CablesAndKits Blog

Happy Wednesday & Happy National Compliment Day! Take a moment to spread positivity and brighten someone’s day with a kind word. Wishing you a day filled with smiles, warmth, and the joy of making others feel appreciated.

In This Issue: Midweek Motivation | Cisco 3560X/3750X Four-Port Gigabit Ethernet Network Module | How to Use DAC Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Midweek Motivation

Good morning & Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a great week. To be honest, the start of the year hasn’t been all that I hoped and dreamed it would be. I didn’t really kick off 2024 with big goals or resolutions, but I did have a lot of hope for what it would look like. It seems like the curve balls keep coming, turning this year into something I truly didn’t expect it would be. With that – I find myself trying to stay encouraged that the best is yet to come. Today I thought I’d share some quotes/verses of motivation. Enjoy!

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” — Michael Altshuler

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6

“When you are in your rocking chair talking to your grandchildren many years from now, be sure you have a good story to tell.” — Amal Clooney

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — Malala Yousafzai

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

What quotes/verses do you read that keep you encouraged and hopeful? Send them my way and I’ll be sure to share them with everyone.

Have a great rest of the week!

Ashley

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Product Spotlights & Updates

When it comes to distributing fast signals across long distances, Cisco has several technology options available. One of them is the Cisco 3560x/3750x four-port Gigabit Ethernet module.

It is energy-efficient, secure, and scalable. It’s easy to use and reliable. You can easily connect your Ethernet switches to fiber via SFP connectors with this simplified module.

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Learning Center Article – How to Use DAC Cables

Fiber optic networking runs the world, but designing and maintaining a network is not a simple task. You’ll have to compare a lot of different equipment choices, and considering the power and equipment demands, it can be easy to go over your budget.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Swedish fintech firm Klarna is launching a monthly subscription plan in the U.S. to lock in its heaviest users ahead of an initial public offering this year. Klarna plans to roll out a high-yield savings account next, and subscription customers would likely earn a higher rate on savings.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill wants to hire 19,000 new workers ahead of its busiest time of the year.
• Johnson & Johnson has reached a tentative settlement to resolve investigations by more than 40 states into whether the company misled patients about the safety of its talc baby powder and other talc-based products.
• Spotify said it will update its iPhone app in Europe to allow users to buy subscriptions and audiobooks within the app.

Happy Tuesday & Happy National Pie Flavor Day! Treat yourself to a slice of your favorite pie. 🥧 What’s your favorite flavor of pie to enjoy?

In This Issue: Update: Successfully Found Frozen Waterfalls! ❄️ | Yealink CP920 IP Conference Phone | Understanding Server CPU Specs | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Update: Successfully Found Frozen Waterfalls! ❄️

Good Morning & Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is thawing out after the frigid temps last week!

I was able to get outside for a little hiking adventure on Sunday and, while it was FREEZING, it was absolutely worth enduring the arctic blast to get to see some incredible sights! We had a plan to hit several falls throughout the day, with the first one being Holcomb Creek Falls in Rabun County, GA. We’ve hiked it before in warm weather and enjoyed it, but nothing can compare to what we saw on Sunday. It’s a 120-foot fall and much of it was frozen over making it look like an absolute winter wonderland! We were so impressed with the beauty that we saw there and spent a good bit of time soaking it in!

We finally left Holcomb Creek Falls and headed to Mud Creek Falls. It was a bit of an unusual experience as the falls are located within a country club and you literally park, walk 0.1 miles, and then you’re there! It was definitely not a hike, but it was a beautiful fall!

After that we headed up to Highlands, North Carolina to make a quick stop at Bridal Veil Falls before going to check out Dry Falls which was super impressive! We had to deal with a lot of ice getting down close to the falls. Normally you can walk behind them, but with the harsh conditions, the gate was closed so you could get close, but not up to the falls!

I’m including a couple of pictures so you can see how beautiful everything was!

Rebecca

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The CP920 meets business challenges in audio conferencing with its crystal-clear audio quality making it perfect for small to medium conference rooms. Stylish and ergonomically designed, the CP960 puts smooth and easy control at your fingertips.

