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Archives for May 2021

CK Daily – 05.26.2021

May 26, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue:Deals of the Week | The Future of Ethernet in Data Centers | News to Start Your Day


Happy Hump-Day! Anyone else remember the days of playing outside with friends seeing who could build a paper airplane that would travel the farthest? Today we celebrate the simple aeronautical toy that put lots of smiles on many faces – Happy National Paper Airplane Day! 


The CK Daily – Where has the time gone?

Happy Wednesday! We are halfway to a long weekend! Leo Christopher once said, “There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on.”

This quote forced me to take a step back and reevaluate the boundaries I set around how I spend my time and where my time goes. Our time is so precious and something we can never get back so why not be protective over it?

Here are 3 things I’ve reminded myself this week:

1. No amount of money, accolades or personal accomplishments are as important as the time I spend enriching my relationships with those who are important to me.

2. I am in control of my life and I have all the strength needed to succeed in anything I set my mind to.

3. Stress doesn’t help anything! No need to spend time stressing over things I can’t change.

Certainly, there are times in our lives where everything seems to be crazy busy and it’s necessary for use to sacrifice time, but whether we are almost to the finish line of a major work project, navigating how to homeschool your children, or building your passion project, never lose sight of what’s most important.

I challenge you, as I have challenged myself, to value your precious time and stay focus on what’s in front of you!

Shanyce 


Product Spotlights & Updates:

The Deals of the Week just keep on getting better! We’ve highlighted a few so far, but there are many more where those come from!

This week we’ve included, a Cisco 2960-X Series Switch, a Cable Management Kit, a 20 ft-Snagless Ethernet Cable, a singlemode duplex Fiber Cable, and a Cisco Series Router! Enjoy up to 25% off some of these incredible products!

Pretty sweet, right?!

To add to it – we’re still offering free shipping on orders over $250 and $4.99 flat rate shipping on all other orders! What are you waiting for? Snag one of these great deals today!


The Future of Ethernet in Data Centers –  CK Learning Center

Does Copper Cabling Still Have a Place in Data Centers?

More than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are produced every day. That’s a mind-boggling number. Equally impressive is that roughly 90 percent of all data in the world was produced in the last two years. That second statistic will likely hold true even as years pass. That’s because the rate at which we create new data continues to accelerate. In the face of such overwhelming numbers, it often feels like the entire future of networking rests on the shoulders of fiber optics. While fiber networking is absolutely essential to handling massive, consolidated data streams, it’s a mistake to think that every network needs to completely convert. Ethernet still has a strong place in networking, and that holds true even for the most advanced data centers in the world. Let’s take a look at exactly why Ethernet is still important and how we can expect it to function in the near future.

Ethernet To the Desk

There is no contesting the fact that fiber will continue to do more of the heavy lifting for data centers. IoT and similar concepts are increasing the total amount of information being transmitted by leaps and bounds. Despite that, copper cable’s secure place in all of this is based on a simple fact. None of the endpoint devices building those data tables need high bandwidth. IoT devices themselves tend to be simple and require little bandwidth. It’s an important part of the design. This extends to a large segment of endpoint devices. Sensor networks, digital cameras, long-range detection, monitoring and LED-based power systems all thrive on copper networks. When data rates aren’t needed, the cost of fiber optics is prohibitive. This is to say nothing of the efficiency of running power through copper data lines. PoE saves cost on extending Wi-Fi networks, monitoring systems and an almost innumerable number of additional applications. Basically, Ethernet still has a place in data centers because so many of the devices in the center just don’t need fiber optics.

The Better Ethernet Cables

There’s a second reason that Ethernet is here to stay. It keeps getting better. Cat5 was introduced in 2001. It was the first copper cable to achieve 1Gbps data rates (if inconsistently). In the decades since, Ethernet cables have expanded in capabilities and uses — many of which reside in data centers.

Cat6 Ethernet

While it’s been around for a while, Cat6 has been essential in extending the lifespan of Ethernet networking. Running at frequencies up to 250 MHz and data rates up to 10 Gbps, Cat6 introduced better shielding that protects against crosstalk. It is optimized for VoIP, and in most cases, it’s a superior cable to any other for this purpose. Cat6 can maintain 10 Gbps at distances up to 55 meters, and it is otherwise effective up to 100 meters.

Cat6a Ethernet

Cat6a took improvements in Cat6 and expanded them. It still caps at 10 Gbps, but it can maintain this rate up to 100 meters. It also operates at a frequency of 500 MHz. Perhaps the signature changes is the Cat6a further expanded on shielding to eliminate crosstalk struggles in cable-dense networks. That stronger shielding also makes it well-suited for industrial work and rugged environments.

