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CK Daily – 08.11.2021

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In This Issue: Cat6 RJ45 Inline Coupler Type Keystone Jack | Dell PowerEdge Server Product Comparison | News to Start Your Day

Happy Wednesday! You’ve made it to the middle of the week and the weekend is just around the corner. We hope your week has been going well. If there is any way that we can be praying for you, please let us know! 

The CK Daily – The Beauty of Work Life Balance

Happy Wednesday!

I bring you greetings from St. George Island, Florida. My family and I took a drive down south and followed the smell of the ocean. Commonly known as the “Forgotten Coast”, it’s the last remaining stretch of unspoiled, Gulf Coast, beaches that haven’t been overrun by high rises and strip malls.

We are here for a full work week and OMG why haven’t yall told me how relaxing it is to sit and work with the ocean breeze?!

COVID-19 has put a halt on a lot of our traveling, but I am happy to be able to “sneak away” and spend some safe time away with my family. I am also thankful for the jobs my husband and I have where we have the luxury to pack up our monitors, docking stations, and laptops and work from anywhere in the world.

When’s the last time you’ve taken a few days to balance work and relaxation?

Shanyce

Hot Topic of the Day

The biggest question of all time – Apple or Android? 

Good news for both sides, in Apple’s upcoming update later this year, you’ll be able to share FaceTime links with friends that don’t have an Apple product to open in a web browser. As long as they have the link, they can join a FaceTime call on any platform! Read more about it here! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts! What do you think about this new feature? What do you love about Apple or Android? What do you not enjoy? Head on over to our CK Facebook page to engage in some dialogue with us! 

Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Hump Day! We’ve made it to the middle of the week and today we’re showcasing a small gadget that should truly be in everyone’s toolbox, the Cat6 RJ45 Inline Coupler Type Keystone Jack.

The Orange RJ45 feed-thru keystone jack simply snaps into blank wall plates and patch panels with no need for tools or punch down. Simple and easy!

Fernando P. summed up all there truly is to say about these and wrote, “Good quality, great price, and fast shipping.”

Dell PowerEdge Server Product Comparison – CK Learning Center

Choosing the right server requires a lot of homework. There are just so many options and finding the right server to fit your needs can be a bit confusing. In an effort to help you narrow down some options quickly, here’s a simple comparison guide for several Dell PowerEdge serverseries. We will highlight the primary hardware differences between R600, R700 and R800 series and help you narrow down a few of your seemingly endless options.

PowerEdge R600 Series

The biggest identifier for the R600 series is that they are all 1U rack servers. While some argue that the smaller form factor limits power, the R600 series still offers plenty of computation. Hardware includes the following:

-(2) Xeon Processors

-Up to (24) DIMM Slots

-Up to (6) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (3) PCIe slots

R600 servers offer a variety of configurations that enable enough customization to fit a large array of functions. If a smaller footprint or lower overall budget are top concerns, the R600 series shines.

PowerEdge R700 Series

The R700 series is the first on the list utilizing the 2U rack height. Obviously, this comes with additional configurations and hardware options, and it also requires more space, power, and cooling to optimize. Despite the larger form factor, the R700 servers still have a number of component options that are similar to the R600:

-(2) Xeon processors

-Up to (24) DIMM slots

-Up to (6) 3.5″ or (2) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (4) PCIe slots

-One of the other major differences between the R600 and R700 series is in hard drive configurations. Simply put, the 700s offer a much larger variance on storage.

PowerEdge 800 Series

Also utilizing the 2U height, the R800 series elevates hardware options on every level. This is the first series to offer more than two CPU sockets. R800s also supply a wider variety of processors for you to choose from. The full list would be quite long, so we can use the R810 as an example of potential configurations:

-Up to (4) Xeon processors

-Up to (32) DIMM slots

-Up to (6) 2.5″ drive bays

-Up to (8) PCIe slots

Despite the differences between the different servers, PowerEdge devices are designed for similar functions and configurations. They are all rack servers; they all run on the same operating systems; they all utilize the same RAID controllers. While the hardware variations will enable plenty of optimization the different generations are still made with backwards compatibility and the goal of working together with relative ease.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • Amazon debuted its $1.5 billion air hub in Northern Kentucky. The hub will serve as the central nerve of Amazon’s U.S. air cargo operations, allowing it to speed deliveries even further to more corners of the country.
  • Venmo launched a credit card feature that allows users to convert their cash-back rewards into bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for free.
  • Impossible Foods is bringing its meatless sausage to U.S. grocery stores. They also have plans to release meat-free chicken nuggets in restaurants this fall.
  • Due to the delta Covid variant, airlines are seeing weaker bookings and higher cancellations. 
  • People in the Pacific Northwest are bracing for another major, multiday heat wave starting Wednesday, just over a month after record-shattering hot weather when temperatures soared to 116 degrees Fahrenheit.

