CablesAndKits Blog

We are heading into the weekend, and it is a great time to slow down and recharge. Whether you have plans lined up or are taking it easy, we hope the days ahead bring you a chance to relax and enjoy. Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?

In This Issue: Not Alone in the Silence | Deal of the Day | Cisco Switch | LC Fiber Connectors | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Not Alone in the Silence

Friday feels a little different this week.

Loss doesn’t always hit all at once. Sometimes it shows up slowly, settling into the quiet spaces you didn’t realize could feel so empty. There are moments where I catch myself reaching for what’s no longer there, replaying memories, wondering if I missed something or could have done more. That feeling of helplessness is heavy, but the guilt can feel even heavier at times.

But even in the middle of that, there are small pieces of light.

I see it in the people who remember alongside me, the ones who carry the same stories, the same laughter, and even the same silence. There’s something steadying about that, knowing I’m not alone, that the love we shared didn’t disappear, it just looks a little different now.

My family has become the place where that heaviness softens. In shared meals, in simple conversations, in just being together, I start to feel a little more grounded again. Not completely, but enough to breathe.

More than anything, I’m learning to hold tighter to these moments and to treat time like something fragile and sacred. Because if loss teaches anything, it’s this: every second we have together is worth fully living.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Cisco Catalyst 3560 Series is a compact, fanless access switch with Gigabit connectivity and PoE support, ideal for powering IP phones, access points, and cameras. It offers reliable performance, easy management, and advanced security for business and enterprise networks.

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Learning Center Article – Best LC Fiber Connectors to Upgrade Your Network Today!

LC fiber connectors may be compact, but they excel at optimizing data flow and boosting bandwidth, making them a prime choice for upgrading your network today.

This article explores some of the top-performing LC fiber connectors currently on the market, guaranteed to revolutionize your network capabilities.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Strait of Hormuz reopening for commercial traffic, Trump and Iran say. 
• ​NiSource rises after signing data center deals with Google, Amazon.
• ​Trump admin set to launch tariff refund portal.

Today is all about connection. Get to Know Your Customers Day encourages businesses to listen, learn, and build stronger relationships. We always value hearing from you and understanding how we can better serve your needs. What is one thing you would like us to know about you?

In This Issue: All Paying Off | Deal of the Day | Nexus 3000 Accessory Kit | OTDR Testing | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – All Paying Off

Happy Thursday!

I know I mentioned how busy things have been lately, and that hasn’t slowed down but it has brought some really exciting things my way! After three years of being involved in UGA Miracle, especially the time and energy poured in this past year, I’m so grateful to share that I’ve been selected as the Sponsorship Co-Chair on the Executive Board! It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I’m really looking forward to diving even deeper into this amazing organization.

On another note, I also registered for classes for the second to last time this week, which feels a little wild to say. Registration is usually chaos, but this was the smoothest it’s ever gone for me. Hopefully nothing changes because it’s looking like a perfect schedule!

Overall, it has been a week of enjoying the big things and the little wins which makes every day exciting. I’ve got several projects and presentations wrapping up too, so I’m staying focused as the semester starts to really wind down. Just a few more weeks to go and I’m happy to keep checking things off my to-do list to finish it out strong!

Rachel

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The Nexus 3000 Accessory Kit ​is designed to enhance the functionality and deployment of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches, built for handling heavy data loads in critical business applications. The kit includes all essential accessories for optimal switch performance.

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Learning Center Article – OTDR Testing (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer)

Aside from the price point of the technology, fiber optic networking is much more complicated than copper-only systems, and installing and maintaining fiber optics requires specialized testing and troubleshooting.

In that pursuit, one powerful testing tool is known as an OTDR. This form of fiber optic testing can save time and improve results.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• April heat wave could break records through Saturday. 
• Oracle jumps as it expands AWS deal for multicloud networking.
• Amazon sued for allegedly sabotaging Fire TV Sticks to force users to upgrade.

Midweek brings an important deadline. National Tax Day is when individual income tax returns are typically due in the United States. It is a good reminder to check off any last-minute tasks and stay organized. Don’t forget to file your taxes on time!

