CablesAndKits Blog

Summer is the perfect time to make a splash! National Waterpark Day celebrates the fun and excitement of waterparks, where everyone from kids to grandparents can cool off and create lasting memories. Whether you enjoy thrilling water slides or relaxing in a lazy river, there is something for everyone. What is your favorite waterpark attraction?

In This Issue: Where Did Summer Go? | Deal of the Week | DisplayPort Cable | Data Center Server Rack Sizing Guide | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Where Did Summer Go?

Good morning, and happy Tuesday, everyone!

How is summer almost over already?

The kids go back to school next Friday, which is crazy to me! I feel like summer passes by faster every year. We had a great one, though, filled with church, school, and 4-H camps. We also took a family trip to Tennessee. It was our first time there, so we got to see a lot of cool places, and we’re already excited to go back and explore even more.

We’ll finish up our school shopping this weekend, and then it’s time for open houses next week. Summer is my favorite time of year, so I hate to see it end, but I’m also excited to see what new adventures this school year brings for the kids.

Here’s to wrapping up summer and welcoming a great fall!

Brooke

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 10 ft DisplayPort cable delivers reliable, high-quality audio and video transmission between compatible devices. Featuring male DisplayPort connectors on both ends, it provides a dependable connection for monitors, desktops, laptops, and other DisplayPort-enabled equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Data Center Server Rack Sizing Guide

Data centers run on server stacks, and they are usually stored in server racks. So, if you need a lot of processing power and/or data storage, then you’ll need to understand rack sizes in order to strategize.
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Unfortunately, server racks are not measured according to specific official dimensions. Fortunately, they are standardized, and you can read those standards when you understand the measuring unit utilized across the industry.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Meta, BlackRock partner on $14 billion El Paso data center.
• Bezos to launch 5,000 satellites to tackle smartphone not-spots.
• Microsoft launches its first cybersecurity model, plus a new agentic cybersecurity system.

Happy Tuesday! Today is your excuse to indulge! National Junk Food Day celebrates all the delicious treats we usually try to avoid. Sometimes, a little cheat day is exactly what we need. If calories didn’t count today, what junk food would you choose?

In This Issue: The Last Long Day | Deal of the Week | Display Port to HDMI Converter | Meraki Network Products | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – The Last Long Day

There is something bittersweet about the end of summer.

The sun still hangs high for a little while longer, but you can feel the season quietly packing its bags. The long evenings that never seemed to end are suddenly measured by school calendars instead of sunsets. The spontaneous adventures become scheduled practices. The house that echoed with late-night laughter slowly returns to alarms, lunches, homework, and bedtimes.

For a few months, life feels wonderfully untethered.

There are no clocks to race. No backpacks waiting by the door. No nightly reminders about unfinished assignments. Just long days with my wife and our kids; days that seem ordinary while they’re happening but somehow become extraordinary the moment you realize they’re coming to an end.

I’ll miss that.

I’ll miss hearing, “Can we stay out a little longer?” knowing there wasn’t really a reason to say no. I’ll miss the movies that started too late, the dinners that stretched into conversations, and the feeling that tomorrow could be whatever we wanted it to be.

But seasons are meant to change.

As one chapter closes, another begins. Summer fades, and with it comes a different kind of beautiful chaos.

Football cleats will dig into the turf. Soccer balls will roll across the pitch. Softballs will crack off the bat and soar over the diamond. Calendars will fill with practices, games, meetings, and school events until there doesn’t seem to be a blank square left.

It will be busy.

It will be loud.

It will probably be exhausting.

And somehow, in all of that chaos, we’ll find ourselves together in new ways.

We’ll trade lazy afternoons for sideline conversations. We’ll exchange backyard evenings for folding chairs under stadium lights. Our family dinners may happen between practices instead of around a table, but they’ll still happen. The togetherness doesn’t disappear; it simply changes shape.