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Learning Center Article – Understanding Server CPU Specs

Servers are essential for so many business applications these days. If you rely on your servers for anything, then you tend to rely on them for everything. When you’re shopping for servers (or looking to upgrade your hardware), you’re going to have to compare a lot of different specifications, and one of the most important components to analyze is the central processing unit (CPU).

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Netflix and TKO Group Holdings reported that they will air the WWE’s flagship program Raw starting next year. Netflix is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership.
• Oatly and Carvel will partner to add oat milk-based items at the chain’s ice cream stores nationwide. The oat milk-based products will be available at nearly 300 Carvel stores located in 18 states.
• Yoplait is taking on major Greek yogurt brands like Chobani by launching a new offering that’s higher in protein yet still has the texture and flavors of classic Yoplait.
• Crumbl Cookie has unveiled its new lineup of flavors, and it includes the first non-cookie product the store has ever offered: Cinnamon Squares.

Happy Monday! We hope you had a wonderful and warm weekend. Cheers to full pots of coffee, a completed to-do list each day, and just a great week ahead!

In This Issue: Seasonal Sickness & Celebrating 4 Years of Life 🎉 | Cisco 10GBase-SR SFP+ Module | Enhancing Network Security with Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Seasonal Sickness & Celebrating 4 Years of Life 🎉

Happy Monday!

We’ve been dealing with a lot of seasonal sickness in the family lately and unfortunately, I wasn’t immune this time. This weekend went by with a blur, with my best friend DayQuil (not sponsored) and lots of fluids. It seems like the whole family except our youngest got hit. Other than the sickness it was a relatively relaxing weekend.

This week we’re preparing for my youngest daughter to turn 4 years old! I can’t believe she’s grown so much in what seems like such little time. She already has a full-on personality of her own, which is wholly different than her sister’s. I guess the extrovert gene was skipped this time and what came about was a shy little girl that is a lot like Bingo from the show Bluey. If you have any toddlers or know of any toddlers, then you might be familiar with Bluey, which is an Australian-based show about a family of dogs that go on random adventures.

Anyway, my daughter has a cackling laugh just like Bingo on the show and she tends to act like that character. I’m not sure if she’s been influenced by the show, or if that’s her personality. I find it hilarious. Anyway, I hope you all stayed warm and toasty this weekend, I hear the weather is changing for the warmer across the country. It was definitely quite cold (at least for Georgia) and I had to go out each morning to break up the duck’s multiple watering basins. They froze about 2 -3 inches thick, and ducks must have their water! Being sick and going outside to break up duck water in the morning is nobody’s idea of a good time, haha!

I’m looking forward to the warmer weather! I hope you have a great day and a wonderful week!

Cris

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Cisco compatible, the SFP-10G-SR-CK module is an industry-compliant SFP+ transceiver module that is a great choice for your enterprise wiring closet, data center, or other application, giving you a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options. This 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module boasts many features and benefits, including being the industry’s smallest form factor, which results in the greatest density per chassis.

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Learning Center Article – Enhancing Network Security with Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine)

As your networks grow in scale, one of the hardest aspects of managing them is controlling who can access the network and how they are allowed to use it. It’s vitally important, as these networks often house private information in large droves. That’s to say nothing of the many systems you might be able to control from a single network.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• OpenAI announced its first partnership with a higher education institution. Starting in February, Arizona State University will have full access to ChatGPT Enterprise and plans to use it for coursework, tutoring, research and more.
• Grab your favorite bread and sandwich fixings! Kraft just announced the launch of three new Singles flavors, giving fans even more ways to upgrade their cheesy culinary creations. The new cheese slices are available in Jalapeño, Garlic&Herb, and Caramelized Onion. This is the first time Kraft has released new Singles flavors in nearly 10 years.
• Mark Zuckerberg said that by the end of 2024, Meta’s computing infrastructure will include 350,000 H100 graphics cards.
• Want to see the most famous food brands from every state? Check them out here.

Happy Friday & Happy Weekend! Wishing you a wonderful and warm weekend ahead. Have plans? We’d love to hear about them!

