CablesAndKits Blog

Happy Tuesday! Today is National Ag Day—a great reminder of the hard work and dedication it takes to keep things running, whether on the farm or in the office. What’s something you’ve been working hard on lately?

In This Issue: Casino Nights & BBQ | Deal of the Day | Cisco ATA AC Power Cord | Ferrari-Style Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Casino Nights & BBQ

Good morning & Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a great start to the week!

This past weekend was pretty low-key, but I made the most of the beautiful weather (excluding the overnight storms!). I’ve been loving the fact that it’s starting to warm up and have been soaking up as much time outside as possible—even on the cooler days. Fresh air and sunshine just do something good for the soul! While I didn’t get a hike in, I did enjoy some running and plenty of walking, which always makes me feel refreshed.

On Saturday night, I had the chance to attend a really fun event in Athens, GA—a James Bond-themed casino night fundraiser! The event supported an organization that helps adults with special needs live independently, and it was a great excuse to dress up, play a few games, and meet some incredible people who are making a real difference.
Sunday was much more relaxed, but the highlight was lunch at Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ. I’ve eaten there before and always loved it, but it’s one of those places I never think to go. This time, I ordered the loaded BBQ baked potato, which was insanely huge. When the manager came by, he mentioned that they give out a t-shirt to anyone who can finish the whole thing—but in all his years, he’s only seen one person do it. It sounded like a challenge, but as soon as it hit the table, I knew I didn’t stand a chance!

All in all, it was a great weekend—good food, good people, and time outside.

Hope you all had a great one, too!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 6-foot AC power cord features a NEMA 1-15P plug for North American outlets and an IEC C7 connector, commonly used for laptop power supplies and Cisco ATA power adapters. Made with durable 18 AWG wire, it provides a reliable power connection for various electronic devices.

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Learning Center Article – What are Ferrari-Style Ethernet Cables?

Managing data centers and comparably powerful networks comes with a slew of daily challenges. The need for redundancy and absolute uptime can force any administrator to expend copious resources on equipment and manpower. A simple switch or upgrade in your Ethernet cables can boost your cost-efficiency in several surprising ways.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Hundreds of Forever 21 U.S. stores will close by the end of March after overwhelming years of economic pressures and relentless competition in the fast fashion space. 
• Starting March 28, 2025, Amazon will remove the “Do Not Send Voice Recordings” feature from Echo devices, requiring all Alexa requests to be processed via Amazon’s cloud. This change enables new AI-powered features but eliminates the option for local voice processing. Users who don’t agree may face limited functionality.
• ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoons removed from Max by Warner Bros. Discovery.
• A new flavor of Sprite has arrived, just in time for spring. The Coca‑Cola Company is rolling out a fruity new addition to its Sprite Chill lineup, Strawberry Kiwi, and it’s exclusively sold at Walmart.

Happy Monday and Happy St. Patrick’s Day! A fresh week is here—what’s one goal you’re aiming to accomplish? Wishing you a lucky and productive start!

In This Issue: A Weekend to Forget | Deal of the Day | ST-SC Multimode Duplex Fiber Optic Cable Adapter | Power Cord Attributes and Terminology | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Weekend to Forget

Happy Monday!

Every weekend has its ups and downs, and this weekend was definitely a downer. On Friday I had what appeared to be a stomach bug and I thought I was all alone in my misery, but my family decided (unintentionally of course) to join in! So, we were all sick this entire weekend and it sort of derailed our plans. Luckily by Sunday everyone was better, but exhausted, so we definitely took the day to rest and recover!

Because we were self-quarantining, we had the opportunity to watch a few films and one of them that left an impression on me was this very uncanny valley feeling movie called “The Electric State”. It stars Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown and boy did it creep me out. The story was interesting, but the CGI robots were very peculiar and strange. The special effects were like a mixture between “Fall Out” and “Five Nights at Freddy’s”. The Mr. Peanut character (and yes, I mean Mr. Peanut from the Planter’s peanut commercials), was especially harrowing and will probably forever haunt my dreams. It was entertaining for sure but be warned if you have any pediophobia (yeah that’s a real word – fear of dolls and realistic puppets), stay away from this film!

Anyways I hope you had a better weekend than ours and 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 adapter connects ST and SC multimode duplex fiber cables, ensuring seamless compatibility across various fiber optic applications. Built to international standards, it provides a reliable and secure connection for your networking needs.

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Learning Center Article – Navigating Power Cord Attributes and Terminology

Navigating the jungle of terminology, acronyms, and part numbers can be daunting in the field of telecommunications. Anyone attempting to determine and buy cabling can attest to this. Improper data cabling will cause a logical error. With power cables, using the wrong type can cause physical failure such as fires and electrical shock.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Apple now faces a problem far bigger than tariffs or weak iPhone sales. 
• Spending at US retailers last month was much weaker than expected, in a troubling sign that the American shopper could be starting to tap out.
• Forever 21 is going out of business in the United States.
• ‘Snow White’ first reactions praise film as a ‘visual feast’ and one of Disney’s ‘best live-action remakes in years.

