CablesAndKits Blog

In This Issue: Cisco 3750G Series 24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch | What is DWDM? | News to Start Your Day

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Today we’re celebrating a batter-dipped, deep-fried bite of deliciousness that runs rings around other appetizers! Any guesses?! It’s National Onion Ring Day!  Head out to your favorite diner and order up some onion rings. Or make them at home! Here’s a delicious recipe to try! 

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The CK Daily – Beach Days and More Exploring

Happy Tuesday!

As I mentioned last week, I’m on vacation this week! We’re spending the week on Amelia Island and have been having a great time so far! We’ve taken advantage of the cool mornings to get out for a few runs/walks, and have spent the afternoons hanging out on the beach!

I’m normally someone who spends most of my time laying out on the beach, but we’ve had some great waves down here so we have spent a good bit of time out in the water boogie boarding. I haven’t really done that since I was a kid, and now I’m realizing I totally forgot how much fun that is! We hope to get in a few more good beach days, check out Cumberland Island, and maybe explore Little Talbot Island. Lots to look forward to! I hope you’re all having a great week!

Rebecca

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Tuesday! We’ve got some pretty sweet Deals of the Week going on this week. Today, we’re highlighting the Cisco 3750G Series 24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch, WS-C3750G-24PS-S. The Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series of switches are excellent options for midsized and large offices alike.

These 3750G switches offer (24) or (48) 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet ports plus 4 SFP ports. In addition, they include Cisco StackWise technology and allow users to stack up to 9 individual switches into one single logical unit. The unit comes with an IP Base image, Stacking capabilities, a POE budget of 370W, 128 MB of RAM, 32 MB of Flash, and has 1005 Total VLANs.

Grab one today for 10% off!

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What is DWDM? – CK Learning Center

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. The only way to gain that certainty is to have a deep understanding of what is available. Today, you can improve that understanding by learning about DWDM technology. It’s a vital form of fiber optic communications that is completely irreplaceable in many applications.

Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) is a breed of fiber optics that are specifically geared towards extremely data-intense operations. Meeting those data-intense needs is primarily accomplished through two facets of DWDM design.

For starters, this is multiplexed fiber optics. That means the cables are paired in a way that allows data to stream in two directions at the same time. In other words, any node on the network can send and receive information simultaneously.

Perhaps more important to defining DWDM is the nature of the dense wavelengths. A single cable can simultaneously run up to 192 (96 on older designs) distinct communication channels at once. Since each channel can carry up to 100 Gbps, this leads to an aggregate bandwidth of 19.2 Tbps.

DWDM creates this reality by using extremely tight wavelength spacing for each channel. Typical designs are built on either 0.4 nm or 0.8 nm spacing. Since each channel is secured to prevent cross-channel noise and interference, DWDM communications rely on precise laser signaling. This drives up the cost of producing DWDM systems.

How Does DWDM Compare to CWDM?

The other big player in multiplex fiber optics is CWDM. The C refers to a coarse wavelength spacing. This limits CWDM cables to a maximum of 10 Gbps and enables the designs to use less precise equipment. In short, CWDM has lower data capacities and costs less money. Choosing between the two will always be determined by the function of the network. There’s little reason to pay for DWDM capabilities unless they’re needed.

What Are Common Applications for DWDM?

Considering the extraordinary data density that DWDM can transmit, it is mostly used in applications that require it. The most common of these applications is telecommunications. Internet providers typically run DWDM in communication hubs.

Similarly, dense data centers often run on DWDM. While the aggregate data rates are important, the ability to run separate data formats and rates on each channel tremendously help data centers streamline their networks.

Cloud service providers are the other big user of DWDM. As you might imagine, enterprise cloud providers require the extraordinary bandwidth provided by dense fiber optics to meet demand.

In summary, DWDM is one of a large number of means to build a network. It offers some of the fastest data rates available today, and DWDM systems are integral to networking infrastructure. Understanding how it works, its capacity and its applications can help you better determine when and where you should consider DWDM systems of your own. If you need the level of capacity offered by dense wavelengths, you won’t have many alternative options.

This article is from the CK Learning Center. You can find it here. 

