CablesAndKits Blog

It’s Tuesday! Today is National Cheese Lover’s Day and it invites everyone to enjoy their favorites, whether that means snacking, cooking, or indulging a little extra. From sharp cheddar to creamy brie, there is a cheese for every mood. What cheese dish is your favorite?

In This Issue: Enjoying the Pause Before the Push | Deal of the Day | J-Hook | Guide to Troubleshooting Common Ethernet Cable Issues | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Enjoying the Pause Before the Push

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!

I had a really nice, but low-key weekend. I had my nieces and nephew over on Saturday which was a lot of fun. We didn’t do a whole lot, just hung out at the house, ordered in pizza, and spent some time playing a few games! Normally we are very much on-the-go, so it was a nice change of pace to just stay home and chill!

I also finished my last long training run before my half marathon next weekend. It was “only” an 8 mile run and I actually felt really good during it which was encouraging. My plan is to take it really easy this week and show up feeling fresh on race day! Unfortunately, I’m seeing weather predictions for some sort of winter weather event that may hit over the weekend. Keeping my fingers crossed that the weather doesn’t materialize and the race goes on as planned!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Maintain a neat and secure cable arrangement with these stylish wall mount J-hooks. Combining versatility and functionality, they offer an appealing design that complements any space. With a universal structure, they can be easily installed on ceilings or flat surfaces, ensuring a hassle-free setup. Ideal for managing various cable types, including Ethernet, fiber optic, and low-voltage cables.

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Learning Center Article – Guide to Troubleshooting Common Ethernet Cable Issues

Ethernet cables are vital for fast and stable internet connections. They outperform Wi-Fi in speed and reliability. However, issues with Ethernet cables can disrupt your network. Common problems include physical damage and improper wiring. Understanding these issues is crucial for maintaining a seamless connection.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• China reaches 12 million tons of soy purchases to meet US pledge. 
• ​​​Warner strikes new all-cash deal with Netflix.
• ​USPS moves forward with significant price increase for mail.

This Monday, we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Dr. King was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement who advanced equality and justice through nonviolent action. His legacy continues to inspire reflection, service, and progress. Is there a quote or lesson from Dr. King that continues to inspire you?

In This Issue: Simple Wins and Family Time | Deal of the Day | Modular Adapter | The Top 10 Items to Modernize Your Network in 2026 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Simple Wins and Family Time

Happy Monday! And Happy MLK Day!

I came down with a bit of a head cold over the weekend, but it didn’t slow things down too much. On Friday we had a family game night and played Settlers of Catan. We also 3D printed cases for the game pieces, which felt like a small win. Every day we seem to find another practical use for the 3D printer, and it’s been fun figuring out what to print next.

On Saturday we celebrated my youngest daughter’s birthday a little early at my parents’ house. We kept things simple with pizza and wings and stayed warm inside, which felt like the right move given how cold it’s been.

Sunday was a quieter day. I spent some time watching the Pokémon Toronto Regional Championships, and it was really entertaining to follow along. There were some fun matches and interesting moments throughout the day, and it’s always enjoyable seeing how the meta continues to shift.

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

Easily convert your serial connections with this DB9 Male to RJ45 Preassembled Modular Adapter. Designed for quick, hassle-free setup, this high-quality adapter comes preassembled and features a hex nut for secure mounting. Its ivory finish offers a clean, professional look suitable for both office and industrial environments.

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Learning Center Article – New Year, New Network: The Top 10 Items to Modernize Your Network in 2026

The start of a new year is the perfect time to take a hard look at your network. If your infrastructure was designed for yesterday’s workloads, it may already be struggling to keep up with today’s demands, let alone what’s coming next.

From WiFi density challenges and bandwidth-hungry applications to aging hardware and power risks, legacy networks quietly drain productivity and increase downtime risk. The good news? You don’t need a full rip-and-replace to make meaningful improvements.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Elon Musk admits China is beating America to his EV vision. 
• ​​Microsoft issues emergency Windows fix after computers can’t shut down.
• ​China wants to launch 200,000 satellites, and SpaceX could face real competition.

Another week is coming to a close, making it a great time to reflect on progress so far. Whether you checked off goals or simply stayed steady, every step counts. How is your January shaping up so far?

