Red Hat Buys Network Software Firm

Red Hat Inc. Wednesday bought embedded network software developer WireSpeed Communications Corp. in a $33.3 million stock deal.


Red Hat , which inked the deal to bolster its embedded
products offerings, will issue 1.5 million shares of common stock in
exchange for all of the outstanding securities of WireSpeed. The deal is
expected to be completed by July 31, 2000.


WireSpeed’s software helps businesses integrate networking with embedded versions of all popular operating systems, including Linux and Windows NT. WireSpeed’s clients include semiconductor,
Internet device and industrial control leaders, including companies like Hewlett-Packard Co. WireSpeed
will become part of Red Hat’s Client Services Group, which offers open
source development services in embedded, networked and post-PC devices.


Matthew Szulik, president and chief executive officer of Red Hat Inc., said
Wirespeed’s expertise in telecommunications and networking for embedded
systems will fortify Red Hat’s position as a market leader for Open Source
Internet Infrastructure solutions


International Data Corp. research states that
paid Linux shipments grew faster than any other server operating system over
the past two years.


Netcraft Inc. states that as of May
2000, 36 percent of all public Web sites run on
Linux-based operating systems.


In April, Red Hat purchased software firm Bluecurve for $37.7 million. Red
Hat uses the firm’s performance-management software for ca Web-based service
that helps companies build and manage Internet systems.

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