CablesAndKits Blog

Happy Wednesday! Midweek is a great time to pause, take a breath, and check in with yourself. Whether the week feels full or calm, today offers a chance to reset before moving forward. How is your week going so far?

In This Issue: Finding Positivity in Unexpected Places | Deal of the Day | Deskmount Microphone Stand With Rotating Phone Holder | Cisco Catalyst Upgrade Path | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finding Positivity in Unexpected Places

Happy Wednesday, everyone! At last, it’s already the last week of January. A lot has happened, yet it’s still January. Is it just me?

My weekend was full of thinking and planning. Since I already built a house for my family in our hometown, I’ve recently been thinking about separating and living alone in the city so I can live more independently. But I guess it’s innate for Filipinos to have strong family ties, so I’m having second thoughts, especially when I think about my mom. Honestly, her relationship with my dad hasn’t been great lately.

Anyway, while thinking about all of this, I looked for something that could help relax my mind or bring some positivity. Then I saw a post on Facebook with a thread that said to ask ChatGPT, “Create an image of how I treat you.” It made me curious since I use ChatGPT almost every day, so I decided to try it and ask the same question. Surprisingly, this is the image it generated. Somehow, seeing it gave me a sense of relief. I thought I might be too hard on using ChatGPT, but gladly, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

How about you? I’m sure you’re also using ChatGPT. Try asking it the same thing and share the image it generates.

Have a great Wednesday!

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Take your recording to the next level with this adjustable Desktop Microphone Stand with a rotating phone holder. The phone holder fits most cell phones and is easy to adjust, allowing you the convenience of recording hands free. This microphone stand also features a double-sided net pop-filter which works to effectively reduce background noise to increase the quality of your recordings.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Catalyst Upgrade Path

In Ethernet connections, the cable itself (or other Ethernet cables in the area) can create crosstalk. Since Ethernet is made from twisting pairs of copper wires, there are multiple electrical signals present in a single Ethernet cable. Those signals can interfere with each other and disrupt the flow of data. That’s the essence of Ethernet crosstalk.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• More than 300,000 without power as winter storm death toll surpasses 40; new storm ahead this weekend. 
• ​​​​Amazon to shut down all Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores.
• ​​US warns Korea against targeting American tech firms amid trade escalation.

It’s Tuesday! National Chocolate Cake Day celebrates one of the most beloved desserts of all time. From birthdays to anniversaries, cake often marks life’s sweetest moments. How do you like your chocolate cake, rich and fudgy or light and fluffy?

In This Issue: A Chilly Weekend with a Major Win | Deal of the Day | Cat5e Bulk Ethernet Cable | Modernize Your Network Without Replacing Everything | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Chilly Weekend with a Major Win

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone survived the arctic blast over the weekend!

I’m super thankful to report that the weather held off long enough to allow the Classic City Marathon to go forward as planned! I ran the half marathon which was a really fun experience. I’ve done several half marathons in the past, but this was my first time running one in Athens, GA and it was truly unique! Since Athens is a college town, there were tons of college students and sororities/fraternities that came out to support the runners. We passed so many people with signs cheering us on, which was such a mental boost when the miles started feeling long!

I finished the race in 1:50 which felt like a “win” since my goal was to finish in under 2 hours! The feeling of success after 3 months of training is definitely a sweet one… but my legs have been screaming at me ever since! I’m thankful for some time to rest up and recover before getting back to running for fun (at least for a while!).

Aside from the race, I spent the weekend inside weathering the ice storm. It certainly was underwhelming where I was in comparison to the forecast. We lost power for a couple hours, but aside from that it was uneventful! I still enjoyed the forced time of slowing down. I ate a lot of snacks, played some games, made a fire, and just relaxed!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This network cable is ideal for structured cabling in both residential and commercial settings, commonly used to connect devices such as computers, routers, switches, and patch panels for internet and network communication.

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Learning Center Article – Modernize Your Network Without Replacing Everything

A better network doesn’t always mean a full overhaul. In our latest blog, we highlight 10 targeted upgrades—like higher-speed optics, uplink modules, and better cable management—that deliver real performance gains while keeping budgets in check.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Winter storm death toll rises across US. 
• ​​​​Southwest ends open seating, closing a quirky chapter in flying.
• China’s humanoid robots are coming for the US market.

