CablesAndKits Blog

Howdy, everyone! Here’s a fun fact for your Tuesday: the ampersand symbol, &, has been around for centuries and comes from a combination of the letters in the Latin word et, meaning “and.” World Ampersand Day celebrates this small but surprisingly fascinating symbol we still use every day. How often do you use & instead of spelling out “and”?

In This Issue: A Weekend with Purpose | Deal of the Week | Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series | The Expert Guide to 100G Switches | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – A Weekend with Purpose

Hello, and welcome back from the long weekend! I hope you had time to slow down, reconnect, and do something that truly mattered to you.

Mine was full, in the best way. As a Roman Catholic and church volunteer, I spent the weekend helping prepare for a celebration close to my heart: Mama Mary’s birthday, which our community came together to honor today, September 8.

It’s a celebration we look forward to every year: praying the rosary as one community, attending mass, joining a procession, and sharing cake and juice with everyone who came. This year, the rain meant we had to bring it all closer together within the church grounds instead of spreading out as we usually do. It was a tight squeeze, especially with so many parishioners joining us, but everything came together beautifully. There was just enough cake and juice to go around, and just enough heart to make it feel special.

Moments like these remind me why giving your time to something bigger than yourself is always worth it.

Wishing everyone a great week ahead!

Anna

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco WS-C2960X-48FPD-L is a stackable enterprise switch featuring 48 Gigabit Ethernet PoE+ ports, 2 x 10G SFP+ uplinks, and a 740W PoE budget. With FlexStack-Plus, advanced security, QoS, VLAN, and IPv6 support, it delivers reliable performance and scalability for demanding business networks.

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Learning Center Article – Say Goodbye to Slow Networks: The Expert Guide to 100G Switches

In today’s world, businesses need fast, reliable, and scalable networks to keep up with the growing demands of new technologies. With more data being used due to cloud computing, AI, data analytics, and remote work, having a high-performance network is essential. That’s where the 100G switch comes in. It helps transform your network into one that’s faster and more efficient.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• US datacenters face further backlash over wastewater pollution.
• AI infrastructure will cost trillions more.
• El Niño update signals unprecedented weather—map of most impacted states.

Hello, September! A new month is here, and we are officially entering the “Ber” months. As summer begins winding down and a new season gets closer, we hope everyone is doing well and ready for the months ahead. What are you looking forward to this September?

In This Issue: Hello, September! | Deal of the Week | Screws for Cisco Catalyst 4948 Rack Mount Kit | Guide to 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switches | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Hello, September!

Happy Ber months to all! How is everyone doing?

Here in the Philippines, the clock had barely struck midnight last night when Filipinos started filling social media with posts showing just how excited they are for this year’s holiday season. I know it may seem too early, but Christmas is one of the most loved and anticipated holidays here. Some stores are already selling Christmas decorations, and soon enough, we’ll start hearing Christmas songs everywhere. Too early? Maybe. Exciting? Definitely! For many Filipinos, September 1 unofficially marks the beginning of Christmas season, so the planning starts now.

Aside from looking forward to the Christmas season, I’m also excited about this month because September is my birth month! It’s extra special this year because after my birthday on the 10th, my brother is planning to propose to his girlfriend the very next day. We’re all thrilled and already preparing for those two special days. Hopefully, everything goes as smoothly as planned. Fingers crossed!

And before all of that, Monday next week is Labor Day, which means a long weekend for many of you. Do you already have plans for how you’ll spend the break?

Here’s to a wonderful September and the start of the Ber months!

Kat

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

These are the screws that are included with the rack kit for Cisco Catalyst 4948 switches. If you have the rack brackets for your unit but have lost your screws, order these as replacements. Note: These screws are not compatible with the WS-C4948-10GE. The rack mount kit for WS-C4948-10GE requires a different set of screws.

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Learning Center Article – The Ultimate Guide to 24-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switches: Everything You Need to Know

In today’s tech-driven world, a reliable network is crucial for businesses of all sizes. 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switches are essential for expanding network capacity and boosting performance. It ensures seamless communication and data transfer. With so many options available, choosing the right switch can be overwhelming.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Growing backlash against data centers in American cities as poll finds over 70% oppose them.
• Novartis pauses trials of experimental cell therapy after three deaths.
• North Carolina sues Amazon over alleged ‘hidden’ advertising fees.

Happy Tuesday! Today celebrates the National Park Service and its work protecting some of America’s most treasured landscapes, historic sites, and natural wonders. It is a great reminder that there is always somewhere beautiful waiting to be explored. Which national park is on your must-visit list?

In This Issue: The Chaos Is the Good Stuff | Deal of the Week | Cisco 1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver Module | Cisco 3750X Network Switch for Ethernet | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – The Chaos Is the Good Stuff

Greetings, Star-Shine! The Earth says hello! There’s something comforting about finding our way back into the groove.