Cat8 Ethernet

Cat8 is the latest and greatest. It is an Ethernet platform designed for significantly higher data rates. It supports 25GBASE-T and 40GBASE-T applications, meaning it can get up to 20 Gbps. Part of the advancement of Cat8 resides in its 2 GHz transmission frequency. With greater data transmission capabilities, Cat8 is at its best in switch-to-server interconnections. It’s clear to see why it’s a powerful option in data centers. The fact that it still uses copper wires just shows that the future is not fully dominated by fiber optics. Copper cables still have a place in this world, and that isn’t going to be changing anytime soon. While the continued expanse of data transmissions will require some emphasis on fiber cables, applications are increasingly favoring copper at the endpoint. Decentralized networking and hyper-efficient data collection both favor less-expensive networking cable, and copper will continue to be essential in that function. By all means, look for opportunities to utilize fiber where it fits, but never make the mistake of overlooking Ethernet solutions.

This post is from the CK Learning Center. 


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 5,735,539.
  • Malaysia’s daily Covid-19 infections per million people — on a seven-day rolling basis — have exceeded that of India. Malaysia has been battling a surge in coronavirus cases since the last few months of 2020. India has been experiencing a devastating second wave since April and has the world’s second largest Covid caseload.
  • Amazon Prime Day is expected to kick off next month. Look for deep discounts on headphones, TVs, exercise gear and Amazon devices.
  • The San Jose city council has approved Google’s big plans for a mega campus that’s been in the works for the last four years. Construction may begin as soon as next year, but the campus will still take around a decade to fully build. It’s Google’s first mixed-use campus and aims to be a model for other tech campuses as soaring real estate prices drive growing alienation toward tech companies.
  • The Chinese government wants to crack down on Bitcoin mining and trading. Meanwhile, the US Treasury will require all cryptocurrency transfers worth more than $10,000 be reported to the government.

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.25.2021

May 25, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue:Cisco 1RU Cable Management Kit | How to test whether your VPN is working? | News to Start Your Day


Happy Tuesday! We’re almost halfway through this week, and today we’re paying tribute to one of America’s original art forms. Tap dancing! Get your toes tapping, your rhythm in check, and hit the dance floor! Happy National Tap Dance Day!


The CK Daily – Tech I’m Loving

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone is off to a strong start this week!

Are you someone who is into “smart home” types of products? These days it seems like there are no limits to what you can buy to make your home smarter (and your life easier!). The technology out there is incredible, but I’m actually a pretty low-tech person when it comes to my house. I don’t have smart lights, locks, thermostats, or anything like that. I don’t even have an Alexa or other voice assistant. Simple is my jam, but back in November I made a purchase that I described to my family as “either the best $100 I’ve ever spent, or the most frivolous $100 I’ve ever spent”. I knew that only time would tell. So, what did I buy? A robot vacuum cleaner, of course! I got it for around $150 off its normal price (gotta love Black Friday sales!) so that was how I justified it in my mind, but it still felt like a questionable decision.

Now that I’ve been using it for a while, I’m happy to report that it was a GREAT decision! So good, in fact, that I had to share it with all of you! I’m slightly obsessed with having a clean floor and am someone who used to vacuum every. single. day. This little vacuum has given me so much time back that it’s kind of unbelievable! It does a phenomenal job and requires zero effort from me! As an added bonus, it’s hands-down the most entertaining thing my 1 year old niece has ever seen. She could literally watch that little vacuum go for hours (cheering and clapping for it all the while… pretty cute!). All this to say, if you have had your eye on one of these, go for it! It’ll change your life! 

Rebecca


Product Spotlights & Updates:

Today we’re highlighting a product that is perfect for controling you cables and clutter. It’s a fast and easy solution to your organization needs and better yet…it’s 10% off! The Cisco 1RU Cable Management Kit, CABLEMGMT-1RU, is essential for proper hardware management. Not only do they save you time and frustration, they also save you money by keeping your cables organized and preventing them from getting damaged. Cable management kits also make your networking closet look clean and may prevent fire hazards.

Keep your cables organized with this cable management kit for a 1RU rackmount kit. It will fit any rack kit that has the appropriate screw hole, but is specifically made for the STK-RACKMOUNT-1RU and RCKMNT-1RU kits. This is the standard (or shorter) 1RU cable management kit, the length is 3.25 inches and the width is approximately 1.5 inches.


How to Test Whether Your VPN is Working (and spot VPN Leaks)

If you signed up to a VPN and want to make sure it’s safe to use before browsing the web, then the best way to do so is to test it yourself. There are several free tools that allow you to test your connection’s security and determine whether or not your VPN is doing its job. You need no special knowledge to do so, so let’s get started. 

What are VPNs?

