Wireless LAN technology provider Aerohive has acquired Pareto Networks, a cloud-based networking vendor. Aerohive said it will immediately integrate Pareto's routing, virtual private network (VPN) and cloud-services technology into its HiveOS operating system and HiveManager Online cloud-services platform. The company said it will begin to deliver new features and platforms in the second quarter of 2011.
According to Aerohive, its solutions will address the cost, operational-complexity and survivability requirements of mid-size enterprises and highly distributed branch/teleworker networks.
Aerohive explains that its approach to WiFi in the cloud, "is unique, as failures in the WAN link, or the cloud, do not impact the ongoing operation of the network. This is because no data goes to the cloud and no control or policy enforcemt functions (RF optimization, channel selection, load balancing, authentication, roaming and QoS) are carried out in the cloud."
David Flynn, chief executive officer of Aerohive, said the acquisition "offers a unique opportunity to accelerate our entry into the broader cloud-based networking space and establish an immediate leadership position. Pareto was the first to market with a cloud-based router solution, designed to eliminate the cost and complexity of large, highly distributed branch/teleworker networks. Adding this technology and talent to Aerohive's existing expertise in cloud-based WiFi network management will enable Aerohive to reduce the cost and complexity of mid-size enterprises, branch and micro-branch networks in the same way it has for enterprise WiFi."
Yankee Group's senior vice president and distinguished research fellow Zeus Kerravala added, "Cloud-based networking is going to become a significant trend in the years to come because of its ability to reduce the complexity and operational cost of networking, for mid-market and distributed enterprises. This is a good move for Aerohive as it leverages their existing cloud-based WiFi footprint and capitalizes on Pareto's early market entry and cloud networking technology."