It’s Friday, Friday … anyone? Song stuck in your head now? Anyway, the weekend is here. We hope its relaxing and fill with beautiful weather!

In This Issue: Balancing Work and Life | Deal of the Day | Crimp Tool | Spine-Leaf Architecture | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Balancing Work and Life

Hello everyone!

I hope you’re almost done with your weekly tasks.
Speaking of being a responsible employee, how do you reward yourself after weeks, months, or even years of hard work? For me, it’s traveling — one of my New Year’s resolutions that I’m slowly working on.

Just this week, my brother had to return to the city for work, and I helped him with his stuff. The best part? I was able to bring my laptop and continue working from a hotel. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone — I got to support my brother, travel, and still stay productive at work.
I feel incredibly grateful for this kind of setup where work-life balance isn’t impossible.

How about you? Any grateful stories you’d love to share? I’d be happy to hear them!

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Designed for precision and durability, this crimp tool ensures secure terminations for 8P8C RJ45 modular plugs. Ideal for network cable installations, it provides a reliable connection for Ethernet and telecom applications.

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Learning Center Article – What is Spine-Leaf Architecture?

In data centers, networking is always pushing the limits of data rates and low latency. At the same time, redundancy is essential to prevent very costly downtime. How do you get the best of every world? One viable answer is to utilize a spine-leaf architecture. It can simplify your networking design, reducing the total number of switches needed while solving the problems of latency and throughput.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• China has deployed ultra-secure communication in the southern hemisphere via a “quantum satellite”, a report from the South China Morning Post reveals. The supposedly hacker-proof system uses a quantum key distribution link. It spans 12,800 km (7,954 miles) between Beijing and South Africa.
• The Light Phone III, launching on March 27, offers a refreshing alternative for those looking to reduce their screen time without fully disconnecting from technology. Designed to help users break free from the pressures of social media, this minimalist device focuses on simplicity and functionality.
• Disney is reportedly scaling back the premiere of its upcoming live-action remake of Snow White, following a number of controversies which have plagued the film over the past four years.
• Uber ends Foodpanda Taiwan deal after antitrust concerns.

Happy Thursday! The weekend is just around the corner. Do you have any plans?

In This Issue: Back to Class & Climbing New Heights | Deal of the Day | Nylon Cable Ties | Firewall Security Basics | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Back to Class & Climbing New Heights

Happy Thursday!

Last week I talked about being on Spring Break, and naturally this week I’m back to my classes and all the fun that goes with them! Although many students dread this week, I found some joy in it! I think it’s because I was able to ease back into the rhythm of things, with only a few projects due quickly after the break ended.

One of the highlights of my week was taking a belaying clinic at the campus gym – for those who may not know belaying is the process of managing the rope for someone on the climbing wall. I must admit, I was a little nervous at first, but once I got the hang of the knots I had so much fun with it! I only did the beginner routes on the wall to start, but they were tough so I only tried a few times before heading home. I hope to go back soon and try again, once my hands recover. There’s something so fun about learning how to rock climb with someone, so you can keep each other safe during such a fun activity! I usually try to be active, since I spend a lot of time sitting while doing work, and I love finding another way to be active to have on my list of options!

Have you ever tried belaying or rock climbing? I’m interested to see how many people have taken up this sport like I recently have!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Cable ties are an extremely versatile way to organize and bundle wires and cables. They are easy to install, and can be cut off for rework very easily. Locks tightly – won’t stretch or slide.

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

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. With this information, you can make efficient decisions about your own network and hardware. Hopefully, it will help you build a more secure network while still saving money.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Starting April 1, 2025, Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, will prohibit passengers from charging portable power banks through onboard USB ports or using them to charge personal devices during flights, joining other airlines in enhancing safety measures. 
• Walmart is cracking down on a growing problem with delivery.
• Samsung is updating its revenue-sharing policy to give developers a bigger slice of the pie. Starting this year, the company will implement an 80/20 revenue share model for games on the Galaxy Store, up from the previous 70/30 split. This change also applies to games on Samsung’s cloud gaming platform, allowing developers to earn more while players enjoy seamless streaming without downloads.
• A powerful March storm is sweeping across the U.S., with forecasters warning of the most significant severe weather outbreak of the year. The system is expected to hit parts of the central and eastern U.S. on Friday and Saturday, bringing potentially dangerous conditions.

Happy Wednesday! How’s your week going so far? Whether you’re balancing meetings, deadlines, or family responsibilities, remember to give yourself some credit—you’re doing great!

In This Issue: More Sun, More Fun | Deal of the Day | Plug Adapter C20 Plug to 5-15/20 Connector Block Adapter | Why You Should Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 Access Points | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – More Sun, More Fun

Happy Wednesday!