Happy Monday! With last weekend’s winter storm affecting so many areas, we wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing. We hope you and your loved ones stayed safe and are easing back into the week. 🙏🏻

In This Issue: Weathering the Winter Storm | Deal of the Day | APC Basic 1U Rack PDU | Ferrari-Style Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Weathering the Winter Storm

Happy Monday!

This weekend was a little stressful. A large winter storm rolled through our area and we spent most of the time wondering if we were going to lose power. Thankfully we didn’t, but the ice covered just about everything, so we’ve been stuck at home for a few days. We were also very fortunate that no large trees fell around us. Staying warm and safe was a big win.

We made the most of it by staying indoors, playing games, and getting some cleaning done. That said, the cabin fever is definitely starting to set in. We’re really looking forward to things thawing out over the next couple of days and getting back to some sense of normal.

The kids are out of school again today, so we’ll be staying in a bit longer. Hope you’re staying warm and staying safe out there.

I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The APC AP9563 is a straightforward and dependable basic 1U rack Power Distribution Unit (PDU) designed to deliver reliable AC power to equipment in small to medium IT environments. This PDU offers essential power distribution without advanced management features, making it an excellent and cost‑effective choice for network closets, offices, labs, and other standard rack installations.

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Learning Center Article – What are Ferrari-Style Ethernet Cables?

When you consider cables, your top concerns are often data rates, energy loss and cost. The often overlooked value in Ethernet cabling is in their utility. This comes down to the molded boot. Ferrari boots (Easyboots) are simply undervalued. The molding is thinner than typical Cat5 or Cat6 connectors, and it is specifically engineered to connect faster and with fewer snags.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Dangerous ice, brutal cold leave millions in South without power. 
• ​​​​Doctors are ignoring new federal vaccine recommendations.
• ​​Amazon’s AI ‘Bee‘ gadget sounds like a privacy nightmare.

Happy Friday! We are closing the week with a dessert worth celebrating. National Pie Day honors one of the most loved treats, from fruit-filled favorites to creamy classics. What is your go-to pie flavor?

In This Issue: Serving Together and Looking Ahead | Deal of the Day | Kendall Howard 2 Piece Telco Rack Shelf | Ethernet Wiring and Cable Pinout | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Serving Together and Looking Ahead

Happy Friday, friends! As we wrap up the week, I wanted to share a couple of updates and say a heartfelt thank you.

Back in December, we told you about a local toy giveaway for our neighbors in need and invited you to come alongside us. I’m so grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. The toy giveaway was truly a success. We had an amazing group of volunteers, including a few Georgia football players, and together we were able to serve 250 families, which meant more than 600 children received gifts. Seeing the community come together like that was incredibly special.

If you participated in any kind of giving effort this season, we’d love to hear about it. And if you’d like to see a short video from our breakfast and toy giveaway, you can check it out here: 2025 iServe Toy Giveaway.

Looking ahead, we’re also keeping an eye on the winter weather expected to move across much of the country this weekend. While we don’t yet know how it might impact us locally, we are preparing for the possibility that Monday could look a little different than usual. At this time, we do not expect any delays with shipping orders. If anything unexpected comes up that affects how we’re able to serve you, we’ll share updates in a banner at the top of cablesandkits.com.

For all our friends who may be dealing with this unusual weather, we’re thinking of you and hope you stay warm and safe.

Christin

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Made to fit any two post rack, this shelf boasts a weight capacity of 200 pounds and can be mounted right-side up with front flanges to provide greater security for your components or flipped upside down for a larger usable surface.

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Learning Center Article – Ethernet Wiring and Cable Pinout

When pinning out Ethernet cables the first thing you have to do is know exactly what type of Ethernet patch cord you are wanting to pin out.

• Straight-through Ethernet (standard)
• Crossover Cables
• Rollover Cables

All of these pinouts are based on T568B specs.

Since the wires are colored, it helps to make sure that you are using the right color if you do not know the pins.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US officially exits World Health Organization, accusing agency of straying ‘from its core mission’. 
• ​​​​Winter storm live updates: At least 11 states declare state of emergency
• ​​​TikTok closes deal to split US app from global business.

It’s Thursday! Today highlights a sweet twist on a classic dessert. National Blonde Brownie Day celebrates blondies, known for their rich, buttery flavor and chewy texture. Do you prefer blondies or classic brownies?

In This Issue: Full Weekend then Fresh Reset | Deal of the Day | Cat8 Bulk Ethernet Cable | How to Calculate Power Consumption for your Server Room | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Full Weekend then Fresh Reset

Good morning!