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• The European Court of Justice ruled that YouTube and other online platforms shouldn’t be held liable for copyright-infringing uploads in some cases. They could, however, be held liable if they are aware copyrighted content is available illegally and refrain from “expeditiously deleting it.”
• Chipotle Rewards will now be able to redeem their points for more rewards across its entire menu and more quickly. Restaurants are leaning on loyalty programs to hold onto the digital customers the companies gained during the pandemic.
• Target plans to make 100% of its private-label products environmentally sustainable by designing more durable items, eliminating waste, and encouraging reuse by 2040.
• Peloton just launched a corporate wellness program. Businesses that sign up will be able to offer employees subsidized access to Peloton’s digital fitness membership and its high-end cycles and treadmills.
• DoorDash is expanding its grocery delivery service. The company is partnering with Albertsons Cos. to offer on-demand grocery delivery from nearly 2,000 of its stores.

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In This Issue: Cisco Small Business 300 and 500 Series 19″ (1RU) Rack Mount Kit | Big U.S. retailers line up deals to take on Amazon Prime Day frenzy | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Monday! We hope you had an incredible weekend celebrating dad! Today is the first day of Amazon Prime Day. Which deals do you have your eye on??

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The CK Daily – Dads are Rocks

Goooood Morning CK Fam!!

Here we are again on a Monday morning to take on the week!

First of all, to all the dads out there, hope you had a great Father’s Day. For those that have lost theirs, may yesterday have been a celebratory reflection of a man you remember fondly of.

Dads are rocks. They are a rock as you grow up in the form of loving discipline and learning to do so much to be like them. They are a rock in always picking up the phone regardless of how busy they may be. A rock in the way of those that love unconditionally regardless of the mistakes in life you make.

So too is our holy Father. Always be praying.

Psalm 32:8.

Thanks for tuning in, and have peace on your heart this week,

Corey

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Monday! Today we’re spotlighting the Cisco Small Business 300 and 500 Series 19″ Rack Mount Kit, CR124. There’s not much to say about this rack mount kit aside from its durable construction, lifetime warranty, and 100% compatibility to  Cisco SF200, SG200, SF300, SG300, SG500, and SF300 series switches! These rack mount kits also come with screws, everything you need for installation.

Since we don’t have much to say, here’s what some of our customers have said:

Blaine C. wrote, “Brackets and screws fit precisely and kit included mounting screws for the rack as well.”

Adam R. said, “These brackets are absolutely amazing. They screw onto the device, and allow it to be screwed into a rack! Absolutely incredible feat of engineering here.”

Eido I. commented, “Hard to review two pieces of metal, but here goes: they were solid. They work. Genuine parts. And promptly shipped.”

Enjoy 15% off this week! Head on over to our Deals of the Week page to snag yours!

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Big U.S. retailers line up deals to take on Amazon Prime Day frenzy – Reuters

Are you ready to hear about all of the incredible deals going on right now? There are quite a few retailers fighting for your attention! This article from Reuters explains which retailers are going head to head with Amazon’s Prime Day Frenzy! 

Amazon.com Inc will face challenges from big retailers during its annual Prime Day promotion, as more merchants piggyback on the multibillion-dollar online sales event.

Target Corp, Walmart Inc, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Macy’s Inc, and Kohl’s Inc are some top American retail chains offering big discounts and promotions to coincide with Prime Day, which takes place on Monday and Tuesday this year.

The two-day sales event, which generated here $10.4 billion in gross merchandise sales for Amazon last year, is taking place earlier than its traditional July run date, as the e-commerce giant looks here to boost spending in what are historically slow sales days in the quarter.

And retailers are not missing the opportunity to get a slice of that pie.

Department store chain Macy’s is teasing customers with an “Epic Specials” event for two days starting Monday, while rival Kohl’s is promoting cashback and discounts on beauty, apparel, and household goods through its Prime-day coinciding event called “Wow Deals.”

Target has taken it up a notch this year, increasing the number of products and discounts on its website during Prime Days. This is in contrast to most U.S. mall stores, which have been cutting down on assortment and promotions this year, the data showed.

Home furnishing retailer Bed, Bath & Beyond is offering an “even bigger and better” challenger event to Prime Day this year, with same-day delivery on orders $39 or more and rewards that give customers up to $100 for future purchases.

Some of its top deals include 60% off on Crux appliances and 25% off on Graco Pack ‘n Play baby cribs.

