HP, this week announced its intention to acquire ConteXtream, a Software Defined Networking (SDN) & Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) startup which focuses on service providers market to deploy its software into data centers and centralize management of networks. Upon the completion of the transaction, ConteXtream will become part of HP’s Communications Solutions Business, where ConteXtream’s current CEO, Chairman, and co-founder Nachman Shelef will continue to lead the ConteXtream business within HP and will report to Saar Gillai, senior vice president and general manager of HP’s network function virtualization unit.
Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, ConteXtream offers solutions that allow service providers to create a more flexible and programmable network through an SDN/NFV model. ConteXtream’s open SDN controller platform complements HP’s NFV expertise and telecommunications and IT experience. The company has raised a total of $29 million in capital over the years and boasts Comcast and Verizon as part of its investors.
Saar Gillai in his blog post wrote that, "This acquisition will further strengthen HP’s leadership in the fast-growing NFV market, which some analysts expect to grow to $11B by 2018. ConteXtream’s SDN controller platform complements HP OpenNFV solutions and aligns with NFV’s evolution as an open source-driven architecture. With this acquisition, HP will increase its involvement in and contribute key ConteXtream capabilities to the OpenDaylight community and accelerate delivery of an open source-based, carrier-grade SDN controller."