This past weekend was a bit of a crammed one, but still really fun. Right after class on Friday, Alex and I headed back home so we could settle in and have dinner with his family before his sister’s baby shower early Saturday morning. It was so nice getting to see everyone and celebrate them. After the shower, we packed right back up and drove to Athens to knock out errands and do a much needed deep clean.

Once everything was done, we stayed up late hanging art in the kitchen and doing a game night to celebrate one of his roommate’s birthdays from earlier in the week. Sunday brought more fun and another game night, this time with his roommate’s friend that was visiting. My favorite game we played was ‘The Game’, I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something new and a little different!

By Monday, I was so happy to get back into my routine to rest and recharge my social battery after such a full weekend. I caught up on work, dove head-first into schoolwork, and ended the day watching the college football playoffs. As a UGA student, I was very happy with how it went, but it’s still a little sad knowing football season is coming to an end. At least we still have the Super Bowl to look forward to, and I’m grateful for that! I hope you all had an amazing weekend, packed or not!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Upgrade your network with this high-performance Cat8 Solid S/FTP Bulk Ethernet Cable, designed for ultra-fast data transmission and maximum shielding. With 23AWG solid copper conductors, this 500 ft. cable supports speeds up to 40Gbps and bandwidth up to 2000 MHz, making it ideal for data centers, high-density server environments, and enterprise-level installations.

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Learning Center Article – How to Calculate Power Consumption for your Server Room

Power draw is one of the most limiting factors when it comes to operating servers and high-end networks. Eventually, you hit a ceiling and don’t have enough power for more expansion. So, as you continue to adapt and redesign your server room, you need to be able to keep track of power consumption. These tips will help you do that.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon CEO: Prices have gone up from tariffs. 
• ​​​​Crews spread salt on roads and people stock up on batteries as a winter storm threatens the US.
• ​​Bezos’ Blue Origin announces satellite rival to Musk’s Starlink.

Happy Wednesday! Today is National Hugging Day, a reminder of how small gestures can go a long way. Whether it is a hug shared with a loved one or a moment of appreciation for those around you, connection matters. Sending virtual hugs to all from CablesAndKits!

In This Issue: Small Habits, Big Impact | Deal of the Day | RJ11 6P4C Line Splitter Adapter | What Does 5G Mean for Business Networks? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Small Habits, Big Impact

Good morning, everyone! How’s your task list looking this week? I hope you’re having a productive one so far.

One of my New Year’s resolutions every year is to lose weight. I can usually start strong, but my challenge has always been consistency. There are days when I can stay on track, but there’s always that one day in the month when laziness wins and sometimes, cravings. Undying cravings. I’ll admit it. This year, though, I’m really pushing myself to take it seriously. I read a story online that made me realize how important it is to love and take care of yourself. I still have a lot of things I want to do and achieve, so I know I need better self-control and the discipline to fight laziness.

Speaking of goals, aside from getting fit, my boyfriend and I also started saving using a cute piggy bank. We decided to set aside around 1% of our salary daily. Why only 1%? Because in our country, everything keeps increasing. Bills, medication, food, literally everything. Of course, whenever we have extra, for example after buying our weekly consumables, we make sure to add the remaining change to our savings, even the coins. At the very least, we’re building the habit of saving something for the future.

Simple steps, but they definitely matter when added up.

I’d love to hear any saving tips you’d like to share.

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily expand your phone line connection with this RJ11 6P4C Line Splitter. Designed to divide a single RJ11 wall jack into three distinct ports, this splitter provides separate outputs for Line 1, Line 2, and a combined Line 1+2. The compact, white design blends with any decor and fits easily into tight spaces.

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Learning Center Article – What Does 5G Mean for Business Networks?

The name itself refers to fifth generation mobile wireless networking. In effect, it is an overall upgrade to every aspect of performance in mobile networks. It’s designed for faster data rates, more connectivity and traffic, lower power demands and lower deployment costs. It’s still largely in a developmental phase. Components of 5G networking are ready to go to market, but large scale networks are still primarily in testing phases. Because of that, raw data on 5G performance is a mix of practical and theoretical.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Snow storm brewing this week could be ‘most impactful’ of the winter. 
• ​​​​Japan restarts world’s largest nuclear plant.
• ​​Amazon pockets $0.30 per item by swapping human workers for robots.