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Your Complete Guide to IT
Infrastructure Optimization

The backbone of every modern business is its IT infrastructure, with the current data and AI-driven environment necessitating a system that’s strong, efficient, and ready to scale. From hardware and networking components to data management, connectivity standards, and emerging optical technologies, every piece of the IT puzzle impacts uptime, speed, cost, and security. In this guide, our experts at Axiom have collected the most important industry trends and insights. From building scalable infrastructures and navigating market shifts, to choosing the right cabling, optical modules, and networking protocols, equipping you with the knowledge to optimize performance, reduce costs, and future-proof your IT environment for the demands of AI, cloud, and high-performance computing.

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What is IT infrastructure?
How to optimize IT infrastructures:

IT infrastructure encompasses the hardware, software, networking, and data management systems that support a business’s technology operations. Modern infrastructures have evolved from purely on-premises setups to hybrid models that blend physical equipment with cloud services, balancing flexibility and control. Core components of your IT infrastructure include servers, devices, networking gear, operating systems, applications, and secure data storage. Axiom helps businesses design and optimize scalable IT infrastructures with affordable, OEM-equivalent hardware and services that support smooth, vendor lock-in–free operations at scale.

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Navigating the DDR4
price surge

In May 2025, DDR4 memory prices spiked due to production cuts from major manufacturers and US-China trade tensions, with 8GB modules up 56% and 16GB up 45%. As the market shifts toward DDR5, supply shortages are straining businesses that still rely on DDR4. Axiom offers OEM-alternative DDR4 memory that’s fully compatible with major brands, rigorously tested, and free from OEM markups, helping businesses to maintain performance and extend the life of their existing systems despite rising prices and limited supply.

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Axiom QDD-400G-ER4 transceivers are compatible with Juniper switches

Axiom is pleased to announce that our QDD-400G-ER4 40km optical transceiver is now fully compatible with Juniper’s QFX5240-64QD 400G data center switch. Designed for long-reach, high-capacity transmission, the QDD-400G-ER4 supports up to 40km over single-mode fiber, complies with QSFP-DD MSA and 400GBASE-ER4 standards, and offers low power consumption (10W). After extensive testing, it delivers seamless plug-and-play integration with Juniper hardware, enabling cost-effective, high-performance 400G connectivity for hyperscale and enterprise environments.

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Choosing the right networking cable for enterprise uptime and speed

Picking a suitable networking cable is key to ensuring enterprise speed and uptime for your entire organization. Network cables come in various types, coaxial, twisted pair and fiber, each suited for different distances, speeds, and environments. Performance is influenced by factors like shielding, classification, communication protocols, and connector types. Axiom provides a full range of customizable copper and fiber cables, TAA-compliant options, and fast delivery through North American fulfillment centers, helping businesses meet performance needs with flexibility and speed.

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DSP vs LPO
Technologies

LPO (Linear Pluggable Optics) and LRO (Linear Receiver Optics) are new optical transceiver technologies designed to cut data center power use by up to 40% by removing the onboard Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and shifting signal processing to the host system. LPO removes the DSP entirely, while LRO keeps it only on the transmit side, reducing heat, increasing port density, and lowering cooling needs. However, both require tight integration with host ASICs for signal conditioning and are more sensitive to fiber issues, making DSP-based optics better for long-haul links. As standardization progresses, Axiom’s LPO/LRO solutions offer a cost-effective, energy-efficient alternative for next-gen data centers.

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InfiniBand vs Ethernet

InfiniBand and Ethernet are two key network standards for AI data centers, where network delays can leave costly GPUs idle. Ethernet is widely used, versatile, and easier to manage, while InfiniBand offers higher throughput, ultra-low latency lossless data transfer, and efficient parallel processing. This provides each solution with distinct advantages for different use cases; InfiniBand excels in high-performance computing and AI, while Ethernet remains strong for broader network environments. Axiom supports both with high-speed transceivers, cables, and optics optimized for AI-scale performance and efficiency.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Axiom?