Walmart’s competing sales event will start one day ahead of Prime Day and end on June 22. The world’s biggest retail chain, which launched its own subscription program called Walmart Plus last year, is offering deals on built-in Roku TVs and Roomba vacuum cleaners, among other electronic items.

Amazon Prime Day, which has grown into a two-day shopping bonanza rivaling the U.S. holiday shopping season, will see 20 countries participate this year. The event in India and Canada, however, has been postponed due to COVID-19.

Adobe expects Prime Day to top $11 billion in total online spending for U.S. retailers this year, surpassing sales generated on Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year.

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Shoppers booting up a web browser and expecting to see big discounts on Amazon’s Prime Day might come away disappointed. Experts say Prime Day deals this year could be particularly limited due to supply-chain obstacles and robust consumer spending that have left inventories lean.
• With chicken wings in short supply and prices rising, Wingstop is “hacking” its own brand by launching Thighstop, a virtual restaurant that will serve up crispy chicken thighs. Like the original Wingstop, customers can pick one of 11 flavors and opt for either a bone-in or boneless thigh. The new brand will be available for delivery or carryout in 1,400 locations nationwide via DoorDash or on Thighstop.com
• American Airlines canceled hundreds of flights this weekend due to staffing shortages, maintenance and other issues, challenges facing the carrier as travel demand surges toward pre-pandemic levels.
• A number of workers have used the freedom of working remotely during the pandemic to leave behind their sedentary housing and move full-time into vans. These remote workers drive from location to location in their homes, working off internet hotspots in their vans, spending their free time in nature, and exploring new places. As vaccines roll out and states start to open up, some workers are returning to their offices, but for many of those who’ve adopted the van life, there is no end in sight to their life on the road.
• Target is adding food and beverages to Deal Days, its sales event, and answer to Amazon Prime Day. The coming months will test whether Target and other grocers can convince consumers to keep filling up fridges and cooking, even as they make social plans and return to dining out.

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In This Issue: Cisco Aironet 1040/1140/1250 Series Power Injector | What does 5G mean for business networks? | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Friday! Today is National Fishing Day and that seems like the perfect way to kick off the weekend festivities of celebrating dad! Just make sure you let dad catch the biggest fish! We hope you have a fun and relaxing weekend! 

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The CK Daily – Rhythms & Reflection

Happy Friday folks! I’m on vacation this week, so I’m writing this daily post from a completely different city. We’ve had this trip planned for a few months now and are enjoying our family time! So while I’m away from the office, this means I’m not in my home office going through my normal daily rhythms each day. And I’m missing those!

I had a mentor tell me once that he took time off every quarter. He found that just like seasons changes every 13 weeks or so (some seasons in Georgia are way shorter, like spring), he also needed to take time off every quarter. This was not only a time to relax & recharge, but also a time to reflect. I didn’t fully understand that statement then, but it’s starting to make more sense as the years pass. I now realize the power of not doing my daily rhythms for a few days. By the end of a few days, I start to yearn for it again. I’m also able to evaluate the rhythms for effectiveness. Once I’m back into the swing of things, I pick right back up with the rhythms that have the most impact, and I change those that don’t.

What things have you learned recently by taking time to reflect?

Chris

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Friday! Today we’re introducing you to the magic of the Power Injector. These devices provide you flexibility in setting up your access points, by providing a way to power them with an Ethernet cable. This is especially useful if your network does not have a PoE switch or enough PoE budget to run additional access points.

Instead of replacing your switch or buying an additional PoE switch, you can deploy power injectors with access points where needed.

The AIR-PWRINJ4 is specifically designed to power up Cisco Access Points including, but not limited to the 1040, 1140, 1250, 3500, and 3600 series Access Points.

Pick one up today for 15% off!

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What does 5G mean for business networks? – CK Learning Center

There is a lot of technology generating excitement for more applications than we could hope to name. One central theme to virtually all of that technology is an increased demand on data and need of higher bandwidth for connectivity. More devices than ever are actively communicating, and they are placing massive burdens on existing infrastructure. Copper networks and 4G wireless have a shelf life. Within the next couple of years, they will no longer be able to service standard demands — much less cutting-edge applications. Ultimately, we all need a network that is built for the new age of connectivity. That network will run on 5G.

What Is A 5G Network?