In This Issue: Looking Ahead With Gratitude | Deal of the Day | Punch Down Wiring Block | Cat8 Ethernet Cable | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Looking Ahead With Gratitude

Happy Friday! The start of this new year already feels a little different, in the best way. I’m still getting over being sick and definitely looking forward to feeling 100 percent again, especially after making sure the rest of my family was back on their feet first. Somewhere in the middle of all that, I felt a renewed sense of clarity and gratitude. Feeling healthy again has a way of resetting your perspective and reminding you not to take the ordinary days for granted.

As we head into this new year, I’m genuinely excited about what’s ahead. One thing I’m especially looking forward to is cheering on my oldest daughter as she begins this next chapter by earning her spot on the high school soccer team. Watching her hard work pay off has been incredible and is a great reminder of what consistency, effort, and belief can lead to. I can’t wait to support her from the sidelines.

I’m also grateful to be continuing life alongside the people who matter most to me. Family, close friends, and the ones who consistently show up make both the highs and lows feel more meaningful. Those relationships are what keep me grounded and moving forward.

Most of all, I’m excited for the new opportunity in front of me at CablesAndKits. It truly feels like a fresh start, one filled with growth, challenge, and possibility. I’m thankful for the chance to learn, contribute, and be part of something that matters.

As we close out the week, I’m stepping into what’s next with gratitude, hope, and an open heart.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 66 Punch Down 50 Pair Wiring Block is a reliable and versatile solution for a variety of applications from telecommunications to data networking. It helps to simplify cable termination and organization for 22-26AWG solid copper cross-connect station wiring for a variety of applications, utilizing four rows of IDC clips.

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Learning Center Article – What is Cat8 and how is it different from other Ethernet cables?

A Cat 8 Ethernet cable represents the most modern, fastest Ethernet cable standard available today. Although Google tried to make fiber optics the standard for home internet connections, Ethernet has maintained a presence, and every few years new iterations are released that offer better performance.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Microsoft‘s next data center buildings to use “zero-water” technology. 
• ​Unseen tech in Walmart shopping carts is pushing the boundaries of in‑store tracking.
• Verizon to issue $20 credits to customers impacted by cell service outage.

It’s Thursday! Today is Get to Know Your Customers Day encourages businesses to listen, learn, and build stronger relationships. Every interaction helps shape better experiences and meaningful partnerships. What is one thing you would like us to know about you or how we can better support you?

In This Issue: Back to Class! | Deal of the Day | Dual-Band Omni Antenna Set | What is an SFP? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Back to Class!

Happy Thursday!

Classes have officially begun, and I’m slowly settling into my new schedule and finding a fresh routine. The weekend was full, with unpacking and reorganizing my apartment after being home for the holidays, prepping for the new semester, and trying to give myself one last reset before diving into school.

I can’t lie, this first week always feels a little overwhelming to me. Between setting up calendars, organizing planners, getting classes straightened out, and making a million tiny decisions, I hit decision fatigue pretty quickly. I actually enjoy the planning part, but it reaches a point where my brain needs a break. Thankfully, I’m almost done getting everything set up, and it should feel much more manageable soon.

I’m especially looking forward to this weekend since I have very little schoolwork and a long weekend to enjoy. I’m planning to keep screen time super low, slow things down, and enjoy celebrating my friend at her baby shower on Saturday!

I hope you have an amazing rest of your week, and a wonderful weekend ahead of you!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Meraki MA-ANT-20 antenna is a multi-band, omni-directional antenna designed for use with Meraki APs that have N-type connectors. Itis a versatile antenna and is suitable for a broad range of applications. Sold in sets of 2.

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Learning Center Article – What are SFP’s and How do They Work?

SFP meaning refers to “small form-factor pluggable,” a compact, hot-swappable device used in modern networks. SFP’s are popular due to their small size, versatile connection options (copper or fiber optic), and hot swappable capability.

SFP, also commonly called mini-GBIC (gigabit interface converter), is designed to be compact enough to use in tight networking spaces but powerful enough to provide fast communication between switches and other important networking equipment.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• TSA is expanding touchless ID technology to 50 new airports. 
• ​NASA brings astronauts home early after health issue in first-ever evacuation.
• Space experiments reveal new way to fight drug-resistant superbugs.

Yey, Wednesday! Today is all about our furry companions. National Dress Up Your Pet Day invites pet owners to celebrate their pets’ personalities and style, whether through a simple grooming session or a fun outfit. Have you ever dressed up your pet or given them a special look?

