F5 To Buy Rival Swan Labs

Earlier this year Juniper Networks jumped into the fray with its acquisitions of Peribit Networks and Redline Networks, Cisco Systems added FineGround to its stable and Citrix Systems made a similar play by snapping up NetScaler.

The Swan Labs acquisition, slated to close next quarter, adds the vendor&s WAN optimization and acceleration appliances –- including technology for branch offices and application-specific optimization -- to F5&s traffic management portfolio.

The cash transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including acceptance of employment with F5 by certain Swan Labs employees, according to a statement from F5, Seattle, Wash.

Shares of F5 closed up 39 cents at $42.25 Tuesday following the announcement. Swan Labs, San Jose, Calif., is privately held.