The name itself refers to fifth generation mobile wireless networking. In effect, it is an overall upgrade to every aspect of performance in mobile networks. It’s designed for faster data rates, more connectivity and traffic, lower power demands and lower deployment costs. It’s still largely in a developmental phase. Components of 5G networking are ready to go to market, but large scale networks are still primarily in testing phases. Because of that, raw data on 5G performance is a mix of practical and theoretical.

5G aims to achieve data rates up to 20 Gbps. Early iterations might be slower, but 5G is intended to provide Gigabit or faster wireless connections. It can also operate with a theoretical 1ms latency. In order to achieve these impressive numbers, it will largely be built on optical transceivers and a solid fiber backbone.

How Is it Different From 4G?

Aside from the raw performance improvements, 5G is embracing a fundamentally different design philosophy. 4G and its predecessors are designed around massive towers. Any individual tower is intended to handle many thousands of users and transmit across kilometers of air. 5G is completely abandoning this approach.

The primary design of the new networks incorporates far more network nodes. By attaching optical transceivers to fiber networks, 5G wireless can create coverage that serves far fewer users per node. Ultimately, this decentralizes the 5G hardware. The smaller, faster devices can be mounted with greater freedom than traditional cellular towers, and the result is a more robust, scalable network.

You can loosely compare this design to other modern, decentralized concepts. IoT and blockchain both try to connect as many different users as freely as possible, and 5G is being engineered to support those demands.

The Bottom Line on 5G

When it comes to business infrastructure, there are key takeaways from this 5G overview. First, 5G is an inevitable necessity. Traffic demands are only growing, and 4G is already up against a wall. Any applications that have to cover more area than is economical with Wi-Fi need to already consider moving towards 5G.

Another huge takeaway is 5G’s reliance on fiber infrastructure. This isn’t entirely new; 90 percent of internet data is carried on fiber optic lines already. The difference is that 5G aims to reduce the distance between cellular relays and the fiber backbone. For your infrastructure, that means that a fiber network is key to any system that spans more than 500m in a single direction.

The last takeaway is equally important. 5G runs on optical transceivers. These use far less power than slower alternatives, and it means that large networks with many nodes will be more affordably served by 5G than older technology. The hybrid of fiber and optical components gives network designers far more freedom. The idea that a faster, more reliable, large-scale wireless network will also be more affordable might seem like a pipe dream, but that’s the promise of 5G. Just keep in mind that it only saves money after you have access to fiber-optics infrastructure.

Continue reading the rest of the article from the CK Learning Center here. 

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Roku has out-executed larger companies and leaned on an unusual corporate culture to gain a $45 billion valuation. Roku founder Anthony Wood is now spending much of his time thinking about the company’s content ambitions.
• The coronavirus pandemic could boost newer modes of transportation in China, like making autonomous driving more mainstream. The Covid-19 outbreak accelerated the commercialization of autonomous aerial vehicles — or driverless drones — which were used to transport goods, medical supplies and even passengers to and from quarantine zones.
• Burger King’s new chicken sandwich, the Ch’King, marks a shift in its menu strategy. Burger King is shifting its menu focus from promotional to foundational to unlock the next level of growth.
• The biggest change to Microsoft’s Office documents in decades is coming to life soon, as the company’s Fluid framework arrives in Microsoft Teams, OneNote, Outlook, and Whiteboard. Instead of tables, graphs, and lists that are static and bound to specific documents, Fluid components are collaborative modules that exist across different applications. They will begin showing up in Microsoft Teams first this summer, embeddable in meetings and chats.
• Samsung is ending sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in the US, but it’s unclear if the device is entirely being discontinued at this point.

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In This Issue: Cisco Original 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP Module | Understanding MPO/MTP Cabling Systems in Data Centers | News to Start Your Day

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Happy National Eat Your Veggies Day! Everyone’s favorite day, right? We’re supposed to consume 3 to 5 servings of vegetables per day, and some of us can’t even begin to fathom consuming that many vegetables in a full year. Grab your favorite vegetable and enjoy!! 

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The CK Daily – Get out of the rut

Being in a routine has been my friend for as long as I can remember. If I didn’t have my daily routines I would chase squirrels so many times during the day it would be ridiculous. Plus, I would never get anything done. My ADHD can get wild sometimes. My routine has served me well with getting everything done around the new house, at work, and with my family, but sometimes you just need to shake things up to gain a different view or perspective on things.