In short, VPNs are services that will let you connect to the internet through their servers, effectively changing your IP address and partially protecting you from tracking by your ISP and any websites that you visit. If you want to keep yourself undetected while browsing, they’re an important part of your toolkit, although you’ll also need to use Incognito Mode and follow some other steps for anything resembling anonymity.

However, VPNs aren’t bulletproof: There are some problems that can pop up in even the best of VPNs that can potentially reveal your IP address to the sites or services that you visit, thus rendering your VPN useless. Thankfully, there are a number of free tools available on the web that can help you track down these issues and deal with them.

Types of VPN Leaks

When a VPN broadcasts your IP address instead of that of the VPN’s server, that’s called a leak. There are three types of leaks that you can easily detect with simple tools: IP leaks, WebRTC leaks, and DNS leaks.

IP leaks come in two flavors: IPv4 and IPv6 leaks. (We have an article on the difference between IPv4 and IPv6). An IPv4 leak is when the VPN fails to protect your connection, pure and simple. You won’t see too many of these, if ever, as they only happen when a VPN fails.

According to Dimitar Dobrev, founder of VPNArea, IPv6 leaks happen if both you and the website you connect to support IPv6, but your VPN only supports IPv4. With the IPv6 connection effectively unprotected, the site can see your IP address. The only good way to prevent this is to upgrade to a VPN that uses IPv6 protection or has the option to shut it off. If your VPN has neither, then get another.

WebRTC leaks are a different issue: In the words of ExpressVPN Vice President Harold Li, Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) is a collection of standardized technologies that allows web browsers to communicate with each other directly without the need for an intermediate server. As this goes on, occasionally, a browser can accidentally reveal your IPv4 address and with it, your location. If this happens, you can disable WebRTC requests with a browser extension.

Last but not least are DNS leaks, which are quite common, and even high-end VPNs will occasionally suffer from them. They happen when your DNS requests are sent to your standard DNS servers directly without going through the VPN and using the VPN’s DNS servers. Changing servers should fix it, but if it happens regularly, you probably need to change VPNs.

Want to read more about the testing tools, testing the connection, and learn more about bad results? You can check out the rest of this post from HowToGeek here!


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 5,754,650.
  • Moderna reported that its Covid-19 vaccine was 100% effective in a study of adolescents ages 12 to 17. The company said it plans to ask the FDA to expand the emergency use of its Covid vaccine for teens early next month. It is the second vaccine behind Pfizer’s to demonstrate high efficacy in younger age groups.
  • Amazon is close to a deal to buy MGM Studios for between $8.5 billion and $9 billion. It would be Amazon’s biggest acquisition since it bought Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion.
  • Airbnb announced more than 100 new changes and updates to its platform Monday with a focus on flexibility, ahead of a widely anticipated boost in travel as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to subside in some parts of the world.
  • As high heels gathered dust during the pandemic, sales of Birdies  “stylish flat that’s secretly a slipper” soared 300% year-over-year in April 2021. 

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.24.2021

May 25, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue:Cisco 2960-X Series 24 Port Lan Lite Switch | What is Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing Technology? | News to Start Your Day


Happy Monday and Happy National Scavenger Hunt Day! Today is a great day to adventure out and find random items all in the name of good fun. What’s one of the most exciting things you’ve found on a grand scavenger hunt? We’d love to hear about it!


The CK Daily – Healing Power of Water

Happy, Happy Monday, CK Fam!!

From anywhere in the midwest to the east coast, the last few days and upcoming week are providing some very hot weather. Many  of us wish away the cold weather in the winter, get about 2-3 weeks of nice 60s-70s and then it becomes scorched plains 80s and 90s with high humidity and we begin to wish away the heat. Personally, I love having the four seasons and fluctuating weather, always trying to turn lemons into lemonade on those rough weather days.

When it gets very hot, like it was this weekend and upcoming week will be – I always try to remind myself of the healing power of water. This USA Today article really sums it up well: 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2017/11/13/blue-mind/857903001/

Being in, on, near, or under water benefits the mind and body. So on these scorching days, get to a body of water, a river, lake, pond, pool, or beach- and give yourself the mental or physically break (or both) you need to reset.

Have a blessed and wonderful Monday,

Corey 


Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Monday! Today we are spotlighting the Cisco 2960-X Series 24 Port Lan Lite Switch, WS-C2960X-24TS-LL and it’s 15% off this week! This beast of a switch has 24 ports with two 1 Gig SFP ports with LAN Lite software.

Cisco has always done an amazing job with catering to small and medium-sized business. The Cisco 2960-X series is another generation that was added to the already popular 2960 and 2960S series that will enable the typical small to medium-sized business to function at an enterprise level without the enterprise budget. The 2960-X series switches offer a fixed configuration of Ethernet switches that are not only Gigabit, but also stackable in most cases. The 2960-X was specifically designed for easy deployment and operational efficiency. These switches are also energy cautious and have a large range of IOS software features.

