CablesAndKits Blog

Adding value to your IT infrastructure

My laptop has no DB9 serial port!

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This is a common problem these days. Almost all Cisco networking equipment is configured using a serial console cable (usually the 72-3383-01 DB9 to RJ45 cable) but most new laptops (and even workstations) no longer have a DB9 serial port.

The solution is a USB to Serial adapter. With the USB to DB9 serial adapter and a standard Cisco console cable (72-3383-01) you essentially have a “USB Console Cable“.

Every Sys Admin should have one of these in their laptop bag right next to their “Late Night Server Migration Survival Kit” (the “just right size” bag of M&M’s we include with every order of course)

Just how fast does email travel?

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Check out the updated article with new email speed stats in our Learning Center.

I recently found myself traveling 95 MPH on an access road here in Atlanta, zooming by all the folks going much slower on the interstate to my left. While percentage wise this was not a great deal faster than I usually travel I realized that it sure felt much faster (which was exhilarating but that’s beside the point).

That got me to thinking (for some strange reason) about the speed in which email and other web traffic travels. Most people (including myself up to that point) have never given it a lot of thought so I decided to crunch a few numbers and explain it relative to something we are all very familiar with; driving. [Read more…] about Just how fast does email travel?

A Guide to LED patch panels

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Few people label (or desire to label) all the ports of their patch panels. The result is you having NO clue what cable goes where. If you are lucky you know which ones are connected to something and which ones are not.

I used to be in the same position myself at our old building. I had a normal patch panel and a bad habit of not labeling (or remembering) which cable went where. When a new workstation was added it was quite frustrating  for me to have to figure out what port on the patch panel went to that data port at the workstation so I could connect it to the data switch. [Read more…] about A Guide to LED patch panels

CK Daily – 12.19.2022

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Happy Monday! We hope you had a wonderful weekend! Wishing you a productive week as you gear up for the holiday season. If we can be praying for you, please let us know!

In This Issue: CK Giving Day 6 | Meraki Access Point | 5 Tips to Stretch Your IT Budget | News to Start Your Day

The CK Daily – CK Giving Day 6, Habitat for Humanity and The Carter Center

We’ve invited each member of our team to advance our giving efforts and provide us with an organization they are passionate about to donate $500 to. Enjoy Joi Harris’ story below on the organization they selected.

Homelessness drastically affects the city of Atlanta. As the weather begins to change for the winter, many homeless people have nowhere to turn. Habitat for Humanity is working to provide better and more affordable housing for families in need. I remember sleeping in my care for extra credit in college to raise awareness for the homeless students on campus. It opened my eyes to the struggles of some of my peers. But even more, made me think about how many homeless people do not have cars. We barely made it through the night, trying to do homework in the car, and to think, we experienced only a fraction of what many homeless people actually go through on a daily basis. This experience affected my views on homelessness. I am grateful for Habitat for Humanity working to make a change for the homeless community.

If you’re interested in donating to Habitat for Humanity and The Carter Center you can do so here!

Product Spotlights & Updates

The Meraki MR46-HW raises the bar to new heights when it comes to wireless performance and efficiency. This cloud-managed access point features 4×4:4 MU-MIMO and 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 making it perfect for next-generation deployments in everything from offices and schools to shops and hotels. It offers the best of all worlds with high throughput, enterprise-grade security, and simple management through the Meraki dashboard.

Shop the Product Spotlight

Learning Center Article – 5 Tips to Stretch Your IT Budget

One of the great challenges facing every IT department and provider in the business is the limited budget. IT experts can spend all of your money in a flash. There is always something newer, faster, and better to pursue. But, IT investments don’t come with guaranteed returns.

In this article, you’ll find five specific tips that help you get more while spending less. Implement these ideas, and you’ll have an easier time staying within your budget while still finding ways to improve your IT resources and assets along the way.

Read the Full Article HERE


Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • “Kidults” have a great fondness for cartoons, Star Wars and Lego. In recent years, toy makers such as Mattel have created lines just for these consumers. These kids at heart are responsible for one-fourth of all toy sales annually.
  • Mesa Airlines’ CEO said that the regional carrier will wind down its flying for American Airlines and that it is close to an agreement to fly those jets for United Airlines.
  • James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of Water” snared $134 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend.
  • Twitter said it will no longer allow users to promote other social media accounts on its platform.

CK Daily – 12.18.2023

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Happy Monday & Happy Answer the Phone like Buddy the Elf Day! What better day than a Monday to add some elf behavior to your calls?!

In This Issue: On the 6th Day of Bundlemas… | Do I need the latest server? | News to Start Your Day

The CK Daily – On the 6th Day of Bundlemas…

We will unveil a new bundle for you to take advantage of each day. We hope you enjoy!🎄 If you don’t see a bundle you’re looking for, reach out! We’re happy to build one for you.

On the 6th day of Bundlemas, CK gave to me…a 4 pack of Cisco 7945G Two line Color Display IP Phones.

Shop 12 Bundles of Christmas

Learning Center Article – Do I need the latest server?

Data centers aren’t cheap. Just the cost of power requirements for keeping your equipment running can be staggering. Adding the cost of new servers can often feel like too much. If you have high demands and a tight budget, you need a way to get more power and performance for every dollar spent. For most applications, the easiest way to do this is to look at refurbished servers and parts.

Read the Full Article HERE


Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • Southwest Airlines reached a settlement with the Department of Transportation for a $140 million fine over last year’s holiday meltdown. The airline separately paid some $600 million to reimburse and refund stranded travelers.
  • GM plans to lay off about 1,300 workers in Michigan starting early next year due to vehicles they produce ending production. The largest of the layoffs were expected. They include 945 workers at Orion Assembly who build Chevrolet Bolt models, which are ending production after this year.
  • Adobe and Figma, the cloud-based design tool, will terminate their planned $20 billion merger in light of regulatory hurdles.
  • A leading poultry producer in Arkansas has issued a recall of around 26,550 pounds of TGI Fridays-branded boneless chicken bites over concerns they “may be contaminated with extraneous material,” the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reported.