CablesAndKits Blog

Happy Monday! As we move into May, we hope this new month brings you positive energy and new opportunities. Wishing you a great start and a productive week ahead. What are you looking forward to this month?

In This Issue: May the 4th Be With You | Deal of the Day | Patch Cable Waterproof Dustproof Cap | Slim vs. Standard Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – May the 4th Be With You

Happy Monday! May the 4th Be With You! And Happy Star Wars Day!

I remember watching Star Wars: A New Hope as a kid on TV and becoming an instant fan. Years later, I still clearly remember going to the premiere of The Phantom Menace with a group of friends. We were completely drawn in. That Darth Maul duel scene in Theed Palace with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan still stands out to me. The entrance, the music, and the choreography were just perfect. We went to the other premieres too, but nothing quite compares to that first theater experience.

Other than that, it was a pretty quiet weekend. We spent some time doing a bit of Spring cleaning and getting some much needed rest.

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

Protect your network connections in harsh environments with this Patch Cable Waterproof Dustproof Cap. Designed to shield RJ45 connectors from moisture, dust, and debris, this cap helps maintain reliable data transmission and extends the lifespan of your Ethernet cables and ports.

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Learning Center Article – Upgrade Your Network the Smart Way: Slim vs. Standard Ethernet Cables Compared

As networks become denser and more performance-driven, the decision between Slim Ethernet cables and Standard Ethernet cables goes far beyond physical size.

From cable diameter comparison and PoE compatibility to signal attenuation and port density optimization, your choice can influence speed, space efficiency, and long-term cable management.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​GameStop makes daring $56 billion bid for eBay, hoping to rival Amazon. 
• ​Treasury Secretary Bessent warns Americans about AI-driven bank account hacks as threats rapidly evolve.
• Frozen pizzas sold at Walmart recalled.

Wrapping up the week by recognizing hard work everywhere. International Workers’ Day honors the contributions of workers across all industries and communities. It is a time to appreciate dedication, effort, and the people who keep things moving every day. Happy International Workers’ Day!

In This Issue: Full Speed Into May | Deal of the Day | Extension Cable | OEM vs Third Party Maintenance | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Full Speed Into May

Happy Friday, everyone! Life has been moving at full speed lately! As we get ready to head into May, it feels like everything ramps up all at once. Between end-of-school-year activities, soccer tournaments, club tryouts, Mother’s Day, and even my birthday in the mix, it’s shaping up to be one of those months where you barely have time to catch your breath.

Honestly, I think May is just a busy season for everyone! I hate to wish time away, but I am looking forward to June and July, when I can finally start catching up on some things I’ve been putting off.

On a personal note, we’re especially excited in our house right now. My son’s high school soccer team is heading into the first round of state playoffs this evening! It’s been an incredible season, and we’re so proud of him and his team. #GoPanthers!

Mandy

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 10 ft HDMI high-speed cable is designed for panel-mount applications, connecting internal PCBs to an external HDMI port. It features a Type-A male connector on one end and a panel-mount Type-A female port with mounting screws for secure, professional installation.

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Learning Center Article – OEM vs Third Party Maintenance

When you have a lot of technology assets, they need regular care. You rely on the devices for many functions, and in many cases, they are critical to the operations of your business.

The best way is with a maintenance contract. You can hire experts to regularly look after your equipment and ensure that everything is working. In the case of enterprise-scale IT, there are two versions of maintenance contracts that come up more than most: OEM and third-party maintenance.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon just made a big change to Prime Day 2026. 
• ​Underwater robot tracks sperm whale conversations in real time.​
• Thousands in US to join ‘no school, no work, no shopping’ May Day protest in economic blackout.

Today celebrates a genre that brings people together. International Jazz Day highlights the rich history and cultural impact of jazz music across the globe. Do you have a favorite jazz song or artist?

In This Issue: Finals Focused | Deal of the Day | 24 Port Network Closet Cleanup Kit | Auto-sensing Ethernet Port | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finals Focused

Happy Thursday!

My day started bright and early with my first final exam of the season at 8am sharp. I’m an early riser, but even that was a little too early for me. It feels great to have one done though, and now my focus can fully shift to my other final coming up on Monday.

As tiring as studying can be, I’ve actually really appreciated these past few days being able to solely focus on studying, without juggling classes at the same time. It’s been a slower, more intentional pace, and it’s been refreshing! I even had time to take a break to grab Cookout with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while, and it was great to catch up over delicious milkshakes.

I’m officially halfway through finals now, which makes everything feel a little more manageable. Just a few days until I can head home and see all my favorite people again! It’ll be a great start to summer and I’m so excited for all to come!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Keep your network closet organized and efficient with this 24‑Port Network Closet Cleanup Kit. Designed for IT professionals and home networking enthusiasts, the kit includes 24 high-quality patch cables, a horizontal cable manager, and Velcro cable ties to maintain a clean, professional rack setup.

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Learning Center Article – What is an Auto-sensing Ethernet Port

When you’re browsing features and specifications for your networking equipment, you might come across something known as autosensing.

It’s a feature specific to Ethernet devices. It’s pretty common these days, but it is important to have on any network that services multiple endpoint devices, and when you know how it works, it can help you plan out your own network that much better.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Annual US inflation posts biggest gain in nearly three years in March. 
• ​World’s first optical computing system runs billion-parameter AI with 90% less power.
• Oil prices whipsaw while US stocks glide near their record heights.

