loves earning his own money and saving it, and I love watching him grow into that responsibility. It’s one of those funny joys of parenthood that I never imagined!

Right now, life really is work + soccer, but in April, things will finally slow down a bit, and I’m already counting down to warmer weather.

Mandy

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This Cisco Catalyst 9200L deployment kit delivers enterprise-class performance and scalability in one convenient package. It includes (1) C9200L-48P-4G-E 48-port PoE+ switch, (4) GLC-SX-MMD SFP transceiver modules, and (1) C9200L-STACK-KIT for seamless stacking and network expansion, making it ideal for secure and reliable access-layer deployments.

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Learning Center Article – 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)?

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Amazon now owns shares of Wall Street’s hottest quantum computing stock. 
• ​Trump reviews potential entry of Chinese automakers with US auto industry.
• Warner Bros weighs reopening sale talks with Paramount.

We are ending the week with a celebration of friendship. Galentine’s Day is all about women coming together to appreciate and support each other, right before Valentine’s Day. Do you celebrate Galentine’s Day? Either way, advance happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!

In This Issue: Legacy in Motion | Deal of the Day | NEMA 5-15P to NEMA 5-15R | WLAN Controller | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Legacy in Motion

Happy Friday!!! Lately I’ve been reminded that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it shows up quietly in the small moments of an ordinary week.

Watching my oldest step onto that high school soccer field for the first time and absolutely own it stirred something deep in me. There was grit in her stride and fire in her eyes, the same steady intensity her late great-grandfather Augusto carried. It felt like watching legacy in motion. I could almost hear him cheering. Pride doesn’t quite cover it. It was something bigger, maybe gratitude, for seeing the past echo so powerfully into the future.

At the same time, life keeps moving in every direction. We’re getting our youngest ready for her upcoming tennis matches, tightening up serves and building confidence point by point. The house feels alive with momentum. And in between practices and preparations, there are the moments that make me laugh the hardest, wrestling with my boys in the living room and tossing them onto the couch (safely) whenever the opportunity presents itself. Their laughter is contagious, the kind that fills the whole house and reminds me not to take everything so seriously.

And then there’s the quiet strength too, sitting beside my amazing wife at the end of the day, catching our breath together, sharing stories, and planning what’s next. Those moments ground me.

As I gear up to announce the wrestling show this Friday night, I feel that familiar spark building again, the crowd, the lights, and the storytelling in the ring. It’s a different kind of energy, but it all connects. Family, legacy, laughter, passion. The big milestones are beautiful, but it’s the little things, the practices, the couch wrestling, and the late-night conversations that remind me just how full this life really is.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 25-foot power cord features a standard NEMA 5-15P male plug and NEMA 5-15R female receptacle, supporting up to 15 amps at 125 volts for safe and consistent power delivery to a wide range of devices. Constructed with 14 AWG copper-core conductors and a rugged black jacket, this cord offers excellent electrical performance, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion, kinking, and wear.

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Learning Center Article – What is a WLAN Controller?

Every time you increase its capacity, you have to configure devices. At the same time, you also have to make sure you have good wireless coverage across the physical areas you support. And if you run into bottlenecks anywhere in the network, you have to redesign and rethink everything.

Here’s the good news. There is a way to make all of this management easier. It’s called a WLAN controller, and it has a lot to offer modern wireless networks.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Stocks drop sharply as investors hunt for losers that will be hurt by AI. 
• ​US facing potential ‘new housing crisis‘.
• Scientists grew mini human spinal cords, then made them repair after injury.

Hello Thursday! Today highlights a dessert with tradition and history. National Plum Pudding Day celebrates the classic holiday treat, also known as Christmas pudding. Have you ever tried plum pudding before?

In This Issue: Love in all Forms | Deal of the Day | HDMI Cable | Industrial Switches vs Commercial Switches | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Love in all Forms

Happy Thursday!!

This weekend started off strong with a fun Galentine’s night on Friday with a mix of old and new friends. We ate, made beaded bracelets, and spent the night catching up and enjoying each other’s company. It was such a sweet way to kick things off.

Saturday put me into full support mode since Alex had been feeling sick all week. It was the first day he could really rest, and the first day I could fully take care of him. I brought over all his favorite sick day essentials so he could stay cozy in his pajamas, get some work done, and not have to go anywhere. Sunday looked pretty similar, with more rest and a quick grocery run. Thankfully, it seemed to help him a lot. I might be paying for it now though, since my nose has started running, but I’m hoping that’s just the wild weather lately.

Looking ahead, I’m really excited for Valentine’s weekend. Alex and I keep it simple since our anniversary is so close, but I’m still looking forward to a nice dinner and a chance to fully turn my brain off from school, work, and everything else.