I’ll be honest, I am LOVING the time change. There is nothing better than having some light at the end of the day and being able to go on a walk with my husband without a headlamp or flashlight. It did take a little getting used to and I can’t say I’m not still struggling to get up in the mornings with it being so dark outside, but to me…it’s worth it.

This weekend was a simple one around our house. We did get the chance, however, to go and see my younger brother play in a 7v7 team rugby match. Talk about a bit of a dangerous sport!! But he certainly looked like he really loves playing. We also finally put some sand in our little guys sandbox that my older brother built him for Christmas, and he’s a big fan!

I’m grateful that the weather is starting to take a turn for warmer days because our little guy loves being outside. If he could live out there, he probably would. Haha. But it’s far more enjoyable to be out there when it’s not super cold and we don’t have to bundle him up like a marshmallow.

Anyways, are you a fan of the time change? How about the warmer weather?

Cheers to a great rest of your week!

Ashley

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Easily adapt a NEMA 5-15 male plug (15A, 125V) to fit an IEC C20 female outlet. Designed for reliable power connections, this adapter supports up to 20A, 250V.

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Learning Center Article – Why You Should Upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 Access Points

If you have a wireless network, you need access points that enable users to connect. For a long time, WiFi 5 was the industry standard that governed how wireless networks functioned, but today, WiFi 6 is here and available. Upgrading your network to WiFi 6 offers some major benefits, and it could change how your entire operation functions.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Apple is reportedly preparing a significant redesign of the operating systems for the iPhone, iPad and Mac. Bloomberg reports that iOS 19, iPadOS 19 and macOS 16 – set to be unveiled at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June – will look radically different, with changes involving everything from the icons, menus and apps to the windows and system buttons. 
• TikTok is introducing new parental controls to help manage teen usage, allowing parents to block access during specific times like school hours or bedtime. They can also set recurring schedules for time away, while teens can request more time—with parental approval via a unique passcode.
• Southwest Airlines announced that it will begin charging customers a fee to check bags. It’s a departure from their decadeslong practice of free checked bags. The change comes less than a year after the airline announced it was getting rid of its famous open seating policy.
• 7-Eleven will bring in St. Patrick’s Day with deals and festive sweets. The convenience store chain’s “Dollar Days” are back, and the stores will offer $1 deals on select snacks and drinks until March 31 with its rewards program.

Happy Tuesday! We hope you’re having a great week so far. What’s one goal you’re aiming to accomplish this week? We’d love to hear!

In This Issue: Pink Drinks, Build-A-Bears & Priceless Memories | Deal of the Day | Fiber Optic Cable Adapter | Basics of GPU Servers | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Pink Drinks, Build-A-Bears & Priceless Memories

Good morning & Happy Tuesday!

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! I don’t know about you, but the time change is definitely throwing me off! I think I had a harder time waking up this morning than I did yesterday! Hopefully it won’t take too long for all of us to adjust!

Aside from losing an hour of sleep, I had a wonderful weekend! I got to spend some time with my nieces which is always a joy! They are on a big Starbucks kick right now, so of course we had to make a stop there to get them some pink drinks & cake pops! They also finally talked me into taking them to Build A Bear which is something they’ve been asking to do for ages! It was a fun experience for them and I really enjoyed watching them make their selections! After that, we did lunch at the mall food court followed by letting them have a ride on the carousel. After that, I was ready for us to get out of the mall as quickly as possible before they talked me into spending any more money on them! Ha!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This adapter connects two LC duplex fiber cables for seamless signal transmission. Designed for singlemode applications, it meets international standards for broad compatibility across fiber optic networks.

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Learning Center Article – Basics of GPU Servers

Servers are essential in the modern world. They do the heavy lifting that allows all of us to enjoy the many perks of a digitally connected life. Whether browsing the internet, using a favorite app, or even talking on the phone, servers are playing critical roles at every juncture. With so much depending on servers, it’s not surprising to see that they continually experience serious innovation.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Starting April 2025, Microsoft Teams will drop SMS support for Android devices, directing users to the Phone Link app instead. While the change may be inconvenient, Phone Link offers extra features like battery monitoring and photo access. 
• Microsoft is ending support for Remote Desktop, requiring users to switch over to its new Windows app. From May 27, the Remote Desktop app will no longer be available for download and Microsoft recommends current users uninstall the app. The replacement, the Windows app, launched in September last year and is designed to give users “unified access” to a range of formerly separate Windows services.
• Leaked information and prototype models reveal that the iPhone 17 Air is set to be Apple’s thinnest smartphone yet, featuring a sleek design, a revamped camera bump, and cutting-edge hardware. Expected to replace the iPhone Plus models, it will start at $899 and be even slimmer than the iconic iPhone 6.
• In celebration of National Girl Scout Day on March 12, Wendy’s is treating customers to a free small Thin Mints Frosty—inspired by the iconic Girl Scout Cookies—with any purchase. The giveaways continue for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, when customers can enjoy a free order of French fries with a minimum $5 purchase. Don’t miss out on these delicious deals!