Expert Insights and Perspectives

Stay Current and Get Ahead! An AFCOM membership grants you access to a continuously expanding Learning Center full of data center and IT infrastructure literature as well as the latest technology trends, industry standards, and best practices. With the keyword search below or using the navigation in the right rail, you can easily find the article or articles most relevant to your specific need. Articles in the Learning Center were written by subject matter experts with deep experience and time-tested knowledge about data center and IT infrastructure practices, concepts, policies and processes. Many of these articles originally appeared in the "Inside the Box" newsletter, in previous issues of Data Center Management magazine or written exclusively for the Learning Center.

The articles are categorized using the following main topics including:
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  • Power, Cooling & Efficiency
  • As a Service
  • IT
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Six Considerations When Planning Network Upgrades

Posted on 11/18/2019
The key to minimizing total long-term cost is to consider both the fiber cable infrastructure and optical transceivers together. With wise planning, especially prior to upgrading to 40 Gb or 100 Gb, data center operators can avoid costly maintenance

Taking a Unified Approach to IT Service and Asset Management

Posted on 11/11/2019
Here are five ways a unified ITSM and ITAM solution can help an enterprise IT organization work better.

Team AFCOM Visits Potomac

Posted on 11/11/2019
Two new AFCOM staffers recently attended a Potomac chapter meeting and welcomed new board members.

Tackle Scariest Cybercrime Tricks with Adaptive, Layered Security (Part 2)

Posted on 11/11/2019
While there aren’t any silver bullet solutions available to combat today’s cyberwarfare tactics, a layered and adaptive security approach can help provide the protection you need, when you need it.

Cloud Misunderstandings: What You Can and Can't See

Posted on 10/29/2019
Even when an entire environment is virtualized, it only facilitates the monitoring of the owned network, but what about the cloud provider? Some vendors have begun providing cloud-focused solutions—it’s already happening, and not a minute too soon.

Are There Real AI-Enhanced DCIM Tools You Can Use Today?

Posted on 10/29/2019
Many vendors over the years have muddled analytics and AI together. Will something genuinely intelligent eventually emerge?

Checklist: Moving to a Carrier Hotel

Posted on 10/22/2019
If you are considering a carrier hotel, here are some factors to keep in mind as part of your decision-making process.

Mapping Your Way to Migration Success with AIOps Auto Discovery

Posted on 10/22/2019
Powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, AIOps uses the volumes of log and performance data generated by systems, services and applications to monitor assets and gain visibility into their relationships.

The Impact of Deep Learning/AI on Data Center Design

Posted on 10/14/2019
Today, deep learning uses numerical techniques based on the architecture of the brain to both learn skills and find information you wouldn’t normally see.

Future-proofing Your IT Environment

Posted on 10/14/2019
Future-proofing is about knowing products die. It’s also about making sure those products and programs work as far into the future as possible.