In This Issue: It’s a Wins-Day! | Deal of the Day | Wall Mount Bracket | DWDM | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – It’s a Wins-Day!

Good morning, CK buddies! It’s Wednesday again. Wow, truly a blink of an eye!

How’s the weather out there? Here, it’s burning hot. It’s the kind of season where you just finish taking a bath, and the moment you step out of the bathroom, you’re already sweating again.

Anyway, I want to share another win I had last weekend. Anime, especially One Piece, is one of the things I’m drawn to when I want to de-stress. While browsing TikTok, I saw a post featuring a One Piece x Labubu collab set. It’s very cute! I wasn’t really a fan of Labubu at first since they’re quite expensive here in my country, but seeing it collaborate with an anime I love made me think, “I need that!”

They’re originally sold in blind boxes, but since I’m not that lucky with those and usually end up getting duplicates, I looked for collectors online who had the complete set and bought it instead. Another addition to my collection unlocked!

Another win I’m truly grateful for this week is the house I’ve been building for my parents. Thank God, it’s finally finished! Seeing their excitement makes me so happy. They really deserve it.

This is truly a wins-day for me. I hope it is for you too! Sending more win dust to all of us.

Have a nice day!

Kat

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

This 1U universal wall mount securely holds network devices like switches, power strips, and patch panels. Made from durable 10-gauge steel, it includes heavy-duty anchors for easy installation and helps save space with its flush mount design, protecting equipment from heat and damage.

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Learning Center Article – What is DWDM?

Fiber optics run the world. They’re deeply embedded in all of our communications at an infrastructural level. More than that, fiber optics consistently become more available and affordable for all aspects of networking. When you have to ensure the integrity of any network, you want to be certain you’re using the right tools for the job. Today, you can improve that understanding by learning about DWDM technology.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Gold falls from one-month peak as investors look to US-Iran negotiations. 
• China in talks to restrict solar equipment exports to US.
• UPS seeks to replace manual scans with tracking tech.

Today is a simple reminder to pause and take in the view. Look Up at the Sky Day encourages us to step outside and appreciate the beauty above us, from clear blue skies to drifting clouds. We hope the weather is just right to brighten your day.

In This Issue: A Sweet Weekend of Family Time | Deal of the Day | Cable Sleeve | Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Color Schemes | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – A Sweet Weekend of Family Time

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone’s having a great week so far!

I had a great weekend filled with lots of family time which is my favorite! I got to have my nieces over for the weekend which is always fun! We kept things pretty chill on Friday night and stayed in and played games. Then on Saturday we spent some time with their 2nd cousin, Sophia, who is turning three years old next week! She got to come over for a visit and they enjoyed playing together!

On Saturday, we met up with Josh and his son, Robert, to enjoy a Gwinnett Stripers baseball game. It was a beautiful evening and the kids absolutely loved the experience. They had a giant blow up slide that was a huge hit with the kids, and of course they enjoyed all the ball park food (especially the snow cones)! We will definitely be back for another game soon!

Rebecca

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Effortlessly manage and protect your cables with this high-quality self-closing cable sleeve. Designed for convenience, the split-open structure allows for easy installation on pre-assembled cables, keeping your workspace neat and organized.

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Learning Center Article – Understanding Indoor Fiber Optic Cable Color Schemes

Fiber optics are common in many networks, and they’re essential to provide enough bandwidth and capability in modern digital communication. If you work in networking, you have to learn at least the basics of fiber optics. We can remember that fiber optics come in two modes: single and multi.

Each type of cable has a color designation, so you can tell by looking at the outer jacket what kind of fiber optics are in use. Below, you’ll see a complete breakdown of these fiber cable jackets by their colors.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Super Typhoon Sinlaku pounds remote US islands in the Pacific Ocean with ferocious winds. 
• ​Amazon to acquire Globalstar; inks deal with Apple to provide satellite services for iPhone, Watch.
• ​Nissan goes all-in on its AI future.

Starting the week with a classic word game. National Scrabble Day celebrates the beloved game that has challenged players’ vocabulary and strategy for generations. When was the last time you played Scrabble?