Within the 2960-X family, the switches come in either 24 or 48 variations and have gigabit Small Form Factor (SFP) or 10G SFP+ uplinks. Each switch is equipped with FlexStack Plus. This enables the switch to be stacked up to eight switches and can produce 80 Gbps of stack throughput. Along with stacking, each unit will feature USB and Ethernet managed interfaces, LAN Base or LAN Lite, and energy management features. Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+) is available on most models.

Switching capacity on the 2960-X series come in twenty-two percent higher than the 2960-S units as they have a total capacity of 216 Gbps. Each switch will offer either two 10 gig uplinks or four 1 gig uplinks and zero-touch configuration as well as IOS software updates when you are deploying the 2960-X switch.


What is Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing Technology? – CK Learning Center

No matter what kind of network you maintain, you always have the same demands: more speed, less cost, and larger capacity. For any network with heavy demands on data and/or distance, this always results in implementing fiber optics. This is technology that grows and shifts every day, and it can be exhausting to stay on top of the mountains of information out there. To help with that, a few simple explanations of popular fiber optic tech can make your life a lot easier. In that effort, today’s lesson is on CWDM technology. It’s one of several fiber optic cable choices, and it can fill many roles.

What Is CWDM?

The acronym stands for Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing. As the name states, it is a form of multiplexed fiber optics, so CWDM networks can send simultaneous, two-way communication. The term “coarse” refers to the wavelength spacing between channels. CWDM utilizes laser signals that differ in increments of 20 nm. A total of 18 different channels are available — with a wavelength range from 1610 nm to 1270 nm — and 8 can be utilized in a single system. Since each channel is capable of data rates of 3.125 Gbps, the aggregate ability is 10 Gbps for any CWDM cable.

Sometimes, it’s easier to understand the value of a piece of technology by comparing it to alternatives. In wavelength division multiplexing, DWDM (Dense WDM) is the other popular choice. DWDM has a wavelength spacing of 0.4 nm. That enables a denser packing of signals (hence the name) and can produce much higher data rates — up to 100 Gbps. The primary difference between CWDM and DWDM is that chromatic spacing. While DWDM can send and receive more information, the smaller differences reduce the tolerance of the signal and require far more precision in the laser design. This is why DWDM is much costlier per foot of cable than DWDM.

Where Is CWDM Best Used?

With high data rates, a low cost and good transmission range (up to 60 km), CWDM shines in many instances. It’s best at city-level applications. Many broadband internet providers build the bulk of their infrastructure on CWDM lines. Large campuses and data centers also benefit from integrating CWDM.

One of the often overlooked advantages of coarse WDM is its compatibility with both GBIC and SFP connections. This makes it ideal for upgrading legacy systems that still use the older interface.

To summarize, CWDM is ideal for fast and long networks that don’t need more expensive speeds. It’s also ideal for a gradual upgrade of older systems.

The most important thing to remember is that you never have to marry a cable choice. Networks are living animals, and you’ll always find various niches within the design. CWDM can be your flexible line that keeps your options open, but you can still utilize other cable designs where the need arises.


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 5,790,408.
  • Covid cases in the U.S. have dropped to their lowest level in nearly a year, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The declining cases come as many Americans plan to travel, spend days at the beach and gather with friends and family over the summer. 
  • NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover took this 360-degree panoramawhile atop “Mont Mercou,” a rock formation that offered a view into Gale Crater below. The panorama is stitched together from 132 individual images taken on April 15, 2021, the 3,090th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The panorama has been white-balanced so that the colors of the rock materials resemble how they would appear under daytime lighting conditions on Earth.
  • Phil Mickelson, 50, wins the PGA Championship to become the oldest major champion in golf history.
  • Virgin Galactic took a step closer to completing development of its space tourism system on Saturday, successfully flying its first spaceflight in more than two years. The company’s spacecraft, named VSS Unity, was carried up to an altitude of about 44,000 feet by a carrier aircraft called VMS Eve. The aircraft then released the spacecraft, which fired its rocket engine and accelerated to more than three times the speed of sound.

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.21.2021

May 21, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue: 50ft, CAT5e Ethernet Patch Cable, Half-Moon, Booted | 7 Ways to Build Greatness | News to Start Your Day


Happy Friday and Happy National Pizza Party Day! Whether you’re in the office or still working from home, today is a day to extoll all the qualities of pizza! What are your favorite pizza toppings? 


The CK Daily – How do you manage your day?

Hey there folks! Another week has passed, and this one FLEW by! Even though this week has gone by in a blur, I know that I made progress on a few big things. Until a few years ago, I didn’t have a weekly routine to define priorities for the coming week. The weeks flew by then as well, and I wasn’t always sure that I had invested my time into the highest impact things. It was easy to say “yes” to whatever request came my way. You ever felt like this?