I have noticed lately that my routine has gotten me in a rut and with that has come some negative effects primarily in my thinking, especially about my health, working out, eating, and just the way I have felt overall. I thought a lot about this all weekend and week and decided I needed to get out of my “rut”. I have just felt “blah” lately and I don’t like it. I feel like I have gotten complacent and just been on autopilot with a lot of things. If you have ever been in a rut, you know what I am talking about.

I am working on a list of things that I want to change along with getting my mind right and getting positive about stuff is the first step. I got a view of where I want to be and started working towards that. Motivation is key. I decided to start working on my mindset, positivity and getting active again. I hurt my arm a while back so working out and exercising has been a bit of a challenge, so I am starting with baby steps again. I have also switched up my working environment and have been listening to music while I work instead of having the news or sports on in the background. Been trying to surround myself with stuff that makes me feel good and that I enjoy. So far, so good.

What kind of things do you do to get out of a rut or shake things up when your routine has made you feel “blah” overall?

Jason

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Friday-eve! We hope you’ve been enjoying all the great deals we’ve been highlighting this week. Good news though, we’re not done yet! Today we’re spotlighting the Cisco Original 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP Module, GLC-LH-SMD.

Cisco’s industry-standard SFP is a hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into a Gigabit Ethernet port/slot, linking the port with the fiber-optic network. SFPs can be used and interchanged on a wide variety of Cisco products and can be intermixed in combinations of IEEE 802.3z- compliant 1000BaseSX, 1000BaseLX/LH, or 1000BaseZX interfaces on a port-by-port basis.

The Cisco GLC-LH-SMD fully complies with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BaseLX standard. The GLC-LH-SMD also operates with digital optical monitoring. However, their higher optical quality allows them to reach 10 km over single-mode fiber (SMF) versus the 5 km specified in the standard.

This week, enjoy 10% off!

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Understanding MPO/MTP Cabling Systems in Data Centers – CK Learning Center

When it comes to maintaining a data center, the job is never-ending. As soon as the last upgrade finished, new technology arrived to force a new round of improvements. Some networks are still installing 10G fiber optics, even while 40/100G is essentially the new standard. It’s just part of the game. If you want to give yourself a fighting chance to keep up with these paces, you need fiber optics that are scalable and efficient. Those two words form the entire design philosophy behind MPO/MTP systems. If you haven’t already explored this option, it’s time to start learning.

What is MPO and MTP?

The short answer is that these are high-volume data cables. MPO is a multi-fiber push-on. MTP is short for multi-fiber termination push-on. Both cables utilize the same connector type and serve a lot of the same functions. We’ll get into the main differences in a minute. For now, let’s look at the basics of why these systems are so popular in data centers.

MPO/MTP are pre-terminated and support speeds from 10G up to 100G. Both cable types use connectors that are the same size as SC, and these cables support 12 or 24 fibers per cable. The sheer information density within these cables is massive, and considering how much space the compact design saves, it’s easy to see why they’re so common in data centers.

A few design elements really shape the functionality of MPO/MTP cables. They perform parallel optical communication. This allows simultaneous transmission and reception (like a simple duplex cable). The difference is that these cables handle a lot more than a single fiber pair at a time. With so many strands pre-arranged in the cables, the volume and capacity of these systems is achieved with far less effort on-site.

MPO vs MTP

For the most part, the design and advantages are identical between the two systems. We’ll be discussing those advantages at length. Before we do, let’s talk about the defining difference. In many cases, the two terms are used interchangeably. While shopping around, you’ll find this is commonplace, but there is a minor distinction that we can make now.

MPO is a generic fiber connector type. Any manufacturer can conceivably make MPO cables and equipment. MTP is trademarked by US Conec. So, technically speaking, any MTP cable is from a single manufacturer. This is akin to calling a tissue a Kleenex or a guide dog a Seeing Eye Dog (that’s a bonus fact for you). It doesn’t really matter which term you use as long as you understand why both exist.

