Accelerating the delivery of Web content, Cisco Systems has announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Netiverse.
Netiverse is a US-based provider of content acceleration technology that enhances the performance and functionality of networking devices.
This acquisition supports Cisco's "New World" strategy to offer its customers a broad portfolio of content networking solutions for the delivery of Web content.
"This announcement is about enhancing content-aware networking for enterprises and service providers," said Brendan Leitch, senior consulting engineer at Cisco Australia.
Content-aware switching means packets of information is not simply switched based on the destination IP address, Leitch said. The technology makes intelligent decisions about where the content is directed, depending on a host of factors, including server load, network load, customer location and server location.
Under the terms of the agreement, Cisco common stock worth an aggregate value of about $US210 million will be exchanged for all outstanding shares and options of Netiverse. Cisco currently holds a minority stake of 20 per cent in Netiverse.
Netiverse's technology was developed specifically for use across multiple product lines and will be integrated into Cisco's existing content networking solutions.
The technology will be brought to the Australian market within 12 months, Leitch said. Pricing is unavailable at this time.