In This Issue: Little Extended Holiday Moments | Deal of the Day | TV Wall Mount | Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Little Extended Holiday Moments

Hello, everyone! It’s time for our mid-week check-in. How’s everyone doing so far?

Last week, my whole family had an extended holiday trip since my boyfriend also visited our hometown. So yes, I can say we were complete. We’ve been together for nearly 11 years, and both our families are already asking the big question: when are we getting married? I think that’s pretty normal for Filipino families, putting someone in the hot seat with questions about marriage, having kids, and everything else. We are already talking about and planning those things, but they’re not our top priority right now. We both want to earn enough money first before starting our own family.

Going back to our extended holiday break, I can say it was 20% planned and 80% impromptu. How did that go? Well, we all agreed to go swimming, but we had no idea where. Even the food was undecided. Since we had just finished our New Year feast days before, we couldn’t decide whether to cook and pack food or just eat at a nearby restaurant. In the end, we simply drove around looking for a pool or beach resort. As for the food, we just asked each person what they wanted to eat and ordered everything from the restaurant. We spent the whole day swimming, and I can honestly say everyone had fun. But after all the fun came the body pain. In my case, it’s body pain plus a stiff neck that I’m still feeling until now.

When planning a vacation, do you prefer something well-planned, or do you enjoy going with whatever comes to mind once you’re there? How was your experience?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Mount your TV with confidence and flexibility using the KLA26-112 Full Motion TV Mount, designed for screens 13 to 27 inches. With an extendable arm reaching up to 11.1 inches (282mm) and a compact retraction of just 1.73 inches (44mm), this mount is perfect for achieving the optimal viewing angle in any room.

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Learning Center Article – Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches

What is the purpose of connecting multiple switches? In most cases, the goal is to expand network access. When you connect switches, you get more ports that can be used, and that means more devices can utilize the network.

Depending on the configuration, connecting multiple switches can also increase the bandwidth of the network. This is important for any demanding network that is short on total bandwidth.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Microsoft responds to AI data center revolt, vowing to cover full power costs and reject local tax breaks. 
• ​Wing and Walmart expand drone delivery to 150 new stores coast to coast.
• Tesla‘s full self-driving is switching to a subscription-only service.

Happy Tuesday! Today celebrates the small details that bring personality and fun. National Sticker Day recognizes all the ways stickers brighten pages, spaces, and messages, each with a story of its own. Want to share a photo of your favorite sticker or a CablesAndKits sticker you have?

In This Issue: Making the Most of a Rainy Day | Deal of the Day | CAT-6A Slim Ethernet Patch Cable | OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 & OM5 | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Making the Most of a Rainy Day

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

I had a bit of an adventurous weekend which was fun. Rain rolled in on Friday night and the forecast for Saturday didn’t look great, but we decided to head to North Georgia anyways and hope for some breaks in the weather. The drive up was intense. The rain was absolutely pouring and the winding mountain roads were a little nerve-wracking given the amount of water! It was beautiful though, and we saw so many pop up waterfalls from all the rain flowing over the side of the rocks.

We ate at a really delicious hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint, and then decided to drive to Brasstown Bald to check out conditions. Not surprisingly, it was completely enveloped in clouds and you couldn’t see anything! We decided that was not the play, so we drove to Vogel State Park to do a short 1 mile hike around the lake. When we got there, we were told the lake loop was closed due to some work being done.

Fortunately, third time truly was the charm for us and we drove a few miles down the road to DeSoto Falls which is one of Georgia’s little hidden treasures! It’s one hike with 2 waterfalls, an upper falls and lower falls. The lower falls is a 20 foot waterfall which is beautiful enough, but the upper falls is an 80 foot cascading waterfall which is just breathtaking! It was even more impressive given all the rain… the water was flowing like crazy! We really enjoyed it and felt pretty good about making the most of a rainy day!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Upgrade your network with this high-performance Cat6a Slim Ethernet Patch Cable in vibrant red — perfect for home, office, or data center installations. Designed to deliver reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, this slim patch cable combines excellent performance with flexible, space-saving design.

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Learning Center Article – What are the differences between OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3, OM4 & 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.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Trump says tech giants must bear cost of data center electricity. 
• ​Elon Musk just got permission to launch 7,500 more Starlink satellites.
• Lucid Gravity self-driving Uber robotaxi is set to launch later in 2026.