I’ve learned that every season asks something different of us. Summer asks us to slow down. Autumn asks us to show up. Both are gifts.

As this new season begins, I’m trying to hold onto one simple truth: I don’t have to have everything figured out.

Not because life will unfold exactly the way I imagine it, but because I believe there is peace in trusting the One who already knows the road ahead. Faith isn’t believing every game will end in a win or every day will go according to plan. Faith is trusting that even the unexpected has purpose.

So instead of trying to control every outcome, I’m learning to simply be present. Present for the early mornings, the late-night homework, the victories worth celebrating, the disappointments worth talking through, and every ride home after practice.

When I look at my children, I don’t just see the athletes they’re becoming. I see young people growing into the best versions of themselves. Every sprint across the football field, every run down the soccer pitch, and every inning on the softball diamond teaches resilience, teamwork, humility, and perseverance. Years from now, I probably won’t remember every final score or championship, but I’ll remember who they became in the process.

That’s what really matters.

So as summer quietly slips away, I won’t try to hold onto it too tightly. I’ll be grateful for what it gave us, and I’ll welcome what’s coming next.

Because every ending carries the promise of a beginning. Every season has its own beauty. And every step forward, no matter how chaotic it may seem, is another opportunity to grow together, to love each other well, and to trust that we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.

Here’s to the end of summer.

And here’s to the beautiful, busy season waiting just around the corner.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk!

Matthew

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This adapter will take a dual-mode Display Port signal and convert that signal to standard HDMI v1.3. This converter handles all the switching necessary to accept AC coupled signals and is handled automatically. The lead on this adapter is 6″ making it ideal for compact, tight installations.

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Learning Center Article – Meraki Network Products – Simplify Your Network

When it comes to industrial and enterprise networking, hardware solutions often create as many new problems as they solve. Networks get so complicated that scalable designs often devolve into a jumbled mess. Cisco Meraki offers an incredible solution to this problem. Through the use of powerful automation features and a suite of devices that are designed to work well together, these products might prove to be the best way to manage many business networks.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Robot cats bring comfort to people with dementia.
• Head of US AI safety agency resigns.
• Novo Nordisk sues Eli Lilly over weight loss drug advertisement.

Summer is all about cookouts, family gatherings, and comfort food favorites. National Mac and Cheese Day celebrates the cheesy classic that has earned a permanent spot on many dinner tables and barbecue spreads. What is your favorite way to enjoy mac and cheese?

In This Issue: Beach Day… With a Twist | Deal of the Week | Cat6A Bulk Ethernet Cable | The Right Ethernet for the Right Network | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Beach Day… With a Twist

Howdy, everyone! Happy Tuesday! How’s everyone doing so far?
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Last week, a super typhoon passed through my country. Thankfully, my region wasn’t directly affected, although the sea was far from calm. Since we live just a 5 to 7-minute walk from the beach, we could hear the huge waves crashing all the way from our house.

Since everyone was home and it wasn’t raining, just cloudy and windy, my family decided to head to the beach to unwind and watch the waves. But instead, we ended up looking for sea shells that we could cook for dinner. It turned out to be a lot of fun! Most of the people there were also gathering sea shells, either for their own meals or to sell. Some carried empty rice sacks, others had small pails or fish nets, all searching for the same treasure along the shore.

Afterward, we cooked the sea shells into a hot soup for dinner and grilled some barbecue for a cozy evening since my boyfriend also came home to celebrate his birthday. Looking back, I realized I was still able to enjoy the gloomy weather through good food, simple moments at the beach, the sound of the crashing waves, and a cozy night with my family.

How was your weekend? How’s the weather in your area?

Kat

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cat6A Bulk Ethernet Cable is designed for high-speed 10 Gigabit Ethernet network installations where flexibility and reliable performance are essential. Featuring 28 AWG stranded bare copper conductors, an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) design, and a slim cable profile, it helps maximize cable density while simplifying routing through tight spaces. The durable PVC jacket provides added protection for structured cabling applications.

