Today’s Topics: Home Automation | All About GLC-SX-MM’s | Floor Dispensers w/video | What is a Console Cable? | News to Start Your Day
Happy Tuesday!
January 19th is National Popcorn Day! Did you know that popcorn is the official snack food of the State of Illinois?
Smart home devices are super popular these days. Unless you’re trying to avoid them, I’m sure you have one or two in your own home. An Ecobee or Nest thermostat? A Ring doorbell? Maybe a Furbo camera and pet treat dispenser? We enjoy using smart home devices ourselves. We’ve never gone as far as to have a smart home, but we’re working towards some really cool things right now. For years we’ve also been interested in home automation. [What’s the difference in home automation and a smart home?] Having played with some things like switches and receptacles years ago, we know we want to enjoy the convenience of having the proper “brain” for the system and scenes set up for our daily routine. I really want a Tony Stark-like setup, but I’m sure I’ll have to compromise.
It turns out choosing which controller and devices to control isn’t as simple as it seems. We (actually just Craig) have been working towards a home automation setup in the theater room and basement. He’s really into figuring it out, kind of going into mad scientist mode recently. He told me a few nights ago, after hours of working on a problem, that he wanted a break or a breakthrough, ha. There doesn’t seem to be a one size fits all solution or even a well-bundled package for basic home automation, so if you’re going to DIY it, it seems like you have to be willing to tinker. So far Craig is really liking Control 4 solutions. He’s also working on a possible home theater solution with something called a Raspberry Pi, which I thought sounded kind of delicious, but turns out it is a compact computer. I hope to learn more about it all soon.
Do we have any home automation experts connected here? Any advice for us in these early stages of tinkering?
Christin
Product Spotlights & Updates:
Today we are featuring a CLASSIC! The GLC-SX-MM transceiver is one of those core, tried and true products that we all know and love! These 1G SFP transceiver modules offer tons of flexibility as they support 50/125, 62.5/125, and laser optimized 50/125 (OM3) fiber! They are an ideal solution for providing gigabit uplink capabilities in many Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls. In addition, they are hot-swappable so they are super easy to install – just plug-and-play! We offer this Cisco transceiver in a variety of conditions: Factory Sealed or Refurbished. We also offer our very own CK branded version so there is something for every need and budget! All of our transceivers come in anti-static packaging and look and function like new!
Check out the AWESOME reviews for this product! 22 reviews with an average rating of 5.0… Not too shabby!
If you’re looking to learn more about GLC-SX-MM transceivers, check out our YouTube video where Jonathan and Craig break down what you need to know!
Happy Tuesday!! Don’t forget about our great deals for safety supplies! We recently dropped prices on Hand Sanitizer Dispensers to their lowest levels yet! Now is the ideal time to stock up!
We have slashed prices, which means there has never been a better time to stock up! We are even offering a 20% OFF COUPON for PPE orders of $250 or more! These automatic, touchless dispensers are perfect for helping to keep your friends, family, employees, customers, or anyone else who walks through your doors safe! We have 3 different form factors:
Desktop Dispensers – Small and perfect for keeping on your desktop or countertop!
Wall Mount Dispensers – Sleek and slim! Ideal for high traffic areas in offices, schools, restaurants, hotels, and more!
Floor Stand Dispensers – Strong, sturdy, and free-standing! Perfect for all those high traffic areas! Easy to move locations as needs change!
What Are Console Cables and What Are They Used For? / What is a Console Cable? – CK Learning Center
***View the full article with diagrams HERE.
Console cables — also known as Cisco cables, rollover cables and management cables — are designed for a specific purpose. They connect Cisco networking devices to terminals or PCs for configuration. Typically, the Cisco end will connect via RJ45, and the terminal end will conclude in a serial connection.
What matters most about console cables is the specific nature of the connection. This is not an Ethernet or networking connection. It is a terminal connection, and its purpose is to enable the connected computer to configure the networking device. This is true for older Cisco equipment and brand-new devices. Configuration is performed through the serial connection.
What Are the Primary Kinds of Console Cables?
Console cables come in many shapes and sizes and with a variety of connector types. There are three that are used more commonly than the rest, mostly because of the frequency with which you will see these different connectors.
RJ45 to DB9
A RJ45 to DB9 is probably the most well-known console cable today. Once upon a time, console cables were connected with improvised “kits” that were little more than a string of adapters on the end of a serial cable. Today, you can get an RJ45 to DB9 cable that replaces the “kit” with a single cord. As the name implies, one end is RJ45 and the other is DB9.
This is the most direct serial connection available, and it comes packaged with a wide variety of Cisco devices. It’s something of a standard, but despite that, it’s designed to communicate with terminals that have the DB9 port. If you want to connect it to a PC or laptop, you’ll likely need an additional adapter between the DB9 end and your USB port.
USB A to Mini-B
Another common console cable, the CAB-CONSOLE-USB, connects the USB on a terminal to a mini-B port on the Cisco device. You’ll notice the lack of RJ45 connectors. This is a specialized cable that services smaller, often portable devices. Despite the connection pieces, this is still a “serial” cable that enables terminal communication.
USB to RJ45
The CAB-CONSOLE-USB-RJ45 is arguably the most modern console cable. It ditches the less-used DB9 connector and streamlines your communication. It goes seamlessly from the console port on the Cisco device to a standard USB port on a PC. It’s the simplest way to create a terminal connection with modern equipment, and it is not a standard inclusion in Cisco hardware packages. A handful of these cables can make network control substantially faster and easier.
Today’s News to Start Your Day:
- As of this morning, in the US, there are 9,665,428 active COVID cases, 14,554,147 have recovered and there have been 408,623 deaths.
- Biden’s inauguration committee is set to hold a memorial to remember the lives lost to Covid-19 on Tuesday evening in Washington as U.S. deaths from the coronavirus neared 400,000. The president-elect is expected to speak at the commemoration. On Monday, the incoming Biden administration said it won’t lift an entry ban on most visitors from Europe and Brazil, shortly after Trump ordered an end to those travel restrictions. The outgoing president first put the Covid rules in place in March.
- NY Gov. Cuomo sent a letter to Pfizer asking if New York state could buy vaccines directly from the company. Biden advisor Dr. Celine Gounder said Cuomo’s request could cause more problems than it solves. Gounder said the U.S. is in “our fifth peak right now” and that the next few months will be all about “layering protections” to avoid a sixth one.
- President-elect Joe Biden said Friday that he’ll activate the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Guard to help get COVID-19 vaccines to millions Americans. While outlining his administration’s plan at an event in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said his top priority when he takes office next week is to vaccinate Americans against the virus, as the pandemic continues to rage throughout the country. Previously, he pledged his administration would administer 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses in his first 100 days in office. With current vaccines requiring two shots, that would cover 50 million Americans.
- 2021 is going to be a big year for blockbuster movies. The disruption from coronavirus means that a backlog of massive films intended for release in 2020 are now crammed into 2021 and 2022 — and several are coming to the small screen on streaming services like HBO Max and Disney Plus. The James Bond adventure, No Time to Die, Marvel’s Black Widow, Fast and Furious sequel F9 and many more have been rescheduled for the new year. Check out a full list of movies on the CNET.com website.
- A Capitol rioter accused of taking a laptop from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s office during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol siege with the alleged intention of selling the device to Russian intelligence forces has turned herself in on Monday, according to authorities. Williams allegedly traveled to D.C. with her father on Jan. 6, but separated from him during the day, the warrant states. She is facing charges of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to the DOJ.