CK Daily – 08.10.2021

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In This Issue:  Cisco QSA Module, QSFP TO SFP10G Adapter Module | 5 Dangers of Social Media | News to Start Your Day

Happy National S’mores Day! Today we celebrate with the most popular campfire treat that millions of people, all ages, love to enjoy! Did you know the first recorded version of the s’mores recipe can be found in the 1927 publication “Tramping and Trailing with the Girl Scouts”?

The CK Daily – When Things Don’t Go as Planned

Good morning and happy Tuesday!

As you probably know, the Summer Olympics have come to an end. America came away with the most gold medals, finishing with a total of 39! Despite ending the games with the most gold medals, I think one of my biggest takeaways from this years’ games was a lesson on how to respond when things aren’t going your way.

One of the biggest stories coming out of the games was when Simone Biles removed herself from competition following a vault performance that didn’t go as planned. While some people were sour on the decision, my personal perspective is that it was the right thing to do. When she recognized that not only would continuing to compete be unsafe and put her at risk of injury, but also would likely bring down the scores for her team, she made the difficult call to remove herself.

Two of my favorite runners, Emma Coburn and Cory McGee also had fairly catastrophic performances during the games. McGee got tripped up and fell while racing to make the 1500m finals. She was able to move on thanks to a referee’s decision, but her performance was not what she expected. Coburn finished 14th in her 3000m steeplechase and was then disqualified for stepping off the track when she stumbled over a barrier on the last lap.

All of these athletes are undoubtedly at the top of their respective classes. They each put in unfathomable amounts of work leading up to the games and preparing for their moment in the spotlight. But sometimes things just don’t go as planned. Sometimes things go sideways and that’s when it becomes more about how you handle the loss rather than winning the game. I was super impressed with how each of these athletes handled their disappointments. I didn’t see any blame-shifting, but rather plenty of self-reflection. They were graceful in congratulating those who were successful in the events, they each showed strength in owning what happened, and they each showed fighting, “can do” spirit in resolving to work harder and come back better.

Biles returned to the competition and won bronze on the balance beam, which was a great comeback story. Meanwhile, Coburn and McGee are already back with their race teams assessing what went wrong and working hard so that they can come back stronger in the future! I’m impressed!

Rebecca

Hot Topic of the Day

Calling all Grey’s Anatomy Fans! NiceRx is looking for someone to watch all 17 seasons and document who has saved the most lives throughout the program, between Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Meredith Gray. Not only will you get to rewatch some of the most iconic scenes of the show, but you’ll get $1000 for doing so! 

To participate, all you have to do is fill out NiceRx’s dream job listingand tell them why you are the perfect fit! 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!! Are you a Grey’s Anatomy Fan? Would you participate in this? I mean, the benefits are pretty sweet! The full box set, a year subscription to Netflix, a Cameo message from Dr. Richard Webber, and a new resume skill! Head on over to the CK Facebook to let us know what you think!

Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Tuesday! We’re keeping the deals going this week with the Cisco QSA Module, QSFP TO SFP10G Adapter Module, CVR-WSFP-SFP10G.

Convert any QSFP port into an SFP or SFP+ port with this convenient, easy-to-use Cisco CVR-QSFP-SFP10G QSA Adapter Module. Simply plug one side of the QSA adapter into your QSFP+ port and attach an SFP+ to the opposite end of the adapter in order to convert a QSFP+ port into an SFP+ port. This gadget is compatible with several different devices and also is backed by our Lifetime Warranty!

Snag one today!

5 Dangers of Social Media

Today’s article about the dangers of social media is from Entrepreneur. You can read the full post here. 

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1. Real-life interaction is replaced if you allow it

Interaction on social media and the number of followers someone has cannot replace real-life human interaction, but users become so wrapped up in their lives on social media that they miss out on quality human interaction.