Then I learned about the Full Focus Planner (no, I’m not getting paid to put this here). The critical thing the planner has taught me was to take one hour EVERY week and review the last week and pick the one to three things that I must move forward this week. I find the review time immensely valuable now! I think about the wins from the past week and also think about the areas I could improve. And I have a unique set of post-it notes that I only write the one to three things on that must move forward this week. This post-it note gets put in a prominent place on my desk so that it’s easy to see!

What ways have you found to improve your focus and productivity?

Chris


Product Spotlights & Updates:

Friday is finally here and today we are highlighting the 50ft, CAT5e Ethernet Patch Cable, Half-Moon, PC5-YL-50.

Our Snagless CAT5e Ethernet cables are made with the highest quality copper wire construction to support networking Gigabit Ethernet speeds (up to 1000 Mbps) over short distances. This makes these patch cables perfect for general use, and are the most popular network cable for home or office networking.

The molded half-moon boots, referred to as “Standard boots”, on our CAT5e cables are specifically designed to prevent catching when being manipulated in hard-to-reach areas. 

CablesAndKits’ ethernet cables are individually bagged and labeled in clean, clear packaging, which makes them easy to store and the length and type is easily identifiable.

This week, enjoy 15% off! Grab one while you can!


7 Ways to Build Greatness – The Jon Gordon Blog

Today’s encouragement is from Jon Gordon’s blog. You can read the full post here.

1) Design Your Masterpiece – In order to build something, you must first design it. You must know what you want to build. You must have a vision of the masterpiece you are creating. If you can see it, you can create it. If you have a vision you also have the power to make it happen. The key is to be intentional and decide what you truly want to build and create.

2) Work Your Craft – You don’t master your craft or build a masterpiece overnight. It takes a lot of years, hard work, sweat, and tears. It’s why Michelangelo said, “If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.” It’s a process that requires you to continuously work at your craft in order to improve and grow. A great example of this is Pablo Casals, the famous cellist, who was asked at the age of 90 why he continued to practice. He said, “Because I think I’m making progress.” If you want to master your craft you have to be willing to show up each day and do the work that greatness requires.

3) Build With Optimism – When a craftswoman is building something, she is so focused on creating her vision and masterpiece that she is filled with optimism and belief about what she is building. While there are challenges during the building process the craftswoman uses those challenges as opportunities to innovate and adapt. You must believe in what you are building and find a way to get it done. What you believe determines what you create. So, make sure you maintain your belief and optimism as you build greatness.

4) Love It – The famous opera singer Luciano Pavarotti was asked about his exceptional discipline to continuously work on his craft. He said, “People think it’s discipline but it’s not discipline. It’s devotion.” As a craftsman, it’s your love and devotion that will drive your discipline. Your love for what you do will drive you to build greatness. If you don’t love it you’ll never work to be great at it. This means if you want to become a master of your craft then make sure you choose a craft you love. If you love it you’ll be more likely to invest the time to work your craft and be devoted to it.

5) Care More – The difference between just showing up to build something and intentionally creating a masterpiece is reflected in the heart, soul, passion, and care that you put into what you are building. If you care more you will do more, give more and create more. To build something great you must care more about what you are building than all of the distractions vying for your attention. Distractions are the enemy of greatness and if you care about your craft you won’t let these distractions get in the way of your growth.

6) Create Inside-Out – A craftsman creates from the inside out. From their spirit, heart, soul, and essence inside them, they create the masterpieces we see in the world. It’s the same way with your life or anything you create. What you see in your outer world is a reflection of your inner world. There’s a word called Meraki. It means to do something with love, creativity, and soul; to leave a piece of yourself in your work; to leave something behind. Being a craftsman/craftswoman is all about Meraki. Put your love and soul into it. Leave a piece of yourself in whatever it is you are building. Leave something behind. Create a masterpiece that reflects the essence of your love, energy, effort, and craft.

7) Take on New Challenges – A craftsman always wants to make their next work their best work and they’re willing to take on new challenges in order to grow. I read a piece by Charles Killian where he shares the story of Donatello rejecting a three-ton block of marble stone because it had too many flaws and cracks in it. The haulers decided to bring it to Michelangelo to see if he wanted the stone. Michelangelo inspected the stone and discovered the flaws and cracks in it as well. But he decided to do something with it. He thought it would be a challenge to his craftsmanship. From that flawed block of marble, he would go on to create the statue of David, the greatest art treasure in the world.