Midweek brings a message of hope and inspiration. World Wish Day celebrates the impact of granting wishes and the joy it brings to people around the world. It is a reminder of how powerful kindness and generosity can be. If you had one wish today, what would it be?

In This Issue: Piece by Piece, One Figure at a Time | Deal of the Day | Velcro One-Wrap Straps | Why Are Redundant Power Supplies Important | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Piece by Piece, One Figure at a Time

Howdy and happy Wednesday! Wow, April is about to end. I hope it treated you well.

My collector era is still going strong. Right now, I’m into a figure that needs to be assembled manually. I find it really satisfying, it even feels like I’m doing ASMR. I’m also excited to see the finished product. Hopefully, I can complete it soon. It’s my first time having this kind of figure, so I’m really eager to finish it and add it to my collection.

It’s actually timely that I picked up this new hobby because I’m now officially living alone since my parents’ house is already completed. Plus, the weather here has been unpredictable. It’s extremely hot from morning until noon, then it suddenly rains in the afternoon. When it rains, I get bored, so this hobby will definitely save me.

How is your week so far?

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Durable and reusable, VELCRO® Brand ONE-WRAP® ties are suitable for indoor or outdoor use and help keep cable installations neat, organized, and easy to maintain. These straps are also available in multiple roll quantities including 25, 50, or 100 counts to fit different project needs.

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Learning Center Article – Why Are Redundant Power Supplies Important

When you have to maintain a network, power is important. Obviously, every device needs a source of power, but when you get into more complicated networks where downtime can be extremely expensive and infrastructure costs also run high, power becomes a central part of your planning and strategy.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• US gas prices surge to a 4-year high as Iran stalemate drags on. 
• ​Amazon targets mass hiring with agentic software, goal to humanize AI.
• ​FDA to use AI to track clinical trials in real time.

Today highlights the importance of safety in the workplace. World Day for Safety and Health at Work promotes safe, healthy, and supportive working conditions for everyone. What is one thing that helps you feel safe and supported at work?

In This Issue: From Beach Days to Concert Nights | Deal of the Day | Cisco Power Supply | Firewall Security Basics | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – From Beach Days to Concert Nights

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

I took last week off to enjoy some time in Hilton Head and it was such a refreshing week! The weather was absolutely perfect and I got to spend a ton of time outside which is my favorite! I had a great time with my family and, of course, we ate a ton of delicious food! It was a successful trip for sure!

I headed back on Friday because we had tickets to the Jason Aldean & Luke Bryan concert on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. My youngest brother, Phillip, is a huge fan of Luke Bryan, so Josh and I took him to the concert as a birthday present since his birthday was last week! It was a great, high energy show and Phillip was living his best life the whole time!

This weekend, Josh and I are heading to Clemson, SC for the George Strait concert. I’m sure it will be a little different vibe, but just as fun!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco PWR-CC1-250WAC is a reliable 250W AC power supply for Catalyst 8300 Series edge routers, delivering stable performance for enterprise and SD-WAN deployments. With a 100–240V input range and 80 PLUS Silver efficiency, it ensures energy-efficient operation across global environments.

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Learning Center Article – Stateless and Stateful Inspection – Firewall Security Basics

When you have a network, there’s a lot of work involved with building and maintaining that network. On top of that, you need to secure the network, and keeping connected devices safe is an endless pursuit.

One thing that can help with network security is a good firewall. That’s why we’re going to spend a few minutes discussing how firewalls work and what some of your options are when choosing one.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Profluent, Lilly partner in genetic medicine deal worth up to $2.25 billion.​ 
• ​American Airlines restricts portable chargers on planes.
• ​Archaeologists at Pompeii use AI to reconstruct the face of a man killed in the volcano’s eruption.

Starting the week with a quick hello. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable weekend, whether it was relaxing or full of activities. As a new week begins, we wish you a productive and positive start. How was your weekend?

In This Issue: Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream | Deal of the Day | 5-20P to 5-20R | Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Climbing Mountains and Earning Ice Cream

Happy Monday!

It was a very tiring weekend, all because of one trip. On Saturday we took our young adult church group to climb Mount Yonah. I had done the hike with some friends in the fall and thought it would be a fun trip for the group. The morning started off great, but pretty quickly the youth decided the “old guys” (there were three of us) were moving too slow and took off ahead at their own pace.

As I was huffing and puffing my way up, I realized this climb felt a lot harder than the last time. I’m blaming the humidity. We eventually made it to the top, and even with a bit of haze, the views were just as stunning as I remembered. The way down was much faster, thankfully.

On the way back we stopped by Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont for some fresh churned ice cream. I went with butter pecan, which definitely helped make up for the climb. I’m still pretty sore from the hike, but seeing everyone enjoy it made it worth it.

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

This AC Power Cord with NEMA 5-20P to NEMA 5-20R connectors is designed to provide a dependable extension for 20-amp power connections in professional and commercial environments. Built with heavy-duty 12 AWG copper conductors, it supports higher current loads while ensuring consistent and efficient power delivery for demanding equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Cisco Manufacture Date Lookup

If you’re investing in Cisco products, then there’s actually a mechanism in place that can help you know exactly when a device was manufactured. Below, you’ll see a complete guide to help you understand and utilize that mechanism.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​The AI splurge is costing big tech its workforce​. 
• ​​Google to build AI campus in South Korea, presidential office says.​
• Elon Musk is about to launch his ‘everything app‘.