IBM has agreed to acquire BLADE Network Technologies, a start-up based in Santa Clara, California, for an undisclosed sum.
BLADE provides blade server and top-of-rack switches, as well as software to virtualize and manage cloud computing and other workloads. The company has pursued the “switch on a blade” concept and has shipped over 9 million ports to date. BLADE has also developed switching virtualization software for cloud computing environments. This allows servers to more closely integrate with the network so that clients can deploy thousands of virtual machines to run large application workloads in the cloud and reduce complexity through simplified management.
IBM said the acquisition builds on its networking capabilities. IBM and BLADE have worked together since 2002, resulting in thousands of joint clients. In fact, over 50 percent of IBM System x BladeCenters currently attach to or use BLADE products.
This year, IBM introduced a full line-up of new, workload-optimized systems that incorporate innovation at each level — from microprocessors and firmware software to middleware and hardware.
“BLADE will help IBM better integrate networks with its systems, optimizing them for workloads that require high-speed and low-latency performance such as cloud computing and business analytics. For example, faster data transport enables faster decisions important for analytics workloads,” said Brian Truskowski, General Manager, IBM System Storage and Networking. “BLADE will increase IBM’s System Networking development, sales, support, skills and awareness and help IBM build smarter systems that are optimized for client requirements.”
“BLADE views this as a great opportunity to continue working with the ecosystem of technology providers that have helped make our company successful while allowing our technology to become a more central part of the data center,” said Vikram Mehta, CEO of BLADE. “Our very talented and hard working people are focused on building innovative system networking solutions, making BLADE an ideal fit to help IBM execute on its strategy to build smarter systems that deliver more value to clients around the world.”http://www.ibm.com
http://www.bladenetwork.net
- BLADE Network Technologies was established in 2006 as a spin out of Nortel’s Blade Server Switch Business Unit (BSSBU)/ Major investors in BLADE include NEC, Juniper Networks, and Garnett & Helfrich Capital.
- BLADE has previously disclosed OEM relationships with Hewlett Packard, IBM and NEC.
