Inktomi (INKT) said the acquisition will expand the capabilities of its Traffic Server software by providing companies with one solution to manage Internet content distribution.

Inktomi said the acquisition will also give it technologies that will help it capitalize on the growing enterprise software market which it plans to enter later this year.

David Peterschmidt, Inktomi president and chief executive officer, said the purchase will help Inktomi make Traffic Server one of the most commonly used software packages on the Internet.

"We see this software layer generating new products and value-added services to provide Internet users with smarter network applications for a range of uses both today and in the future," he said.

The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2000.