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Learning Center Article – The Right Ethernet for the Right Network

An efficient Ethernet cable management plan, especially in high-density and challenging network environments, increases the versatility of network maintenance and operation. It also contributes to the system’s uptime and lowers operation cost, which makes your life a whole lot easier!

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Inflation cools significantly, first time in six years.
• Tesla converts Model S factory line into humanoid robot plant.
• Ebola outbreak is at least double the formal tally, WHO says.

Happy Tuesday! Nothing says summer quite like a cold scoop of ice cream. National Strawberry Sundae Day celebrates the classic combination of ice cream, fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream. It is the perfect treat for warm, sunny days. What is your favorite way to beat the summer heat?

In This Issue: Family, Fireworks, and Summer Memories | Deal of the Week | F-Type Quick Push-On Adapter | Guide to Troubleshooting Common Ethernet Cable Issues | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Family, Fireworks, and Summer Memories

Happy Tuesday!
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We had a great time celebrating America’s 250th birthday this weekend. We headed over to my parents’ house for a cookout where we enjoyed the traditional hotdogs and burgers, and the kids definitely ate their fill. Later that evening we watched Project Hail Mary, which I thought was a fantastic film. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. After the movie we wrapped up the night by lighting a few fireworks.

We’ve learned over the years that we’d rather avoid the big fireworks shows. Between the crowds, traffic, and especially the summer heat, we’d much rather celebrate at home with family. It’s a little more relaxed, and we get to enjoy the holiday at our own pace.

Summer is definitely in full swing, and I’ll admit I’m already looking forward to fall. It’s been hot! We’ve had the fans running nonstop, we’re constantly drinking water, and the kids have been cooling off in the sprinklers whenever they get the chance.

How do you all beat the heat during the summer?

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 F-Type Quick Push-On Adapter provides fast, tool-free connections for standard coaxial cables. Its nickel-plated construction offers durability and corrosion resistance, while the push-on design makes it ideal for TV, cable modem, and satellite installations.

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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 Week:

• South Korea’s SK Hynix launches $28 billion US listing to ride global AI wave.
• Big Tech data centers are driving up power bills at America’s Rust Belt factories.
• Toyota’s $3.6B San Antonio expansion is coming and will add 2,000 jobs.

Today recognizes a tool that has transformed the way we connect and communicate. Social Media Day celebrates the platforms that help us share ideas, stay in touch, and engage with communities around the world. From keeping up with friends to discovering new interests, social media has become part of everyday life. What is your favorite social media platform?

In This Issue: Rainy Days and New Beginnings ⭐ | Deal of the Week | Cisco Hard Drive | Traffic Shaping | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – Rainy Days and New Beginnings ⭐

Hello, hello, everyone! How are you all?
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As for me, I’m still juggling my full-time work and my little crafting business. Recently, though, business has been a bit slow. While I’m grateful that I’m still receiving some orders, I’ve also had a few customers who placed orders but never completed their payment. 😭 It’s a little discouraging, but I’m trying to stay positive.

​Lately, I’ve been thinking about opening an online store to help market my paper crafts. I still have a lot to research, especially about the requirements and everything that comes with it, but I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to launch one soon. Hopefully, it will help my business continue to grow.

​The weather here in the Philippines has also started to change as we transition into the rainy season. Just a few days ago, it was extremely hot and dry. Now, it’s been raining cats and dogs almost every day, complete with thunder and lightning. It can be a little scary, but at least the ground and the plants finally get a chance to breathe and be watered. They look so happy.

​The Fourth of July is just around the corner. Have you made any plans for the long weekend? I’m excited for all of you. Enjoy your well-deserved break, everyone!

​Kat

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The SAS hard drives operate in a state of the art performance for hosting high transaction applications. The SAS hard drives are available in 2.5-inch small form factor (SFF) and comes in a wide selection of storage capacity.