The school year is underway, schedules are filling up, and our calendar once again looks more like a game of Tetris than an actual plan. The boys are growing, competing, and excelling on the football field, reminding me how quickly they’re becoming young men. The girls continue to prove exactly why they belong on the softball diamond, with my oldest hitting her first in-the-park home run and my youngest absolutely killing it at third base.

We’re continuing driving lessons with our oldest daughter (keep those prayers coming!), helping with homework, and somehow finding our way back to sitting around the dinner table and talking about the events of the day.

It’s busy. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. And honestly, this is what life is all about.

It’s easy to get caught up in the stress of it all: rushing out the door because we’re late to practice, wondering if we remembered the right cleats, glove, helmet, water bottle, or piece of equipment, squeezing homework into an already packed evening, and figuring out how everyone is supposed to be in two places at once.

But that’s not really what any of this is about.

The practices, games, drives across town, homework at the kitchen table, driving lessons, late dinners, and constant running around are all opportunities to spend time together. Someday, I know I’ll miss this chaos. I’ll miss watching them chase balls across fields, hearing about their days over dinner, and even being needed to get them from one place to the next.

The stress feels a little less stressful when you remember who you’re doing it all for. When we’re surrounded by the people we love, the long days become memories, the rushing becomes part of the story, and somehow, the chaos becomes the good stuff.

And right now, in the middle of all of it, I think we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.

Thank you all again for listening to my TED Talk. Good luck and good night!

Matthew

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco GLC-TE is a 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver module that offers gigabit Ethernet connectivity over Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a copper cabling with a maximum reach of 100 meters. Designed for enhanced compatibility with a wide range of Cisco devices, it provides reliable, high-speed data transmission at up to 1 Gbps. Featuring an extended operating temperature range of -5°C to 85°C, this transceiver is ideal for use in both standard and harsh environments.

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Learning Center Article – Why Choose the Cisco 3750X Network Switch for Ethernet?

In today’s fast-paced business environment, having an efficient and scalable network infrastructure is essential for staying competitive. As companies grow and their technological needs expand, the demand on their networks increases as well. A well-implemented network switch serves as the foundation, ensuring all devices within a network are connected seamlessly, allowing data to flow efficiently between systems. A network switch gigabit capability is the backbone of a stable, high-performance network.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Meta eyes consumer AI agent launch in coming weeks, new AI model in October.
• Amazon to expand Prime Air drone delivery to 500 cities.
• FDA approves new blood test to identify signs of Alzheimer’s.

Summer is still serving up plenty of reasons to cool off with something sweet. National Ice Cream Pie Day celebrates the frozen dessert that combines two favorites, ice cream and pie, in one delicious treat. If you could create your own ice cream pie, what flavors would you put in it?

In This Issue: Between Summer Adventures and Fall Daydreams | Deal of the Week | Cat6A Slim Snagless Ethernet Patch Cable | Expert Picks for the Most Reliable Fiber | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Between Summer Adventures and Fall Daydreams

Happy Tuesday!

It’s been a little while since I’ve written one of these! Since we’ve switched to a weekly rotation, I only get a turn every few weeks now, so I have a little more catching up to do than usual.

One of the highlights of our summer was a big family road trip up to Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter. I had heard a lot about it over the years, but seeing the size of the Ark in person is pretty incredible. There’s really no way to appreciate just how massive the structure is until you’re standing next to it. We spent quite a bit of time walking through the exhibits inside, and the kids especially enjoyed the little zoo they have there. It was definitely worth the trip!

While we were up that way, we also took a short trip over to Cincinnati and visited the Cincinnati Zoo. We had a great time there too, and I particularly enjoyed seeing the manatees. There’s something about watching those giant animals slowly float around that is oddly relaxing.

The only downside to the trip was the heat. It was HOT! I guess I had it in my head that traveling north would give us a little relief from the Georgia summer heat, but Kentucky and Ohio apparently didn’t get that memo. Now that we’re back home, it’s still hot here too, so I’m definitely ready for fall!

Summer vacation has also officially come to an end for the kids and they’re back in school. They were both a little nervous during that first week, which I think is pretty normal with new teachers, classrooms, and routines. Thankfully, they’ve settled in now and seem to be getting back into the swing of things.

As for me, I’m looking forward to the Pokémon World Championships coming up at the end of the month in San Diego. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to attend in person, but I’m looking forward to catching the livestream and watching some of the best players in the world compete. Maybe one of these years I’ll actually make it out there!

It feels like we’re in that strange part of the year where summer vacation is over, school is back, and mentally I’m ready for fall, but the weather clearly has other plans.

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

Cris

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 1 ft Cat6A slim Ethernet patch cable delivers 10 Gbps speeds and 500 MHz performance in a space-saving design. Its 28 AWG construction and snagless connectors make it ideal for tight, high-density installations, while support for PoE and VoIP ensures reliable network connectivity.