Bridging the Gap

While MPO and MTP cables are common in data centers, MTP cables perform a special service. In particular, MTP-LC breakout cables are the key piece to bridging gaps between older 10G equipment and newer 40/100G systems. The breakout cables have an MTP connector on one end while the other “breaks out” into groups of LC connectors (6 or 12 in total). This allows 10G equipment to piggyback off of 40/100G systems with minimal investment. A single breakout cable is sufficient to combine the systems. This takes cost, strain, and stress out of upgrading or transitioning 10G systems to keep pace with modern data demands.

Want to read more of this article, head on over to the CK Learning Center to do so! 

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Facebook announced that it will begin testing advertisements that will appear within the company’s Oculus virtual reality headsets. The Oculus headset ads will first appear in the shooter game Blaston from Resolution Games. 
• Google provided a peek inside its first retail store a day before it opens in New York. Customers can come to try and buy all of Google’s products and services. The store will also offer support for devices and software. 
• Reports of new Covid-19 cases have decreased in every region of the world except Africa.
• The Department of Education announced Wednesday it has approved the cancellation of about $500 million worth of federal student loans held by 18,000 borrowers who attended ITT Technical Institute. The borrowers will have 100% of their loans canceled.
• Amazon is calling on social media companies to help it curb the spread of fraudulent product reviews. Amazon said bad actors are turning to outside platforms to solicit fake reviews, which has made it more challenging for the company to stamp out the activity on its site.

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In This Issue: AC Power Cord, 5-15P to C15, 14 AWG, 8ft | The Importance of Human Connection | News to Start Your Day

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Happy Hump Day! We’re halfway through the week, and for some of us it may feel like it’s flying by and for others, it might feel like the weekend will never get here. Wherever you are and however you’re feeling today, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the little things. Find joy in the work you are doing. The weekend will be here before you know it! 

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The CK Daily – The Perfect Gift

Happy Wednesday Friends!

As I prepare for the upcoming holiday, Father’s Day, I’ve started thinking of what I can do to show my appreciation to my father and my husband. The running joke in my family is we do way more for Mother’s Day than we do for Father’s Day but this year I want to turn that theory around.

I’ve jokingly asked my dad if he preferred a new necktie or a shirt this year which he laughed and opted for neither. What do you get a person who has everything? There are so many new gadgets out but to give a gift with significant thought put into it seems more appropriate for a person who has raised you.

Some may see it as a copout, but I decided to go the most logical route and flat out ask my dad and husband what they wanted as a gift and what they wanted to do on “their day”. Easy peasy- can’t go wrong considering they are the ones who gave the suggestions.

So that’s exactly what I am going to do. I will honor their wishes and we will do whatever they want to do on Father’s Day even if that means leaving them alone to enjoy their sports and video game playing. It’s their day after all, right?

Happy Early Father’s Day to all the Dads out there!

Shanyce 

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Product Spotlight & Updates:

Happy Hump Day! Today’s product spotlight is simple, but a necessity when it comes to keeping everything powered on. The AC Power Cord, 5-15P to C15, 14 AWG, 8ft, C1683096 is a heavy-duty AC power cord that is perfect for all of your network and data center needs!

Power cords are commonly used to connect a piece of equipment to a power distribution unit and many other uses. Whether the cords are used in a basic or dense installation, these heavy-duty power cords save time and money.

The equipment end is C15, or IEC60320-C15 is a 3 prong, female connector commonly used on the end of computer and networking device power cords. This equipment end looks like the C13 with a notch missing. The C15 can be used in place of the C13 if needed, which makes it more versatile. This plug has a maximum current rating of 10 amps at 16-18AWG, 15 amps with 14-16AWG, and able to handle a maximum of 250 volts. This end can plug into a C14 or C16.

The supply end is 5-15P NEMA 5-15P. These three-prong male plugs are used in most households and businesses in North America to supply power to devices. They are rated at 15 amps on a 10-18AWG cord and up to 125V AC. The receptacle for this plug is a 5-15R.

Enjoy 10% off this week only, as part of our Deals of the Week!

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The Importance of Human Connection – Ramsey Solutions

We live in a strange world. We communicate without talking. We fight without throwing a punch. We celebrate milestones with tiny digital hearts and thumbs-up emojis. And as our digital interactions skyrocket, the data shows we’re losing real human connection. Millions of us have 1,000 “friends” online but no one who can help us move our couch.

