Juniper Enters Virtual Networking Arena

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Switch and router maker Juniper Networks follows the likes of Oracle and VMware and buys into software-defined networking, snapping up startup Contrail Systems reportedly for $176 million. 

Juniper ContrailThe Contrail acquisition is interesting, since not much is known about its actual product. Founded in early 2012, Contrail ranks include networking and software platform experts from Google, Juniper, Cisco and Aruba Networks, with expertise lying in Layer 3 virtual private networking and multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). 

Back in July 2012 the $1.26 billion acquisition of Nicira by VMware led to Contrail earning $10m in funding from Kholsa Ventures.

The company works on an "open, standards-based software solution" with an approach that "contrasts sharply with other 'academic' SDN solutions that are not enterprise ready, do not scale or work only with specific hypervisors."

Juniper remarks "as a strategic investor earlier this year, we recognized the inherent advantages of Contrail Systems’ architectural approach and we are excited to take this next step to acquire and combine Contrail Systems into our team."

Go Juniper Networks to Acquire Contrail Systems