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Cisco said it would acquire Stockholm-based Tail-f Systems to add multi-vendor orchestration technology for physical and virtual networks—not simply to buy an SDN company. Cisco announced approximately $175 million in cash and retention-based incentives for all Tail-f shares; it did not publish a cash-only figure or a breakdown of those incentives.
What Cisco bought
Tail-f Systems was a privately held company headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Cisco described it as a provider of multi-vendor orchestration for traditional and virtualized networks. Its technology was intended to help service providers provision and manage network services across equipment and virtual functions from different vendors. Cisco’s June 17, 2014 announcement set out that rationale.
Contemporaneous coverage described Tail-f’s Network Control System (NCS) as orchestration server software used to provision services and network devices. Data Center Knowledge reported that Tail-f listed AT&T and Deutsche Telekom as customers with SDN initiatives underway; that is a detail attributed to the 2014 report, not independent confirmation from those customers. Data Center Knowledge’s report provides that contemporaneous context.
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Cisco’s stated strategic goal was to support service-provider cloud and virtualization offerings by automating provisioning and management across physical and virtual networks. It pointed to tasks such as setting up Layer 2 or Layer 3 VPNs and enabling next-generation network function virtualization (NFV) and network programmability.
#1 Best Overall
- SWITCH PORTS: 16 -Port 10/100/1000
- SIMPLE: Plug-and-play without a need for IT know-how or support.
- FLEXIBLE: Extensive portfolio provides ultimate flexibility from 5 to 24 ports and PoE combinations
- PERFORMANCE: Gigabit Ethernet and integrated quality-of-service (QoS) intelligence optimize delay-sensitive services and improve overall network performance.
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Elegant and compact design, ideal for installation outside of wiring closet such as retail stores, open plan offices, and classrooms
In the acquisition announcement, Cisco senior vice president of Corporate Development Hilton Romanski said the technology would extend Cisco’s work in NFV and help providers reduce operating costs and the time needed to deploy services. Those were Cisco’s projected benefits and rationale for the deal, not measured proof of savings achieved after the acquisition.
What the $175 million figure includes
Cisco announced consideration of approximately $175 million in cash and retention-based incentives in exchange for all Tail-f shares. The figure should not be described as $175 million in cash alone: Cisco did not disclose a separate cash-only amount or explain how the consideration was divided between cash and retention incentives. Cisco’s announcement is the source for the transaction terms.
Rank #2
- SWITCH PORTS: 5 -Port 10/100/1000
- SIMPLE: Plug-and-play without a need for IT know-how or support.
- FLEXIBLE: Extensive portfolio provides ultimate flexibility from 5 to 24 ports and PoE combinations
- PERFORMANCE: Gigabit Ethernet and integrated quality-of-service (QoS) intelligence optimize delay-sensitive services and improve overall network performance.
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: Elegant and compact design, ideal for installation outside of wiring closet such as retail stores, open plan offices, and classrooms
Announcement and completion dates
Cisco announced its intent to acquire Tail-f on June 17, 2014. The public completion announcement is dated July 9, 2014, while Cisco’s 2014 Form 10-K records the acquisition’s completion date as July 8, 2014. These dates come from different Cisco sources: the dated news release reports the public announcement, and the SEC filing records the completion date. Cisco’s July 9 completion release and Cisco’s 2014 Form 10-K document the distinction.
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Cisco’s current acquisition-support page says Tail-f technology has been integrated and enhanced in Cisco Crosswork Network Services Orchestrator. That statement identifies a later product destination; it does not establish current feature details, pricing, or licensing terms. Cisco’s Tail-f acquisition page gives the integration status.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- GIGABIT ETHERNET PORTS: Features 5 x 1.0Gbps Ethernet ports for high-speed connectivity. Auto-negotiating ports detect the optimal speed for connected devices and work with existing Cat5e or Cat6 Ethernet cables.
- PLUG-AND-PLAY UNMANAGED NETWORK SWITCH: Simple plug-and-play setup with no software to install or configuration required.
- FLEXIBLE MOUNTING OPTIONS: Compact metal design supports desktop or wall-mount placement for versatile installation.
- SILENT & ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPERATION: Fanless design ensures silent performance, while IEEE 802.3az Energy Efficient Ethernet reduces power consumption without compromising high-speed network performance.
- REGIONAL COMPATIBILITY: Made for use in U.S. & CA only
Rank #4
- 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝟮.𝟱 𝗚𝗯𝗽𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿-𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 5× 2.5-Gigabit ports unlock the highest performance of your Multi-Gig bandwidth and devices, and provide up to 25 Gbps of switching capacity.
- 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼-𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Auto-negotiation intelligently senses the link speeds and adjusts between 3-speeds (100Mb/1G/2.5G) for compatibility and optimal performance for all your devices, including 2.5G WiFi 6 AP, 2.5G NAS, 2.5G PCIe Adapter, 2.5G Server, gaming computer, 4K video, and more.
- 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀: Built for LAN parties, home entertainment, small and home offices, and instant transfer for workstations.
- 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗹𝗲-𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴: Instantly upgrade to 2.5 Gbps without the need to upgrade to Cat6 wiring, reducing wiring costs and hassle. *
- 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Industry-leading fanless design ensures silent operation, ideal for any home or business.
Rank #3
- Cisco Catalyst 2960X-48LPS-L Ethernet Switch - 48 Ports - Manageable - 48 x POE - 5 x Expansion Slots - 10/100/1000Base-T - PoE Ports - Rack-mountable
- Cisco Catalyst 2960X-48LPS-L Ethernet Switch
- 48 Ports - Manageable - 48 x POE - 5 x Expansion Slots - 10/100/1000Base-T - PoE Ports - Rack-mountable
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