In 2019, three in five Americans described themselves as lonely, and this was before the pandemic collapsed our social lives.1  In the fall of 2020, Harvard sent out a survey and found that things are getting worse—especially among specifics groups. Half of new mothers and six out of 10 young adults (aged 18–25) say they are “miserably” lonely.

Our independence is built into our cultural identity. We come from a legacy of bootstraps, lone cowboys, and figuring things out for ourselves. But researchers, mental health professionals, and public officials agree: Many Western countries are facing a social epidemic that’s devastating for our well-being. Simply put: Loneliness is killing us. The stress of disconnection contributes to addiction, ADHD, anxiety, depression, heart disease, obesity and suppressed immune systems . . . just to name a few.

We must work to make this right. The stakes are too high. But what do we even mean by human connection? What does it look like?

What Is Human Connection?

Human connection is when two or more people choose to engage in vulnerable interactions where each person is heard, seen, known, and valued. You’re connecting with others if you feel better about yourself or the world after you’ve been with them. At the same time, connection is a risk because people may accept you, challenge you, love you, or call you out.

Connection is a disposition you have toward people—more of a mindset than a relationship status. It’s the way you treat the friends you’ve had for 20 years, and your kids, and your spouse, and the person in the Burger King checkout line. Do you aim to really see, know and value people? And do you let others see, know and value you? 

For your closest relationships, I like to sum it up this way: Connection is being fully known and fully loved. Sadly, most of us believe that we have to choose being known and loved. We hide and edit the parts of ourselves that have gotten us hurt before. We tell ourselves stories like, If she only knew about ____, she’d leave in a heartbeat. We live in the shallow end of our relationships, afraid to go deep because of the potential consequences.

But real connection is like scuba diving. You simply cannot stay on the surface if you want to have rich and meaningful relationships.

Want to keep reading more about what human connection is and is not and how to connect with people? You can find the full article from Ramsey Solutions here. 

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• Today, President Biden is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since taking office in an hour-long meeting. Biden said he plans to raise the issues of cyberattacks, human rights abuses, Ukraine, and election interference. 
• China’s Zhurong rover on Mars was equipped with a detachable camera that it dropped ten meters from where it landed. One of the fantastic images Zhurong just sent back to Earth is this selfie of the rover and its landing platform. The selfie it sent home looks like a scene from the movie WALL-E.
• Apple is currently doing an “Awesome Apple Giveaway.” With a donation to The Playing For Change Foundation, a nonprofit helping to improve the lives of thousands of kids worldwide through music and arts education, you’ll earn entries to their massive giveaway.
• Ever Given hasn’t budged after being freed from the Suez Canal. Egypt’s government has impounded the vessel as it awaits payment on a $900 million compensation bill. The ship made headlines in March when it ran aground in the canal for six days, blocking hundreds of ships from passing through the waterway. Suez Canal Authority filed a $916 compensation claim against the ship’s owner for losses and damages that accrued during that time.

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In This Issue: Cisco ASA 5515-X Firewall Edition | Your Gide to Cisco Catalyst Switches | News to Start Your Day

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Happy National Smile Power Day! A smile is one of the most powerful expressions you can give. Today, challenge yourself to smile more! Use a smile to disarm a tense situation, or simply smile during your daily tasks. Sending you lots of love and smiles! 🙂

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The CK Daily – Trips to Amelia Island

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a great week so far!

This is a short week for me as I’m headed out of town on Friday for a little beach vacation with friends. We are headed to Amelia Island, FL, and I’m pretty excited about it! Last summer I was invited to go on a beach vacation with my brother, sister-in-law, and the kids. We had reservations for a cute condo on 30A, but unfortunately, the renters right before us caused some damage that took the condo out of commission for a while so our plans were unexpectedly canceled. We scrambled to find somewhere else to stay (which was a struggle!) and the best option we could find was on Amelia Island. I wasn’t familiar with the island so I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but we ended up having a phenomenal time!

I am excited to go back and explore the island a bit more! If you’ve been there and have any tips on places that we need to check out, great restaurants, etc please let me know! I’d love to get some insider tips from anyone who is more familiar with the area!

Rebecca

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Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Tuesday! Today we’re highlighting the Cisco ASA 5515-X Firewall Edition, ASA5515-K9.