In This Issue: Your Chaos-Free Server Room Awaits | AC Power Cord | What is LLDP? | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Your Chaos-Free Server Room Awaits

Happy Friday, folks! We’ve all seen the before and after pictures of a server room that went from chaos to something worthy of posting on Instagram. Just running the cables is one part of the challenge. Another part of the challenge is knowing where the cables go.

Entering the hero of the story: Cable Labeling! Let’s face it, tracing a 1′ or 2′ cable might be a breeze, but when you’re dealing with a 10’+ cable that mysteriously disappears into another rack, things can get a bit out of hand! 😵‍💫

If you’ve visited our site, you know we offer many IT products. But we also provide many services to our customers, and one of those services is cable labeling. Why stress over labels, printers, and debagging when we can handle it all for you? We’ll take the chaos off your hands, leaving you with plenty of time to focus on another project. Just reach out, and we’ll be glad to help!

Here is a Reddit post showcasing some great cabling work! Do you have pics of a satisfying cabling job you’ve completed or seen?

Have a great weekend!

Chris

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Product Spotlights & Updates

The C1062072 AC Power Cord is a versatile 6-foot cable with a 1-15P plug for standard power outlets and a C7 connector for various electronics. It’s constructed in a sleek black color with 18 AWG wires for efficient power transmission and durability. This cord is suitable for laptops, printers, gaming consoles, and more, making it a convenient choice for devices compatible with non-polarized 2-slot power cables.

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Learning Center Article – What is LLDP?

Everything runs on your network, but have you ever wondered how devices communicate with each other? How do they even find each other in the first place? This question has an answer that is both simple and complicated.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Preorders for Apple’s Vision Pro headset began Thursday, ahead of its U.S. release on Feb. 2. The virtual reality headset starts at $3,499, and buyers also have the option to pay in 12-month installments.
• Japan became the fifth country to land on the moon with JAXA’s SLIM lunar lander.
• December home sales were 6.2% lower than in the same month a year earlier. Inventory fell 11.5% from November to December, but was up year over year.
• Salad and Go wants to provide a healthier, cheap fast-food option with its $7 salads and wraps. Founded in 2013, the salad chain is now run by former Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison.

Happy Thursday! Every quarter there’s a “Get to Know Your Customers Day” and today is that day. So – tell us about you!

In This Issue: CK Care: Third Party Maintenance | Outlet Smart PDU with 12 Foot Cord | 5 Key Factors to Keep in Mind While Installing Ethernet Cables | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – CK Care: Third Party Maintenance

Happy Thursday, CK Family!

We’ve shared about CK Care: Third Party Maintenance before but we wanted to keep it top of mind. CK Care: TPM is a solution that offers traditional network management to help keep your network running smoothly.

In the realm of CK Care: TPM, efficiency, and reliability take center stage. It’s not just about keeping networks running smoothly; it’s a strategic approach that saves valuable time, money, and alleviates the common frustrations associated with IT management.

CK Care TPM is more than just a service, it’s a trusted partner. It’s the assurance of seamless operations and cost-effectiveness in a tech-driven landscape.

Learn more about CK Care: TMP here and if you have questions, reach out!

The CK Team

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Created from durable metal materials, this 8-outlet PDU is the ultimate reliable power distribution unit for all of your electronic needs. This device includes 8 well-spaced outlets along with a generous 12-foot cord giving you flexibility in placement options and freeing you from the limitations of proximity to power sources. This PDU is perfect for a variety of environments including data centers, server rooms, and more.

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Learning Center Article – 5 Key Factors to Keep in Mind While Installing Ethernet Cables

It’s time to install the Ethernet. That means your network planning should be in a good place, and you’re ready to plug in devices and get things running.

For simple networks, this can be a straightforward task that doesn’t take too long or run up costs. In more complicated networks, even installing Ethernet cables can be an ordeal.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Homebuilder sentiment improved in January, jumping 7 points to 44 on the National Association of Home Builders monthly index.
• Social media platform Reddit has drawn up detailed plans to launch its initial public offering (IPO) in March.
• Girl Scout Cookie season is here! There are 12 flavors to choose from this year. Check them out here.
• A federal appeals court will allow a ban on Apple Watch Series 9 sales to resume. A patent dispute between Apple and technology company Masimo over blood oxygen sensor technology has intermittently disrupted sales of Apple’s latest smartwatch.