Axiom, The OEM Alternative®, is a leading provider of customer-focused IT computing memory, storage and networking connectivity upgrades and third-party maintenance solutions. Since 1995, Axiom has been the trusted partner to solution providers, VARs and distributors from coast to coast and throughout North America and beyond. With an experienced team driven by innovative management, Axiom delivers the highest level of products that are 100% guaranteed compatible and comply with all industry standards. Uniquely positioned through highly reliable computing and stringent manufacturing and testing, Axiom arms solutions providers, VARs and their end users with budget-friendly reliability across industries from healthcare to government, SMB to Fortune 500 and everything in between.

What value does Axiom offer as THE OEM Alternative®?

As THE OEM Alternative®, Axiom offers OEM-equivalent or superior performance with significant cost savings. Customers can save up to 88% on products, easing IT budget concerns and improving overall spending. Axiom is a leader in third-party hardware upgrade solutions in the corporate, SMB, government and education markets.

What kinds of products and solutions does Axiom offer?

Axiom’s full hardware product lineup includes enterprise and consumer-grade memory, network solutions such as fiber optic and copper transceivers/cables, enterprise and client-grade SSDs/HDDs, IT power accessories, flash products, media converters and more. Axiom also offers a service-based hardware maintenance solution, Axiom Maintenance Services, as well as a cloud-based contract management tool, Cover3ITTM.

Are Axiom products compatible with OEM hardware/systems?

Axiom’s system-specific products are fully compatible with OEM-based systems from a variety of brands such as Cisco, Dell, HPE, IBM, Apple and more. All Axiom products are compliant with industry standards and have been thoroughly tested to ensure seamless integration into OEM-based systems.

Will Axiom products impact performance of my system?

Axiom products are designed and manufactured using only premium components. Thoroughly tested by our team of highly experienced engineers and technicians from around the world, Axiom solutions deliver OEM equivalent or better performance.

What kind of warranty coverage does Axiom offer?

Axiom offers limited lifetime warranties for memory and network products. Axiom also offers extended warranties for a variety of storage products as well as computer accessories. For more information on warranties and/or to submit a warranty claim: click here

Do any Axiom products void the manufacturer warranty?

Axiom’s solutions do not void any OEM system warranty, as reinforced by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

How do I find a system part?

With our user-friendly part number system, customers can now easily pinpoint the right system parts and upgrade their systems with greater convenience. Users can type the brand name, model or OEM part number in our configurator to pull up a list of relevant results. Customers can also search by brand manufacturer to pull up a list of parts from a specific brand. To use the configurator: click here

How do I find the part number of an OEM alternative solution?

In our part number system, most OEM alternative parts are labeled as the OEM part number with an “AX” denotation.

Do you have TAA compliant solutions?

Yes, Axiom memory, network and storage solutions adhere to the standards set forth by the federal Trade Agreements Act (TAA).

What is third-party maintenance?

Third-party maintenance is hardware support that is independent of the OEM’s support. Axiom’s signature third-party maintenance solution, Axiom Maintenance Services (AMS), provides around-the-clock IT maintenance to keep your IT systems up and running 24/7. While OEMs typically do not offer extended hardware support, AMS provides support for EOL, EOSL and post-warranty hardware, extending hardware product lifecycles and protecting both new and legacy IT equipment. To learn more about AMS: click here

Where to buy Axiom products?

Axiom products are distributed via resellers and VARs. For more information on how to acquire Axiom solutions for your business: click here For resellers or VARs looking to partner with Axiom: click here

Why does Axiom not sell direct to consumers?

With a 100% B2B model focused on delivering enterprise solutions, Axiom values the strong relationships and trust we maintain with all of our great channel partners, working together to deliver the right solutions for your business needs.

How to track my package?

Customers can utilize our tracking system to keep track of shipments: click here

Have a question that is not covered in this FAQ?

Contact our team! We’d be happy to assist you. Visit our contact page to send an email or find our phone number: click here

Contact Us

Questions about compatibility, system performance, or AI-ready data-center design?

Call (888) 658-3326 or send us a message below.
An Axiom team member will respond shortly.