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 5,871,914.
  • You can now take a ride in Jeff Bezos’ rocket ship for $2.8 million. Online bidding for the coveted inaugural spot about Blue Origin’s New Shepard will continue until June 19th 
  • Amazon will discontinue its standalone Prime Now app and website by the end of this year. The service launched in 2014 as a way for Prime members to get one- or two-hour delivery on a range of goods, from household essentials and books to toys or groceries. Shoppers will still be able to get fast delivery on the Amazon app or site.
  • The U.S. government has seized almost 70 big cats from an Oklahoma animal park operated by a star of “Tiger King.” Sixty-eight lions, tigers and lion-tiger hybrids, and one jaguar, were taken from Tiger King Park in Thackerville, which is run by Jeffrey and Lauren Lowe.
  • Snap announced a new version of its Spectacles smart glasses. These augmented reality glasses allow you to overlay digital objects on the real world. The Spectacles include two cameras, four microphones, a touchpad, and buttons for controls. Users can also give audio commands to the device by saying, “Hey Snapchat.” The new Spectacles are equipped with 30 minutes of battery life.

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.20.2021

May 20, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue: HDMI to DVI-D Cable w/ Latched Gold Plated Connectors, 3 ft. | Deals of the Week | What are Shielded Ethernet Cables? | News to Start Your Day


Happy National Rescue Dog Day! Today we recognize all the benefits of allowing a four-legged friend to adopt you into their immeasurably lovable life! Do you have a rescue pup? We’d love for you to share a photo with us!


The CK Daily – Be Anxious for Nothing

“Be anxious for nothing”…That is a lot of times easier to say or read than it is to do. We all have things that we get anxious about. It could be tests, finances, flying, public speaking, weather, etc. For me…it is health stuff. I haven’t talked about this a lot in a LONG time and generally don’t discuss it. It took me a long time to come to grips with the fact that I deal with hypochondria. By the way, did y’all know they changed this to Illness Anxiety Disorder?? I guess that sounds more official. (???)

It has been a very long time since I have dealt with a major episode of IAD, but I think my body and mind figured now was the perfect time with the new house, moving, work, and other family things going on. Why not, throw that into the mix as well. The past week has been a rough one dealing with the mental and emotional side of it but as a result of the body’s reaction to anxiety, I have had a lot of physical issues pop up. If you deal with IAD, you understand the pains and muscle soreness I am talking about. They can be just as debilitating as dealing with full-blown symptoms of an illness.

Overall, the biggest part of the battle with this is in the mind. I have to work at getting my thoughts right (and to stay in the right direction), get around people that will encourage and help me walk through it, and constantly keep encouraging scriptures, quotes, and stuff in front of me. This doesn’t immediately take the pain, soreness, and anxiety away, but over time it helps to get me out of the mental hole and get my feet back on solid ground. Two of my favorite scriptures and quotes that I cling to during these times are:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

If you are dealing with anxiety of any type today, just know you are not alone and it will get better and you will be ok. I know it is hard to accept that or let that sink in (Trust me…I am going through this right now myself), but you (we) will get through it. If you deal with IAD or any type of anxiety, let me know. I will be praying for you.

Have a great day!

Jason


Product Spotlights & Updates:

They may be small, but they sure are mighty! Today, we’re spotlighting the 3ft, HDMI to DVI-D Cable with Latched Gold Plated Connectors, CBDVIHDMI-03. This cable connects DVI devices to HDMI devices going both ways. Used for DVD, satellite receivers, LCD, projectors, plasma, and HDTVs.

There’s not much to say about these things, but they have some stellar reviews! Below are a few we’d love to share!

Phillip K. wrote, “My old laptop used a VGA cable to connect to my Dell monitor and my new one did not have a VGA port. The Dell monitor did have DVI-D and HDMI ports so I ordered a new cable to allow me to use the existing monitor and now the digital input.

Worked perfectly, shipping was fast and the price was a third of the local Best Buy.”

Steven T. said, “These are very good cables. They come in handy if you have mismatched monitor/PC video ports.”

Mittlbar noted, “I received my cable very quickly. The quality of the cable is very good and the price is excellent.”


What are Shielded Ethernet Cables? – CK Learning Center

Currently, the use of high bandwidth applications has been on the rise, and network systems have started venturing into factory environments which have called for the use of shielded cables. In this new installation sector, the cable is used in areas with high electromagnetic interference (EMI). Even with improved ability to reject noise and handle gigabit Ethernet, these cables will not function properly in areas where there is high EMI if not properly shielded. A shielded cable will help in these high EMI installations ensuring safe and efficient data transfer.

STP and S/STP

These are the two basic types of shielded ethernet cables. STP cables with an overall generic shield whereas S/STP cables have a shield for each pair and an overall outer shield. The Shield of STP cables can either be a foil or a braid, but for additional strength, some cables can comprise of a foil shield and an outer braid shield.

