Extreme Networks has acquired the software assets of Soapstone Networks. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The transaction transfers ownership of the Soapstone Networks software control plane and service aware provisioning system to Extreme Networks, enabling Extreme Networks to simplify the service provider's job of provisioning and maintaining Ethernet services for their subscribers. The software serves as a foundation for provisioning and service assurance for carrier Ethernet networks. Extreme Networks plans to integrate the software into its EPICenter Network Management System, providing a service level view, provisioning and management of carrier Ethernet networks and protocols including Provider Bridging (PB), Provider Backbone Bridging (PBB), Provider Backbone Bridging with Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE), Ethernet Access Protection Switching (EAPS) and Virtual Private Line (VPLS).
"The addition of the software assets from Soapstone Networks into the Extreme Networks intellectual property portfolio continues our commitment to carrier Ethernet," said Glenn Weinberg, Vice President and General Manager, Extreme Networks Software Business Unit. "The unique provisioning and service aware capabilities of the Soapstone Networks software will enable Extreme Networks to deliver a more complete, extensible solution to carrier Ethernet service providers."http://www.extremenetworks.com
http://www.soapstonenetworks.com
- Late last month, the stockholders of Soapstone Networks voted to approve the liquidation and dissolution of the company. In connection with the approval of the company's Plan of Liquidation, the company's Board of Directors issued an extraordinary cash dividend of $3.75 per share of the company's common stock. A certificate of dissolution has been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State. Soapstone Networks, which was the company created when Avici Systems decided to exit the core router business, developed control plane software to help automate service provider networks. One of its main capabilities was PBB-TE module for the PNC which includes the dynamic provisioning, monitoring and repair of services across a multi-vendor Carrier Ethernet network as well as network operations support.