Happy Wednesday! Today isn’t just any ordinary day; it’s Popeye The Sailor Man Day! So, grab your spinach, embrace your inner strength, and tackle today’s challenges with the resilience of everyone’s favorite sailor.

In This Issue: Vintage Stamps ✉️ | Cisco Compatible Console Cable | Unlocking the Potential of Cisco Virtual Stacking for Simplified Network Management | News to Start Your Day

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The CK Daily – Vintage Stamps ✉️

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Hope you’re having a great week and you’re staying warm. The weather lately has been a bit wild – so much snow, single-digit temps, frozen water pipes and so much more for so many. If you have snow, I hope you’re able to enjoy it!

Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten some very exciting packages in the mail – vintage stamps! Let me explain a bit – for as long as I can remember, I was pen pals with my great-grandmother. She lived to be over 100 years old, so I got to enjoy many years of writing her back and forth. When I was little, I would write my name a hundred times on a paper and mail it to her and she’d send me back the sweetest notes. I’m so lucky to have some of those letters to this day that I’ll cherish forever. That said, writing her back and forth made me passionate about finding the perfect cards to mail to her each time and finding the cutest stamps. Lately – I was scrolling through social media and I saw someone posting about vintage stamps. To be honest – I had no clue this was a thing!

As a result, this sent me down a rabbit hole. I started shopping on eBay and various sites where people sell vintage stamps and purchased some of my own. They are incredible! I got several variety packs and I love looking at all of them. Also, I didn’t know they’d be a “lick and stick” style. I’m not sure what I thought they’d be – but I’m fascinated.

While my great-grandmother is no longer with us, I know she would be smiling so big to know that I am finding joy in such a simple thing. Now I get to send my pen pals notes with these stamps on them and hope they enjoy the selection that I picked out for them.

Aside from my newfound love for vintage stamps, I love stamps in general. I can’t wait for the release of the new 2024 stamps this year. Mainly because there is a manatee stamp coming out. Manatees are something my great-grandma would write me about all the time. Because she lived in the Florida Keys on the water, she always had manatees coming up in the basin. She would write me and let me know that she would feed them lettuce and fresh water and they loved it! So – I can’t wait to snag those in memory of her.

Stamps may seem boring to many, but I’m grateful to have a love for them the way that I do. Between my great-grandmother and my times over the summer as a counselor, where I could not have a phone to communicate, writing home to family was so fun and it brought a new level of communicating and truthfully, raw emotion – in writing. Have you ever had a pen pal or do you still have one?

Hope you have a great week!

Ashley

PS: enjoy the photo below of some of the ones I got!

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Product Spotlights & Updates

Upgrade your network with our brand new 10-foot, Cisco Compatible Light Blue USB A to RJ45 Rollover Console Cable. These cables will console your IT network by helping you communicate and configure a networking device. Console cable utilizes USB 2.0 to facilitate the console function. This newer type of console cable is compatible with most Cisco equipment.

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Learning Center Article – Unlocking the Potential of Cisco Virtual Stacking for Simplified Network Management

Managing enterprise networks is not an easy task. But, what if it could be?

That might be an overstatement, but what if there was a tool that enables you to scale your networks with less overall time and energy put into design and management? That tool does exist, and it’s known as virtual stacking.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Amazon is testing an artificial intelligence tool that lets shoppers ask questions about a specific product. The feature could keep shoppers from scrolling through pages of reviews or reading through a listing to find information about an item.
• Bring a Trailer, the popular online auction site for collectible cars, saw sales climb 2% to over $1.4 billion, a record for the company. It sold more cars in 2023 than in 2022, even as prices fell.
• A federal judge blocked JetBlue Airways’ purchase of budget rival Spirit Airlines after the Justice Department sued to stop the merger.
• The Space Development Agency awarded contracts to L3Harris, Lockheed Martin and Sierra Space to build missile defense-related satellites. The fixed-price contracts are worth $919 million for L3Harris, $890 million for Lockheed Martin and $740 million for Sierra Space.