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Learning Center Article – Network Upgrade: Expert Picks for the Most Reliable Fiber to Ethernet Media Converters

In today’s fast-paced digital world, maintaining a stable and high-speed network is essential for both businesses and individuals. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by converting fiber connections to Ethernet. This conversion allows for faster speeds and greater coverage within existing networks.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Google is buying all of Spirit Airlines’ data to feed its AI models.
• Nvidia to back OpenAI data center with upwards of $105 billion.
• Facebook and Instagram could change forever as Zuckerberg faces court.

Happy Tuesday! Today is all about celebrating the special bond between parents and their children. National Son’s and Daughter’s Day is a reminder to slow down, spend some quality time together, and appreciate the little moments that become lasting memories. What is your favorite activity to enjoy with your kids?

In This Issue: Weathering the Rainy Season | Deal of the Week | RJ45 CAT6 Shielded Inline Coupler | Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Weathering the Rainy Season

Hello and good morning to you all! How is everybody?

The weather here in my region is finally getting better after weeks of nonstop rain and strong winds. Sadly, the city where I grew up recently experienced multiple landslides. Even more devastating, one family was buried in one of the incidents. The search and rescue operation began on August 9, and the last victim was recovered today. May their souls rest in peace.

The rescue operation was also assisted by Zuma, a five-year-old Golden Retriever, and his owner, Brett Mitchell. From what I heard, Brett is originally from Michigan and is now a resident of one of the provinces in the Cordillera Region. God bless everyone who took part in the rescue efforts, including Brett and Zuma, who extended their help during such a difficult time.

It really shows how challenging the rainy season can be here in the Philippines. In low-lying areas, flooding can be a major concern, while those living in mountainous or highland areas face the risk of landslides. Different places have different risks, and all we can really do is stay alert, prepared, and look out for one another during this season.

I hope the weather is treating you well wherever you are. Stay safe, everyone.

Kat

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Maximize your networking capabilities with this CAT6 inline RJ45 connector. This coupler allows you to connect two shielded cat6 ethernet patch cables together to increase the total length. With this coupler being shielded it prevents cross-talk and interference you may get from standard patch cables.

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Learning Center Article – Best Way to Connect Multiple Switches

There are a lot of ways to connect switches. You can daisy chain them, star link them, cascade them, cluster them or stack them. In most modern networks, cascades, clusters, and stacks tend to be more prevalent. That is because they offer specific benefits that many modern network designers find admirable.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• US oil reserves hit 43-year low, good for environment.
• Amazon used a startlingly dirty trick to build a data center without consent of community.
• Nvidia partners with Wall Street giants to raise $500 billion for AI buildout.

Happy Tuesday! Today is a sweet celebration of an all-time favorite. National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is the perfect excuse to enjoy a warm cookie with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or your favorite tea. Do you like your chocolate chip cookies soft and chewy or crispy and crunchy? 🍪

In This Issue: Every Season Brings Something New | Deal of the Week | Display Port Male to HDMI Female Adapter | North-South and East-West Traffic | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Every Season Brings Something New

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

I swear summer gets shorter every year! It feels like we were just making plans for summer break, and now the kids are already back in school.

Club soccer is back in full swing for both of the kids, and football is on the calendar for my son too. Our schedule is already filling up, but honestly, I kind of love having a routine again. Summer is fun, but there’s something comforting about getting back into a normal rhythm.

I’m especially excited for football season. My son is a specialist for our local football team, so Friday nights are back where they belong. We’re also huge Falcons fans, and we try to make it to every home game as long as soccer doesn’t have us somewhere else.

I’ve even started noticing a few leaves on the ground around the neighborhood. It feels way too early to be talking about fall, but it’s one of my favorite times of year. I’m already looking forward to the cooler weather, the fall scents, baking in the kitchen, and making that first big pot of soup.

I’m definitely sad to see summer go, but I guess every season gives us something to look forward to.

Happy days, everyone!

Mandy

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily connect your HDMI-enabled display to a DisplayPort video source with this DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. Supporting up to 2.7Gbps transfer rate and full DisplayPort 1.1 compatibility, this adapter ensures clear video output for resolutions up to 1080p. With built-in static electricity resistance and an LED indicator, it provides a reliable and cost-effective solution for connecting DisplayPort devices to HDMI displays.

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Learning Center Article – North-South and East-West Traffic Explained

When designing a network, it’s essential to manage north-south east-west traffic efficiently. Endpoint devices must access external networks, while internal communication should remain seamless for security and performance.
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These two concepts define north south east west traffic, shaping data flow, security strategies, and network efficiency in modern IT infrastructure.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Telegram messenger vanishes from the iPhone’s App Store.
• Microsoft Teams adds deepfake reporting alongside productivity tools.
• BYD Qin Max launches with 9-minute flash charging, 391-mile range and 321 hp.