This is not healthy. You must spend time with family and friends — with your phone tucked away. Spending quality time with those close to you should be a priority. No amount of technology can replace the mental stimulation face-to-face discussions provide.

2. Feelings of envy emerge based on fabricated lives

Social comparison isn’t anything new. People have been comparing themselves and their lives to those around them for a long time. Social media has just amplified this, as it’s right in the users’ faces when they open a social media app.

As soon as Instagram is opened, for example, there is an endless feed of what looks like the perfect life. From personal accomplishments, lavish vacations, expensive designer clothes and luxury cars — it can appear that everyone is living the perfect life.

A feeling of envy can result, but it’s important to understand that social media is a highlight reel. It’s not real-life. Nobody is going to post that they are having a bad day or take a selfie with no makeup on and post a picture with pimples.

3. Moments are missed and memorable experiences are diluted

When was the last time you were at a concert or sporting event? If you have attended a large event over the past few years, you’ve probably noticed that many people take pictures or videos nonstop. By doing this, they are missing out on the experience as it’s intended.

If you are at a concert and your entire focus is on getting the perfect shot or capturing the perfect video clip, you are going to miss out on so much. These missed memories fly right by you while your focus is buried in your phone.

4. Addiction

This should come as no surprise to anyone, but social media can be highly addictive. Most people who spend too much time on social media will be the first ones to tell you that they do. So why don’t they reduce their time? Because it’s highly addictive.

Think about how many times you open up Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter. There are many reasons why social media is addictive, with one of them being the element of mystery. When you open up Instagram, what kind of content will you see? Instagram knows this — that’s why its feed isn’t in chronological order. The randomness enhances that mystery. This can result in the user falling down the social media rabbit hole, which can burn several hours of the day.

5. It can ruin your sleep, impacting your physical health

A lot of the discussion around the negative impacts of social media focus on mental health, but it can harm your physical health as well. Many people allow social media to drastically reduce the quality of their sleep. Being glued to social media at night or while lying in bed can prevent you from falling asleep.

If you go to sleep with feelings of envy, jealously, sadness or depression it can also deeply impact your rest. It’s a good idea to unplug from social media a few hours before bed. Give your body and mind time to rest without the distractions of social media.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • The Pentagon will now require all service members to get the Covid-19 vaccination by mid-September. 
  • “The Suicide Squad” fell short of theatrical expectations over its opening weekend, garnering $26.5 million domestically. Expectations were set at around $35 million.
  • There are more than 10 million open jobs in the U.S., the highest level ever, and over one million more jobs than unemployed people.
  • Apple’s upcoming flagship iPhones, likely to be called the iPhone 13 line, will be able to automatically blur the backgrounds of footage as part of a new video portrait mode.
  • AMC Entertainment has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. to showcase all of the studio’s 2022 slate in theaters for 45 days.

CK Daily – 08.09.2021

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In This Issue:  Cisco Nexus 3000 Series 48 Port SFP+ Switch | Tips for Maintaing Your Server | News to Start Your Day

Happy Monday and Happy Book Lovers Day! Today is the perfect day to grab a book and get lost in the pages. What are you currently reading? We’d love to hear some of your favorite book recommendations! 

The CK Daily – Reminder to Not Sweat the Small Stuff

Gooooood Morning CK Fam!

Another wonderful day and week to be alive and get started on the right foot.

A great devotional on Saturday I had to share from Joyce Meyer. Dreading the little things (the commute to work, laundry, dishes, running an errand, etc) and how the dread steals from our joy.

I don’t know about you, but there sure have seemed like a lot more energy vampires out there in the news, social media, and so on the last few years. I am not willing to sacrifice any more joy than I have already.

Be present. Do what needs to be done and maybe spice it up with a nostalgic music album you love or a podcast.

Hope you enjoy this message and this week!

Corey

Hot Topic of the Day

KFC Unveils a Hotel Pop-Up with a ‘Press for Chicken’ Button and ‘Colonelmobile’ Car Service. Credit: KFC

KFC is opening a themed hotel in London for 11 Days! The House of Harland will be open for 11 nights beginning August 18th! You can book a one-night stay for $154 and enjoy a private movie theater with a “Press for Chicken” button and an arcade machine!

Guests will be picked up from their travel in a Black Cadillac and have their own “Chick-In Clerk” to ensure they enjoy their stay. The hotel will be decorated with lots of chicken and all of the proceeds will go to the KFC Foundation.