Cisco ASA5500-X series next-generation firewall is the new enterprise-class standard in security for the current and emerging security pressures that may threaten your network. The new firewall line will give you the added security that your network needs, but at a cost that will keep an IT budget in line. The ASA5500-X series will give you a comprehensive range of next-generation security services that include: granular visibility and control, web security over the cloud or onsite, protection from malware, and remote access. The ASA5500-X series is specifically designed for small to medium businesses that have one or more locations, service providers, and large enterprises. A midsize business will primarily see improved security at the internet edge of their network. They provide various security options and redundant power supplies as well. This provides consistent security over your business. This new type of firewall has scalable performance as well as service flexibility with variations of licensing that are available for each firewall.

This week only, enjoy 25% off! Grab one while it’s such a great deal!

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Your Guide to Cisco Catalyst Switches – CK Learning Center

A network is only as effective as its weakest link. When you have heavy demands, you need good options to meet and exceed those demands. Cisco has been providing top-quality options for every network design for decades. This overview will introduce you to some of the most common, versatile, and widely-used switches Cisco has to offer.

Cisco Catalyst 2960-S

Cost-effectiveness is the name of the game with 2960-S switches. These Gigabit Ethernet switches are designed for enterprise applications in a stackable form factor that provides wired connections for reliable, adaptable network designs. These switches include all of the basics:

– 24 to 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports

– Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) up to 30W

– USB Interfaces

– Stackable up to four switches

Cisco Catalyst 2960-X

Some switches are designed for a wide range of applications. The 2960-X switches live up to that promise. These stackable, Gigabit switches are built for jobs ranging from simple device management to campus network management. The Cisco IOS software makes configuration, troubleshooting, and monitoring as easy as possible, and Layer 2 and Layer 3 features ratchet up the possibilities of what can be accomplished with a single switch design. True versatility comes from the following features:

– Up to 48 Gigabit Ethernet ports

– 4 SFP uplinks or 2 10 Gigabit SFP+ uplinks

– PoE+ up to 740W and Perpetual PoE

– Device management via web UI, Bluetooth, Command-Line Interface, Simple Network Management Protocol, RJ-45 console access, and USB access

Cisco Catalyst 3560

Speed doesn’t always have to come at the cost of power. This fast Ethernet switch features ports that get up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections on a power-saving design that provides more finite control over total power consumption. A variety of select models can provide impressive features:

– Up to 50 access points and 1000 clients with each stack

– Up to 48 100 Mbps ports and multiple 10 Gbps ports

– PoE ports providing up to 60W per port

– Up to 160 Gbps of throughput per stack

Cisco Catalyst 3560-X

This switch series expands on its predecessor by expanding security, adding services, and further improving energy efficiency. The switch offers robust design improvements:

– Security enhancements including Flexible NetFlow, MACsec Layer 2 encryption, and TrustSec access control

– Simplified means to deploy LAN, configure, and troubleshoot networking elements

– Hot-swappable cooling fans, modules, and power supplies

– Up to 48 PoE+ ports that support 60W per port

Want to keep reading more about the best, most common switches Cisco has to offer? Find the rest of this article from the CK Learning Center here. 

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Today’s News to Start Your Day:

• As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases are on a decline and are reported at 5,305,986.
• Businesses and consumers are bracing for another shipping crisis, as a virus outbreak in southern China disrupts port services and delays deliveries, threatening to drive up costs again. Waiting times for vessels to berth at the Yantian International Container Terminal in Shenzhen have skyrocketed from an average waiting time of 0.5 days to 16 days.
• The U.S. Supreme Court gave Microsoft’s LinkedIn another chance to try to stop rival hiQ Labs from harvesting personal data from the professional networking platform’s public profiles. It’s a practice that LinkedIn contends threatens the privacy of its users.
• Rocket Lab announced it won a NASA contract to design two of its Photon spacecraft for the agency’s “ESCAPADE” mission to Mars in 2024.
• If you recall the chaos of business trips, you’d be wise to start preparing now. You don’t want to have to change into your suit in a hurry at the airport or get off the plane looking like a wrinkled mess. Fortunately, you won’t have to with the help of InstaSteam. InstaSteam is the world’s only portable clothing steamer that is fully TSA-compliant. It requires no electricity and steams your clothes within minutes. You can find them here! 

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