Intel to buy Ethernet switch chipmaker Barefoot Networks
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) says it has agreed to acquire Santa Clara based Barefoot Networks, which makes programmable Ethernet switch silicon and software for data center network applications. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Barefoot CEO Dr. Craig Barratt is expected to join Intel, along with the rest of his team, when the acquisition closes, a milestone Intel expects to reach in the third quarter of this year.
According to Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Center Group at Intel, bringing Barefoot aboard will improve Intel’s expertise in cloud network architectures, P4-programmable high-speed data paths, switch silicon development, P4 compilers, driver software, network telemetry, and computational networking. Shenoy said Intel will continue to support Barefoot’s current customer base.
Barefoot offers the Tofino line of programmable Ethernet switch chips, based on the company’s Protocol Independent Switch Architecture (PISA). It also offers Deep Insight, a packet analysis capability for network performance evaluation. Its chips have been used in a variety of open network initiatives and demonstrations, including AT&T’s white box switch field trials and the ONF Stratum reference platform (see “AT&T field trials open source white box switches” and “ONF targets Stratum open source reference platform at white box switch support”). The company also is a member of the OSFP and CWDM8 multisource agreements (MSAs).
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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