The real question is, would you take up this offer of a one-night stay in the House of Harland? Head on over to our CK Facebook page to let us know your thoughts! 

Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Monday CK Family! We hope that you had a great weekend! To keep the excitement of the weekend going, we’re kicking off the week highlighting the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series 48 Port SFP+ Switch, N3KC3064PQ10GX-R. 

The Cisco Nexus 3000 series switches operate in the layer 2 and 3 switching realm. The 3064 is an in-line rate Gigabit Ethernet top-of-rack switch. In a normal environment, a top-of-rack switch will be the switch that will support modular deployment of data center racks. The ToR approach minimizes the length of cables required for each server since all of the servers are connected to the switch in the same rack. Most times, copper cables will be used to connect within the rack and the fiber cables will be used to connect each top of the rack switch. This setup enables expandability for future growth.

The Cisco Nexus 3064 has a switching line rate of 1.2 terabits per second (Tbps) along with 950 million packets per second within its 1RU design. The 3064 is designed to handle low latency and will deliver higher performance in high-frequency trading (HFT) environments. The N3K-C3064PQ-10GX operates on the Cisco NX-OS along with end-to-end Nexus fabric. This switch is designed for big data customers that need a top-of-rack switch that has local switching and connects with upstream Nexus switches.

This week, enjoy 20% off this switch!

Tips for Maintaining Your Server – CK Learning Center

Servers are powerful in every sense of the word, in fact, they can hum for 24 hours a day, seven days a week without having any issues. However, their efficiency can be reduced drastically or even cut short completely if they are deprived of proper maintenance. You can avert server failure or a major disaster by simply having a regular check-up on them. Hiring a server management solution is the easiest and worry-free way to go. However, if you choose to do it yourself, here are a few maintenance tips to follow:

Ensure the backups are in good working order

One of the best things you can do is to maintain server backups. There are several options for backing up your server. You can utilize a local backup (internal or external hard drives, magnetic tape drives, etc) or you can utilize a remote backup (offsite). There are pros and cons to each, however maintaining an offsite backup is oftentimes a higher security option because being in a separate location is a protection against natural disasters. Prior to making any changes, ensure that the backups are working. Check to see that the backup location is right. Run some test recoveries just to be double sure.

Check how the disk is used

When you start to use up too much space on your disks, it can quickly begin to affect performance and can even prevent critical backups from running. It is important to monitor disk usage and to take proactive steps to help free up disk space. Space saving ideas include deleting old mails, logs, and unused software versions. If you have more than 90% disk usage, get additional storage or reduce usage. A 100% server usage will cause it to stop responding, cause corruption of data tables and result in lost data.

Regular Update of OS

Linux systems often release updates and staying on track with them can be a challenge. It is, therefore, critical to use patch management tools as well as have monitoring that alerts you of a system update. You may miss on vital security updates if you choose to do manual or no updates at all. If automatic updates are not possible, then it would be best for you to create scheduled updates. Failing to update regularly could leave you exposed to hackers, malware, and potential loss of important data.

Clean your server regularly

Some people make the mistake of thinking that simply because their servers are in a closed cabinet they don’t get dirty. Nevertheless, even servers in proper environments can inhale dust and dirt. This may adversely affect their performance and reliability after some time.

Today’s powerful CPUs and GPUs require properly functioning fans to enhance air circulation. When the fans get exposed to dust and dirt for long, they may fail to function as expected. However, you should be careful when cleaning the fans not to cause any damage.

Check For Errors in the Hardware

Review the logs for detection hardware problems. Network failures, disk read errors, and overheating notices may be early signs of possible hardware failure. Look into these and more so, if the system has had a history of not working within the expected range.

Change Password

It may seem like a small thing, but it is critical that you change your password at least twice a year, especially if passwords have been given out previously for maintenance purposes. Remember that passwords should be long and complex and should contain a combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters if possible.

Test UPS Batteries

UPS’s have experienced tremendous improvements recently. However, that does not mean that they don’t lose capacity with time. Test your UPS’s at least annually to establish how long they will sustain a server. This may help you to identify the best time to replace them, especially when you find that their runtime has reduced drastically.

Check Security of the Systems

Use remote editing tools to review the security, auditing the server security, check on the OS updates, configuration of the system, and other possible risks. This should ideally be done monthly, however if that is not possible it should at least be done quarterly.

