Acquisition to boost packet-processing solutions

Integrated Device Technology is to acquire Solidum Systems, a leading provider of classification and content inspection processing solutions.

Integrated Device Technology is to acquire Solidum Systems, a leading provider of classification and content inspection processing solutions.

Solidum brings technology expertise and intellectual property that is complementary to IDT's packet-processing strategy.

Their products work in conjunction with IDT's network search engines and bolster IDT's ability to deliver deep packet classification and more intelligent packet-processing solutions.

Pending Solidum shareholder and regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to close within a month.

The financial terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

"Packet processing is a vital element in delivering differentiated network services, and IDT believes deep packet inspection and complex classification will play a key role in accelerating intelligent packet processing in future networking equipment", said Greg Lang, IDT's President and CEO-elect.

"This acquisition allows us to strengthen our packet-processing offering and extend our existing partnership with Solidum.

Their deep packet classification technology is synergistic with our existing search engine capabilities and positions IDT to not only accelerate, but also add more intelligence to packet processing".

As the industry leader of network search engines, IDT accelerates packet processing in applications requiring line rates up to OC-192, such as core, metro, and access routers and Layer 3-7 switches.

IDT's product portfolio includes a pin- and software-compatible family of network search engines for ASIC-based designs and a family of network search engines that seamlessly interface to network processors from leading NPU vendors including those from Intel and AMCC.

These glue-less devices aid in classification and offload the NPU, allowing for differentiated services such as policy-based routing, billing, ACL and quality of service (QoS).

"The Solidum acquisition is a natural extension for IDT and delivers complementary products to their current portfolio", said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst at The Linley Group.

"With the ability to provide more intelligence at the next level of packet processing, IDT is well-positioned to differentiate itself from other network search engine vendors and expand into new market segments such as content switches and Layer-7 security devices".

Solidum, a market leader in deep packet classification solutions, currently offers a family of programmable classification processors that can be configured to closely inspect and classify packets in applications at up to OC-48 line rates, including load balancers/switches, virtual private networks (VPNs) and policy-based applications, as well as for ACL and class-of-service/differentiated traffic services.

The devices can filter and parse data up to Layer 7, a functionality that, when coupled with IDT's IP co-processors, allows for inspection of content in both the packet header and payload, resulting in more intelligent packet processing at wire speed.

Additionally, Solidum's approach to provide a suite of development tools via a comprehensive software development kit mirrors IDT's strategy to deliver system-oriented solutions and further validates the market need for system-level support.

"In its five years as a privately held company, Solidum has built a solid technological foundation and customer base in solutions for intelligent, deep-packet classification", said Rick White, President and CEO of Solidum Systems.

"We look forward to sharing our vision with IDT, and are pleased that this transaction will not only support, but strengthen our ability to provide comprehensive packet-processing solutions to our worldwide customer base".

IDT and Solidum have had a strategic alliance in place since October 2001, delivering the industry's first turnkey solution for stateful classification earlier this year.

The joining of the two companies allows for continued investment in technology that targets next-generation requirements of applications needing stateful classification with highly dynamic policies.

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