HP enhances NFV portfolio by purchasing ConteXtream

HP has acquired startup ConteXtream, a deal that will enhance its play in the software-defined networking (SDN) and network-functions virtualization (NFV) software space.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

ConteXtream has traditionally pursued deals with service providers, which are using its software in data centers and providing centralized network management.

HP's deal is just one of several acquisitions vendors are making in the SDN space, including Ciena's proposed deal for Cyan and Cisco buying both Embrane and Tail-f.

HP said in a blog post that "ConteXtream's open SDN controller platform complements HP's NFV expertise and telecommunications and IT experience." 

ConteXtream was founded 2007 and is based in Mountain View, Calif.

Upon completion of the deal, ConteXtream co-founder and CEO Nachman Shelef will continue leading the team and will report to Saar Gillai, senior vice president and general manager of HP's network functions virtualization unit, according to HP's statement on the deal.

HP's purchase of ConteXtream makes sense on a number of levels.

ConteXtream is currently one of HP's OpenNFV partners. With its OpenNFV program, HP supports multiple SDN controller technologies and the OpenDaylight project. In order to advance the development of the OpenDaylight project, HP is significantly increasing its commitment to OpenDaylight SDN.

Creating an open environment for service providers to adopt SDN and NFV has been a key focus for HP. During the recent Genband Perspectives 15 conference, Werner Schaefer, VP of NFV for HP, said that service providers want to have flexibility in how they deploy software and services in their networks.

"They feel like today that with a lot of the partners that they worked with for the last few decades, they are at the mercy of their update cycles and the technology was extremely hard to change," Schaefer said.

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