STP and FTP

Cables that have an overall foil are known as FTP, whereas those with a braid are known as STP. STP is the generic name given to all shielded cables. At times, there arises confusion where FTP cables are assumed to be unshielded or that they are significantly different in terms of performance. In practice, the STP and FTP cables can be used interchangeably, and there is no apparent difference in their performance.

S/STP

The second type of cable is one that has each of the individual pair shielded and then there is an overall outer shield. This type of cable is referred to as S/STP. The purpose of having an inner shield is to ensure that there is no internal cross-talk between the pairs. This will help in ensuring that the cables meet the specifications of the Alien Cross Talk parameter which is significantly difficult to achieve with CAT6a and CAT7 systems. However, Alien Cross Talk is not a requirement when it comes to CAT6, CAT5e, and CATS systems. Additionally, it does not significantly contribute to the overall resilience of the cable when it comes to resisting external RF noise such as the one made at the mains-induced spikes. The physical construction comprises of a foil on both the inner and overall outer shield. Additionally, there can be a braid that will improve the cable’s strength and also simplify the connection to the metal shields which are around the connectors.

Proper Ground Connection

It is worth noting that all the shielded Ethernet cables should have a ground connection for their shields. In case your cable has an incorrect ground connection, then chances are there will be ground loop currents and also the associated interference to the Ethernet signal. In the worst-case scenario, where the grounding is poor, the shield can end up acting like antennas; broadcasting high-frequency signals from the cable to the outer environment. This will interfere with the delicate co-located electronic equipment and also allow external detection of the Ethernet data.

What is the Drain Wire in Shielded Cables?

Every shielded Ethernet cable should have a wire that stretches from the insulated wires to the shield. This is commonly known as the drain wire. Normally, the shield is connected to a specific pin in one end, which can even be the chassis. The connector shells are not connected anywhere and consequently, connecting the drain wire to pin 1 puts the entire cable at the potential of that pin. No current will be flowing, but the cable screening will be effective.

Bottom line on Shielded Patch Cables

Ethernet cables should be shielded which helps increase the cables’ resilience and also makes them stronger. As such, when going for Ethernet cables, consider going for ones that are shielded to ensure safety and longevity.

Check out CablesAndKits’ wide selection of Shielded Ethernet Patch Cables to find the length and color in Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a that is right for your network.


Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases are reported to be 5,901,405.
  • After pausing the launch because of the coronavirus pandemic, IHOP plans to open its first Flip’d by IHOP location this summer. Flip’d is a fast-casual spinoff of the pancake chain, with a menu formulated to appeal to on-the-go consumers.
  • Panera Bread unveiled its latest restaurant design, featuring double drive-thru lanes, added technology, and a renewed focus on the dine-in experience. Panera’s new design puts the bakery ovens out in the open, so customers can smell and see the bread and pastries bake. Check out an image of the exterior here!
  • Microsoft announced that it’s starting to roll out the latest update to its Windows 10 operating system. This update focuses on quality improvements rather than offering a bunch of new features for users to learn.
  • TuSimple, a driverless tech company, tested its trucks by hauling fresh watermelons along a 951-mile route from Nogales, Arizona, to Oklahoma City. The job, which normally takes over 24 hours, took only 14 hours and six minutes, the company said. A human driver worked on the pick-up and delivery of the produce. But during the long middle segment of the drive — from Tucson, Arizona, to Dallas, Texas — TuSimple’s vehicle drove itself with a human safety driver on board.

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

CK Daily – 05.19.2021

May 19, 2021 by Ashley

In This Issue: LC/UPC to SC/APC Singlemode Duplex OS2 Fiber Patch Cable | Deals of the Week | Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server | News to Start Your Day


May 19th is National Devil’s Food Cake Day! This day is for you chocolate cake lovers. Here is a delicious recipe for you to make and enjoy at home!


The CK Daily – Seize the Day!

Happy Wednesday! 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned my excitement in celebrating my upcoming birthday and y’all gave me some great suggestions on what traditions you and your family have. Well, my big day has come and gone. I always find it so interesting how quickly a long-awaited day comes and goes. We spend so much time anticipating the day for it to go by in a mere 24 hours. 

In my new age, I have spent a lot of time thinking of how I can seize the day and enjoy every little moment. Nowadays, we are so used to the fast pace life and lately, I have found it so rewarding to just sit down and enjoy whatever is going on around me. 

How do you make sure you are seizing the day? I will love to learn from you!

Shanyce 


Product Spotlights & Updates:

Happy Hump-Day! Today’s product spotlight is the LC/UPC to SC/APC Singlemode Duplex OS2 Fiber Patch Cable, FSD9-LCSCA-05 and it’s 20% off!

