The deal should now be finalized: Aruba Networks QUOTE NASDAQ:ARUN is buying the entire line of wireless security products made by Network Chemistry. The latter plans to become an IT intelligence business.
“It’s a niche if you focus on IDS [intrusion detection systems] as a standalone,” says Michael Tennefoss, the head of strategic marketing at Aruba. “So Network Chemistry is moving out of that area…it’s a tough play, it’s tough to be a lone supplier, independent of the network infrastructure.”
The buyout will include the RFprotect line of products, including RF protect Mobile for network designers, the RFprotect Endpoint laptop agent software that handles policy enforcement, and the RFprotect Distributed system with its hardware sensors and central security engine. Also thrown in is the BlueScanner vulnerability assessment tool for protecting against Bluetooth-based attacks on a network.
“For us, it makes great sense, it lets us take market leading solutions and enhance our own IDS,” says Tennefoss. “Their RFprotect line will enhance our current offerings.”
Aruba plans to support the entire Network Chemistry customer base that exists, selling it separately while at the same time integrating the technology with the Aruba software. “Our goal is to make sure there’s an uninterrupted supply to customers, and to continue to support the products,” says Tennefoss. All the product names will remain in place for the foreseeable future, to minimize any customer confusion.
The Network Chemistry engineering team will migrate to Aruba – the two companies are close, with the engineers moving from Palo Alto, California, offices to Aruba’s offices in Sunnyvale.