In This Issue: Unplanned Moments, Meaningful Memories | Deal of the Day | Cable Sleeve | 400G QSFP-DD | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Unplanned Moments, Meaningful Memories

Happy Monday!

Our trip to Greenville, SC was quite wonderful. We really enjoyed how walkable the city is, and Falls Park on the Reedy was a highlight. Greenville felt like a “just right” kind of city for me. Not too big and not too small. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and the kids had a great time visiting the small zoo and exploring the park.

Earlier in the week we visited Chimney Rock State Park, and something a little unusual happened while we were there. We noticed a heavy police presence and even a helicopter flying low over the area. At first we thought it might be a search and rescue situation and didn’t think much of it. The park itself is really impressive. One of the coolest parts is the elevator that takes you up 26 stories to the top in what feels like no time at all. At one point, park officials shut down traffic in and out of the park for about 20 minutes, so we decided to take a short hike instead.

That ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. The trail to Hickory Nut Falls was great, and the waterfall itself is over 400 feet tall. The kids handled the hike really well and had a lot of fun playing in the water at the base of the falls. On the way out, we had to pull over as a motorcade of police vehicles came through. Turns out we happened to visit at the same time as a government official (new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin), which explained all the activity earlier in the day.

We’re glad to be back from our short trip and took the rest of the week to recover and get back into the routine.

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

A robust and adaptable PET sleeve crafted for optimal cable protection and organization. Perfect for automotive, electronics, and general cable management, providing outstanding abrasion resistance and effortless installation.

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Learning Center Article – All About 400G QSFP-DD

When working with data centers, large enterprise networks, or anything else with comparable data demands, you need the best hardware. You need the type of equipment that pushes the envelope of what engineers can produce at scale.

At the very top of the hierarchy, you’ll find advanced QSFP that can hit data rates well into the hundreds of Gigabits per second. Among QSFP options, 400G QSFP-DD stands supreme.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Oil jumps more than 7% to above $102 ahead of US blockade on Iran. 
• ​Super typhoon Sinlaku, the most powerful storm of 2026 so far, is heading for US territory.
• ​Ford’s new electric van looks exactly like an undercover cop car.

Wrapping up the week with a celebration of family. National Siblings Day honors the special bond we share with our brothers and sisters, whether through laughter, support, or lifelong memories. Share with us your favorite bonding moment with your siblings!

In This Issue: Finding Strength in the Chaos | Deal of the Day | 1-15P to C7 | ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Finding Strength in the Chaos

We made it to Friday!

Over the past few weeks, life has tested me in ways only storms can, one challenge after another, reminding me how quickly “when it rains, it pours” can become reality. Yet, through every trial, I’ve found myself anchored by two unshakable forces: family and faith. They’ve been my refuge, my reminder that even in hardship, there is purpose.

I’m learning that blessings and curses often show up wearing the same face. It’s not always what happens, but how we respond, how we choose to move forward, that ultimately determines what they become.

In the middle of the chaos, I’m regaining focus on what truly matters most. I see it in the joy of my oldest daughter leading her high school soccer team in scoring, in the pride of my oldest son hitting his first in-field home run, in the amazement of my youngest daughter pitching a no-hitter at her last softball tournament, and in the steady comfort of my youngest son faithfully being my wingman through it all.

Walking through the storm is never easy, but with a loving family beside me, every step forward feels possible.

Matthew

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Deal of the Day

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Power your everyday electronics with this 8-ft AC Power Cord featuring a NEMA 1-15P to C7 non-polarized connection. Built with 18 AWG wire, it delivers reliable performance for low-power devices such as TVs, gaming consoles, laptops, and audio equipment. The flexible black jacket ensures durability and easy installation in home or office setups.

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Learning Center Article – ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) Explained

You have two devices on the same network. You want to share packets directly from one to the other without involving the rest of the internet. How do you do this? There are a few ways, but one of the easiest is ARP.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• ​Amazon generating $15B in AI revenue, CEO Andy Jassy says. 
• ​Toyota receives 3,000+ orders in first hour after launching new luxury EV.
• Apple will close its first unionized retail location in the US.