Update Control Panel

If you are using a server or hosting control panel, it needs to be updated. This may also require the software controlled by the panel to be updated as well

RAID Alarms Monitoring

RAID should be used in all production servers and hence, the RAID status should be monitored. A single disk failure can end up in a total system failure. This can cause the need for a simple drive replacement to result in a disaster recovery scenario that takes several hours to restore.

Server Utilization Check-Ups

Check the utilization of the network, RAM, CPU, and disk. If you are about to reach the limits, consider getting additional resources or even migrating to another server.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • Frontier Airlines will require employees to get vaccinated or regularly take Covid tests. Workers will have until October 1st to show proof that they received a Covid-19 vaccine, or regularly test negative.
  • The first batch of Sephora shops within Kohl’s stores debuted on Friday. Both brands are hoping to woo new customers with the partnership, which was announced nine months ago. The goal is to have 400 locations open this year, and at least 850 up-and-running by 2023.
  • The final medals are being awarded in the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics, wrapping two weeks of competition overshadowed by Covid-19. Team USA had a total of 626 athletes compete, winning 39 gold medals, 41 silver, and 33 bronze for a grand total of 113 medals in 28 different sports.
  • Air pollution in the U.S. and Europe improved over the last decade thanks to stricter regulations, but more frequent and intense wildfires are having a big impact on air quality. Mobile apps like IQAir’s AirVisual, Air Care, Breezometer, and others run by government agencies are helping people track air pollution.
  • It has been nearly three years since Instagram, the video and photo-sharing social networking service, introduced the in-app form for users to request a verified badge for their account. Recently they updated the self-submission form to request a verified badge. Now it’s allowing users to attach more information to their verification request substantiating their notability. 

CK Daily – 08.05.2021

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In This Issue:  CAT6A Ethernet Patch Cable, Booted, 3ft, Black | What is the difference in all the DVI connectors? | News to Start Your Day

Happy Thursday CK Fam! If you didn’t know, the Olympic Games end on Sunday so it’s time to soak up as much as you can until Paris 2024. What events have you been enjoying? 

The CK Daily – Take the Leash Off & Run

So, funny story/life lesson from my dog the other day. Last week I mentioned that I was having a fence installed at the new house. That was a chore in itself getting it approved and all the specifics nailed down. (Don’t get me started on HOA’s…haha!) The installers came in that day, on one of the hottest days we had, and knocked it out in no time. I was amazed at how quickly they got the fence up. My backyard is not a huge yard but it is a decent size. I guess when you do that day in and day out, it is pretty straightforward.

Now, on to the dog. They finished the fence and left. I ask the dog if he wanted to go out. Of course, he got super excited and ran over to where I keep his harness and leash. I told him he didn’t need that and to come on over to the door. He was super excited either way. Then I opened the door…he froze. He looked at the yard and then looked at me and then back to the yard. He had that look of, “wait a minute…if we are doing this, I am missing something!” I told him it’s fine let’s go on out. (Now, usually, he yanks my arm off going out the door to get outside when on a leash.) He put one paw slowly out on the patio. I walked on out in the yard and he slowly came to me. He started looking around and I told him he was free, to go run around, have fun. After a few more awkward minutes it clicked for him and he took off running. (Zoomies, if you know what those are.)

When he realized the freedom he had, he then relaxed and started enjoying himself. I think this can apply to several areas of our lives. Spiritually, professionally, health-wise, in relationships, etc. There are boundaries in our lives (the fence) that are there for reasons, but when we live and play within those protective boundaries we can relax and enjoy it. The problem is that we don’t take the time to remove the harness and leash to relax and run. We tend to just stick with what we’ve always done or known, even though we have the freedom to run. One more thing, we should seek to expand our boundaries at times in our lives, we just need to use the appropriate gates for that and not through the bars or over the top…haha!

Who knew getting a fence put in for a dog would give some new perspective on life. Now I just need to get some new outside toys for him. Any recommendations or thoughts?

Have a great Thursday!

Jason

Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Friday-eve! Today we’re highlighting the CAT6A Ethernet Patch Cable, Booted, 3ft. It might seem like something simple, but it’s mighty!

Our 3 foot Snag-less Category 6A (Cat6A) Ethernet Patch Cables have molded boots to prevent the cable from catching when pulled through tight spaces. Built to last, our high-quality Ethernet cables are pure copper for maximum throughput and reliability. Individually bagged and labeled in retail packaging, these Cat6A cables are easy to store and the length and type is easily identifiable.