What are your plans for the weekend? I’d love to hear how you celebrate Valentine’s Day, whether that’s with friends, family, or your partner!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Deliver crisp, high-definition audio and video with this 25-foot HDMI cable, designed to support 4K resolution at 60Hz for smooth, detailed, and immersive viewing. Built with 26 AWG conductors, this cable ensures reliable signal transmission over longer distances, making it ideal for home entertainment systems, conference rooms, classrooms, and professional AV setups.

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Learning Center Article – Industrial Switches vs Commercial Switches

Switches are used to connect core devices in a network while end users might not connect directly through a switch. Because of that, switches can specialize in how they support networking and the tasks they perform, and that allows for design enhancements.

One family of those enhancements caters to toughness and longevity, and that is why we have industrial switches.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Amazon Pharmacy will expand Same-Day Delivery to nearly 4,500 cities in 2026. 
• US team tests 1st nuclear medicine device on cancer patient.
• Pentagon pushes OpenAI and Anthropic for fewer restrictions on classified military AI tools.

Midweek is a perfect time for a little comfort. National Latte Day celebrates the smooth, creamy coffee classic made with espresso and steamed milk. Whether you like it plain or flavored, a latte can make the day feel a bit brighter. How do you like your latte, hot or iced?

In This Issue: Cozy Weekend Gaming | Deal of the Day | Lighted Foot Switch Extension Cord | Tips for Maintaining Your Server | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Cozy Weekend Gaming

Good morning, everyone! How’s your week going so far?

One of the ways I spend my weekends, aside from doing my rhinestone (diamond) painting, is playing mobile games. The game I recently started playing is called Heartopia. I saw it while browsing on TikTok, and as a cozy game “gamer,” I was intrigued. The animation looked cute, and the content I watched felt so cozy, so I downloaded it. Since the weekend up to now, I’m still playing it, so I guess that says a lot about how much I like it.

The game is a life simulation crafted for creativity, freedom, and peace. You can design and build your own house. It’s kind of like using AutoCAD, but with a cute interface. You can explore different hobbies like cooking, gardening, bird watching, and fishing, plus three more that I haven’t unlocked yet. These hobbies help you earn money in the game, which you can use to buy materials, fixtures, appliances, and many other things for your house. You can customize almost everything, from clothes to your home.

Sorry, I shared a lot about the game. Sometimes I find myself wondering, if only in the real world it were that easy to earn money, buy what you want, travel with ease, and explore the world without feeling unsafe. I think that would be so wonderful. My kid-at-heart is playing again because of this game, and I love it.

Are there any games you’re also fond of, maybe for relaxation or just as a pastime? What game is it?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This extension cord features an easy to access foot switch and is the perfect product for every household. This cord comes with an easily spottable on and off toggle switch which remains partially lit when turned off, making the switch easy to find when you are in the dark. The switch comes with 3 outlets, making it a perfect choice for living rooms, dining rooms, nightlights, and even holiday decorations.

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Learning Center Article – Tips for Maintaining Your Server

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.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Taiwan to send team to assess US rare earth deposits. 
• ​Moderna shares fall as FDA declines to review new flu vaccine.​
• Kraft Heinz pauses plan to split into two companies.

Happy Tuesday! Today is a great reminder that online safety matters. Safer Internet Day brings awareness, education, and tools to help create a safer internet for both kids and adults. From identity theft to scams and cyberbullying, small habits can make a big difference. What is one online safety tip you always follow?

In This Issue: A Perfect Winter Getaway | Deal of the Day | Mini DisplayPort Adapter | Unified Communications | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Perfect Winter Getaway

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great week so far!

I’m back after a long weekend. We went up to Franklin, NC for a little winter getaway! We stayed at a cute little cabin that was about 15 minutes outside of town. It was quiet and peaceful which was exactly the vibe we were going for. We mostly spent our days exploring various hikes & waterfalls in the area. We saw 9 waterfalls over the weekend which was crazy! The weather has been super cold lately, so many of them were partially frozen over which made them even more beautiful.

Aside from hiking, we spent some time exploring some of the cute towns nearby. We loved walking around Highlands, NC and found some really good places to eat there. We also enjoyed a little time in Sylva, Dillsboro, and Bryson City. It’s the off season for these areas, so there weren’t many crowds and we were able to truly enjoy exploring the little shops and restaurants.

It was a perfect little mid-February getaway!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The latest MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models feature a Mini DisplayPort, giving you the flexibility to connect an external display or projector with the help of an adapter. Whether you’re looking to extend your desktop for increased productivity, use an external display as your main workspace, or mirror your screen for presentations, this feature makes it easy to get the most out of your Mac’s display capabilities.

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Learning Center Article – What Is Unified Communications?

Unified communications (UC) is a classification of technology products. The products under this classification include equipment, software, and services, and they all aim to provide a concise technological solution.

UC technology is designed to provide and combine various communications channels, usually for enterprise networks.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Record snow drought in western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires. 
• ​Amazon plans to launch AI content marketplace.​
• Electric semi-trucks could serve as mobile AI data centers, Belgian startup proposes.