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Learning Center Article – What is Traffic Shaping?

When it comes to rationing bandwidth, you have a few different philosophies, but one of your most dynamic and responsive tools is traffic shaping. It can help the most important functions on your network flow smoothly without increasing your bandwidth or hardware capabilities at all.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• Hottest temperatures in over a decade threatened in parts of eastern US as dangerous heat dome expands and intensifies. 
• ​Ford recalls 700,000+ vehicles in US over transmission defect.
• ​D-Wave Quantum gets $1.5M grant from US National Science Foundation.

Happy Tuesday! Today is all about celebrating a color that stands out. National Pink Day highlights the many shades of pink and the joy, creativity, and positivity often associated with them. Are you wearing pink today?

In This Issue: This Is Our Season | Deal of the Week | Meraki AC Adapter | DRAC | News to Start Your Week

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The CK Weekly – This Is Our Season

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

Life has felt loud lately.

Calendars packed. Practices. Games. Work. Places to be. People to show up for.

Somewhere in the middle of all of it, I’ve realized something that feels almost too simple: sometimes the most important thing I can do is breathe.

Not solve. Not organize. Not optimize. Just breathe and let go.

I spend so much time trying to keep the train on the tracks that I forget some of the best parts happen when nobody’s following the schedule.

Like sitting still long enough for my youngest daughter to decide, completely out of nowhere, that my pinky nails needed painting. And somehow, in that moment, those tiny painted nails felt more important than whatever was waiting in my inbox.

Or the wrestling matches that spontaneously break out with my boys in public places. Yes, including Walmart. There’s something hilarious and perfect about realizing that one day they’ll stop asking me to wrestle and start pretending they don’t know me in aisle seven.

Or making it home safely after a driving lesson with my oldest, which somehow manages to be equal parts pride, fear, and silent prayers. Watching them grow up is strange. You spend years teaching them how to walk and talk, and suddenly you’re sitting in the passenger seat hoping they remember that brakes exist.

​Then there are the nightly walks with my wife. No agenda. No productivity. Just walking, talking, and sometimes saying nothing at all. Those moments remind me that life isn’t built in the milestones; it’s built in ordinary evenings stacked quietly on top of each other.

​And somewhere in between all of that, there’s time spent with friends. Good conversations. Laughing harder than expected. Being reminded that community matters and that life gets lighter when it’s shared.

We also got to celebrate Father’s Day last weekend, and it was a good reminder of how grateful I am for the people who make all of this chaos worthwhile.

This weekend is packed with double softball tournaments, and next weekend already belongs to more softball in Blue Ridge and Gainesville.

And honestly?

​I wouldn’t trade it.

It’s chaotic. It’s exhausting. It’s beautiful.

One day the painted nails will wash off. The wrestling matches will stop. Driving lessons will become solo drives. The walks will change. The weekends will quiet down.

But right now, this is our season.

So all I can do is look to the sky and thank the Lord for blessing me with this chaotically incredible life.

Not perfect. Not peaceful. Not predictable. Just incredibly, wonderfully full.

​Hope everyone has an incredible weekend, and thank you again for listening to my TED Talk.

​Matthew

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Deal of the Week

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Meraki MA-PWR-30W-US is a refurbished AC power adapter designed for select Meraki MR Series access points, including the MR20, MR36, MR44, MR46, MR46E, and MR56. Featuring a 100-240V AC input and 12V 2.5A DC output, it provides reliable power for compatible indoor wireless deployments.

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Learning Center Article – What is a DRAC?

If you utilize Dell products, then you have access to a specialized management platform that provides unique elements that can make server management easier and more powerful. That platform is commonly known as DRAC.

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Today’s News to Start Your Week:

• ​USDA announces recall of nearly 6,000 pounds of frozen food for potential life-threatening allergen. 
• ​UN chief calls on AI firms to come clean on environmental costs.
• AI could breach government and business defenses in months, US and its intelligence partners warn.