These Cat6A cables can be used for various applications and provide transmission performance that exceeds the industry standard.

These are 20% off this week, so take advantage of this incredible deal while you can! 

What is the difference in all the DVI Connectors? – CK Learning Center

So, you are wondering what IS the difference between all the DVI connectors? There are 5 different DVI connectors. Read about them all here.

The DVI connector usually contains pins to pass the DVI-native digital video signals. In the case of dual-link systems, additional pins are provided for the second set of data signals.

As well as digital signals, the DVI connector includes pins providing the same analog signals found on a VGA connector, allowing a VGA monitor to be connected with a simple plug adapter. This feature was included in order to make DVI universal, as it allows either type of monitor (analog or digital) to be operated from the same connector.

The DVI connector on a device is therefore given one of three names, depending on which signals it implements:

– DVI-D (digital only)

– DVI-A (analog only)

– DVI-I (integrated, digital & analog)

The connector also includes the provision for a second data link for high-resolution displays, though many devices do not implement this. In those that do, the connector is sometimes referred to as DVI-DL (dual-link).

The long flat pin on a DVI-I connector is wider than the same pin on a DVI-D connector, so it is not possible to connect a male DVI-I to a female DVI-D by removing the 4 analog pins. It is possible, however, to connect a male DVI-D cable to a female DVI-I connector. Many flat-screen LCD monitors have only the DVI-D connection so that a DVI-D male to DVI-D male cable will suffice when connecting the monitor to a computer’s DVI-I female connector.

DVI is the only widespread video standard that includes analog and digital transmission options in the same connector.[citation needed] Competing standards are exclusively digital: these include a system using low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), known by its proprietary names FPD (for Flat-Panel Display) Link and FLATLINK; and its successors, the LVDS Display Interface (LDI) and OpenLDI.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • Amazon has launched two programs as part of an effort to give products a second life when they get returned to businesses that sell items on its platform or fail to get sold in the first place. Read the blog post here. 
  • The World Health Organization called for wealthy nations to hold off on COVID-vaccine booster shots as other countries struggle to get first doses.
  • U.S. toy sales rose 19% to $11 billion during the first half of 2021, as parents sought to entertain their kids during the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns and restrictions. Outdoor and sports toys have seen the largest boost over the last six months, reaching $2.9 billion in sales, up 11% from last year.
  • Target is rolling out a new education program that will cover the cost of associate and undergraduate degrees at select schools. It also will help pay for graduate school costs.
  • Firefighters battling dozens of blazes across the West braced for more hot, dry weather as dangerous conditions threatened to spark new wildfires in multiple states. The Dixie Fire blazed through Greenville, California, leaving behind only a few structures. The fire primarily burned through most of the downtown area and some surrounding homes in the small mountain community. 

CK Daily – 08.04.2021

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In This Issue:  Cisco 3750X Series 48 Port Switch | What is Google Tensor, and Why is Google Making its own Processor? | News to Start Your Day

Today, we owe a big “thank you” to Ruth Graves Wakefield for her creativity and curiosity to mix together cookie dough and chocolate chips in 1937. Because of Ruth, families hover around their ovens savoring the moment the timer dings so they can enjoy a delicious chocolate chip cookie. Happy National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, we hope you enjoy a delicious cookie and think of Ruth while you do! 

The CK Daily – Fear and Uncertainty

Guess what? It’s Wednesday! Wohoo! 

A few weeks ago on my road trip back home from Charlotte, NC my low tire pressure light came on. Once I noticed the light, I thought “no biggie, I’ll stop at a gas station and get air”. My husband and I stopped at the closest gas station, and he filled the tire. Easy Peasy. We hopped back on the interstate, and I could not help but look at my dash every 2 minutes to check to see if the pressure rose. Of course, 15 miles down the road and the tire pressure remained the same. **Insert a sense of fear and uncertainty** Here we are 3 hours away from home with a tire which doesn’t want to keep pressure.

After a few hours of uncertainty, I voiced my feelings to my husband who didn’t seem bothered by the faulty tire at all. After our conversation, I began to think of my ability to self-inflect fear in my mind instead of trusting God and my husband.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding”. This scripture reminds me to get out of my head and learn to put my faith in Him. Many times, I go through life thinking I can control all aspects of it, but in reality I am guided by the Lord and he will never let harm come my way.