OS2 fiber patch cables are known for their outdoor use and for their loose-tube construction, compared to OS1’s tightly-buffered design and indoor use, this allows OS2 fiber to transmit over longer distances. This also makes OS2 fiber cords best for use with underground and burial applications.

Fiber optic cabling is the medium of choice for longer distance and challenging cabling runs. These cables are thinner than copper patch cords and immune to EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) making them perfect for riser runs and uplink cables.

There are two basic types of fiber cabling, single-mode and multi-mode. The cables listed here are single mode. Inside these cables, you will find three basic layers. Starting from the inside, you have the core which is surrounded by the cladding. Both are protected with the jacket on the outside. Single mode cables have a thinner “core size”. The core size is simply the thickness of the optical fiber inside the cladding. The cladding is material that surrounds that core which basically serves as the boundary for the signal, keeping the light refined to the core and not allowing it to escape. The thicker the core size, the more refraction the signal exhibits, the more signal degradation that occurs and the shorter the distance an intelligible signal can transmit. 

In addition, single mode cables are more “stable” as they are only thick enough to carry one wave of light. This eliminates distortion caused by overlapping light signals making them ideal for applications that require couplers or other branching devices.


Reasons to buy a Refurbished Server – CK Learning Center

As your company’s IT manager, you are required to make many decisions when it comes to selecting which technology you will utilize to best fit the needs of your company. One of the decisions you will be faced with is selecting a server that fits your needs for both price and performance. When it comes to shopping for servers, the options and price ranges are nearly endless. You might become overwhelmed and begin to think that you will have to sacrifice either price or performance, however, we’ve got good news. You can have the best of both worlds by going with a refurbished server. Here are some reasons this might be the best choice you could possibly make!

Price

Of course, price is an important factor to consider when you are working within a tight budget. Although new servers may have ever-so-slight advantages over refurbished ones in term of performance, most often the differences in performance are minor but the price difference is great. Buying a refurbished server can see you save 10, 20, or even 50 percent per unit. As a smart shopper, you want to get the most out of each dollar and buying a refurbished server allows you to do just that, which means you have more money left over for other IT needs.

Performance

There is a misconception that the refurbished servers’ performance is inferior to new ones. The truth is that the performance of a server is based on the configuration (drives, memory, processors, etc) of the particular server. A new server with the same configuration as a refurbished server should perform exactly the same.

Most IT departments replace their servers, not because they are damaged but because of schedules that they follow or agreements with manufacturers. Consequently, it is possible to get a refurbished server that in excellent shape and can be used for another 5 to 10 years without any issues. Next time you need to replace your server, contact us for a refurbished server that may even see you achieve better performance, and for a fraction of the price.

Maintenance

Maintenance cost is an important consideration when buying a new or refurbished server. One major benefit of going with a server that is one or two generations behind the new ones is the availability of spare parts. Getting replacement parts for refurbished servers can be easy and affordable, reducing maintenance cost and stress that comes with trying to find the correct replacement parts.

Warranty

Many people go for new servers because they trust the brand of the server and they feel confident that they can rely on the warranty (assuming one is provided). However, most warranties offered by other companies are limited to 2-3 years and, in many cases, they even cost you extra money. We’ve got your back, though. Here at CK we offer an industry-best lifetime warranty on all of our servers. That means that if you experience trouble with the server or components in the server, we will make it right!

Check out our servers here!


Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • As of this morning, in the US, active COVID cases are reported to be 5,944,794.
  • Another cheesy one bites the dust as Taco Bell fans are mourning the removal of a cult-favorite menu item. After making its long-awaited return earlier this year, the fast-food giant announced that the Quesalupa will no longer be available.  Fans are encouraged to satisfy their Quesalupa craving before it leaves the menu. But judging by internet outrage, it seems that the beloved crunchy item has already been removed from the menu at Taco Bell locations across the country.
  • Burger King will enter the chicken sandwich wars on June 3 with the Ch’King. The burger chain is trying to set itself apart from the pack by hand breading its chicken. To celebrate the nationwide launch, customers who order the Ch’King on the Burger King app or online will receive a free Whopper in addition to the chicken sandwich.
  • Google IO 2021 is its first developer conference in two years. Though there were not big announcements, the company dropped several updates and expansions to products ranging from AI to shopping aimed at Amazon. Read more here!
  • With more than 1.9 billion drinks served every day, Coca-Cola is one of the world’s largest beverage companies. With U.S. soda consumption on the decline, the soft drink maker has been forced to pivot. Coke recently launched Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, marking its first move into alcoholic beverages on its home turf after a four-decade-long hiatus. The company has also recently invested in the sports performance drink category with BodyArmor and it purchased U.K. coffee maker Costa in 2019.

Filed Under: CK Daily Updates

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