I’ve told you this story as I am currently sitting in the tire shop getting a tire replacement. Turns out, there was a huge screw that was lodged in the tire causing a constant release of air. My family and I could have had a huge tire blow out on the interstate or gotten in accident, but instead God decided to “plug” the hole and allow us to get home safely in one piece.

I get it… it’s hard to trust when you feel like you are in control of your own destiny. Even though I may think I am in control of my life, I’m not. As you continue your week, I pray you find peace in knowing that all is well, and God is guiding you! 

Have a great week CK friends!

Shanyce 

Product Spotlights & Updates

We’ve made it to the middle of the week CK Family and today we’re taking a closer look at the Cisco 3750X Series 48 Port Switch.

This Cisco Catalyst 3750X series layer 3 switch comes with (48) 10/100/1000 PoE+ ports, a 435 Watt POE Budget, 64 MB of Flash, and 256 MB of RAM. This switch is stackable, has dual redundant fans, 4,000 VLAN ID’s, a network module slot, and a slot for an additional power supply.

In addition, Cisco 3750 X switches help maximize productivity by giving IT managers the tools needed to support enterprise applications and advanced traffic management. With an array of network modules and redundant power supply options available, these switches can be customized and scaled to support nearly any application!

What is Google Tensor, and Why is Google Making its Own Processor?

Today’s article is from How-To-Geek. You can find the full article here. 

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If you’ve shopped for a smartphone, you probably know the name “Qualcomm Snapdragon.” The vast majority of Android phones are powered by Qualcomm. But now Google has made its own processor and it’s called “Tensor.”

Google is joining the ranks of Apple—and Samsung, to a lesser extent—as a phone maker that also produces its own processor. Typically, companies such as OnePlus, LG, and even Samsung, manufacture phones that use processors from Qualcomm or Mediatek.

Apple has been making its own processors for iPhones since the very beginning. The company is even transitioning Mac computers to its own chips. This allows Apple to do things with iPhones that simply aren’t possible if they used other chips. It’s a very deep level of integration between hardware and software.

Google has historically been known for its software, but the Pixel phones and devices like the Google Nest Mini were the company’s first steps toward making its own physical devices. Now, it’s following in Apple’s steps and making an important component for those devices.

What Is Google Tensor?

In the most basic definition, Google Tensor is simply a “system-on-chip” (SoC) or what is commonly referred to as a “processor.” It’s the same thing as a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or an Apple A14 Bionic. These are all chips that power their respective devices.

“Power” is a very simplified purpose of a processor. The Google Tensor chip also contributes to photo and video processing, voice-to-speech translation, and much more. Tensor will allow devices to run more machine learning and AI tasks without burning up.

If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty specifications of the Google Tensor chip, we don’t know all the details at the time of writing. The chip is alleged to be 8-core, five-nanometer, and ARM-based. According to 9to5Google, it was co-developed with Samsung.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • More countries are pushing to produce their own semiconductor chips, which are in short supply globally. Memory chips are crucial for making a wide range of products. They are in smartphones, gaming consoles like PlayStation 5s, household appliances like fridges and washing machines, alarm clocks, and even cars. Some reports say the chip shortage may last until 2023.
  • The CDC issued a new federal eviction moratorium on Tuesday. The eviction ban will be targeted at areas of the country experiencing high levels of coronavirus infections and will last for 60 days until Oct. 3. The protection could cover around 90% of renters.
  • New York City will require proof of vaccination to dine inside restaurants, go to gyms, and participate in other public indoor activities.
  • Microsoft Teams is working on rolling out a live transcription of every meeting held in Teams. Teams users will have a full transcript as well as a full recording of all of their meetings so they won’t miss anything.
  • Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos is no longer the richest man in the world. His net worth tumbled $13.9 billion in one day when Amazon’s stock price fell 7% last week after the company reported second-quarter growth that was below forecasts.

CK Daily – 08.03.2021

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In This Issue:  Keystone Wall Plate, 1 Port, White | Do you Need the Latest Server? | News to Start Your Day

Happy Tuesday & Happy Watermelon Day! It’s been pretty hot out lately and since watermelon is 92% water, it’s pretty satisfying in the summer heat. Is anyone else reminded of fun summer picnics and fairs when they take a bite of some delicious watermelon? 

The CK Daily – Bring on the Fall Weather

Good morning and happy Tuesday! Can you believe we have already made it to August?!

It’s wild how fast time moves these days. It was oppressively hot here last week and I think that has just pushed me over the edge from enjoying Summer to wishing it was Fall! Although we are still very much in the dog days of summer around here, I am certainly excited that we’ve made it to August! We are now officially 1 month away from college football (Go Dawgs!) and hopefully about a month away from a little relief in the temperatures!

It does tend to stay pretty warm here even late into the Summer, but I’d be thrilled to at least get some cool mornings! I love living in a part of the country where we get a change of seasons. What about you? Are you looking forward to Fall as well?

Rebecca

Product Spotlights & Updates

Happy Tuesday! Today we’re taking a look at one of our Keystone Wall Plates, KEYPLT-1-WH! If you’re looking to create permanent video, voice or data outlets using F, BNC, RCA, S-Video and fiber connections this is perfect for just that!

Keystone plates offer maximum versatility because you can add, reduce or simply change the connections needed on the plate. They offer the best way to install the variety of today’s wiring and cabling. This is the perfect solution for terminating your in-wall wiring.

Grab one this week for 25% off!

Do you Need the Latest Server? – CK Learning Center

Data centers aren’t cheap. Just the cost of power requirements for keeping your equipment running can be staggering. Adding the cost of new servers can often feel like too much. If you have high demands and a tight budget, you need a way to get more power and performance for every dollar spent. For most applications, the easiest way to do this is to look at refurbished servers and parts.

The Iterative Cycle of Technology

Computer hardware is an interesting market. Over time, consumers tend to get more value for each dollar spent, but used goods still drop in price like a used car. It all boils down to the iterative process of developing technology. Every year, newer and better parts are released, but they rarely provide dramatic improvements over the previous generation. Here’s an easy example. The first 3.0 GHz processor was the Pentium 4 released in 2003. Today, many servers are running 3.0 GHz processors. Even at the highest end, you’re looking at 5.0 GHz clock speeds. That’s an improvement of 67 percent in 15 years. That means on average, computer components are gaining less than five-percent performance every year.

Now, there is more to a processor than just the clock speed, but overall the rate holds true. Last year’s processor can do all of the same work as this year’s. It’s only every several years that a real breakthrough happens.

Server Lifespan

So, buying refurbished lets you save money and have parts that are comparable to something brand new, but performance isn’t the only consideration. Servers work hard, and you need something that will last. Well, there’s good news on that front too. Most high-end servers are built to last 5 to 10 years. Despite that, elite data centers (like Google) like to rotate their equipment on a cycle of two to three years. You can buy a refurbished server with seven or more years left on its shelf life that can still hang with brand new equipment.

Modular Technology

If you were just buying refurbished servers as is, you could save a lot of money without sacrificing performance, but the modular nature of servers gives you a lot more opportunity. Data centers have to adapt and adjust hardware on a daily basis. This has led to server design that is easily tweaked and customized. This gives you the freedom to upgrade components instead of entire servers. That can extend the life, value and performance of your refurbished equipment. Best of all, those modular parts can also be refurbished.

In truth, there are few applications that require a brand-new server. Even the most stressed and taxed data centers on the planet are running equipment that is an average of two to three years old. If your demands are any less than this, you can maximize your return on investment by purchasing refurbished.

You can read this article from the CK Learning Center here.

Today’s News to Start Your Day:

  • Google announced it will build its own smartphone processor, called Google Tensor, that will power its new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones this fall. Google will no longer use Qualcomm. 
  • Amazon launched a smart soap dispenser on its site that has lights on the top that slowly count down 20 seconds, so you know if you’ve washed your hands for the CDC-recommended minimum amount of time.
  • The United States has hit the Biden administration’s goal of administering at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose to 70 percent of American adults. 
  • Western Europe and China’s Henan province — a key transport hub and home to several major businesses — are grappling with the aftermath of devastating floods. The disasters have damaged railways used for the delivery of goods and raw materials in both regions. This may result in fewer discounts for the peak upcoming online shopping season.
  • Legacy beer brands like Bud Light and Corona are trying to position their hard seltzer to edge out the category’s first movers, White Claw and Truly. Both brewers launched hard seltzers in early 2020. By splashing their seltzer cans with the familiar Corona and Bud Light names, Constellation and AB InBev are appealing to consumers who have an established relationship — or at least knowledge of — their products, building on years of marketing their beers.