HP Acquires ConteXtream For NFV Capabilities

In a move to beef up its NFV capabilities, IT giant HP has acquired ConteXtream, a startup selling software-defined networking (SDN) and network-function virtualization (NFV). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The deal strengthen HP's position in the fast-growing NFV market, which analyst expect to grow to $11 billion by the year 2018. 

ConteXtream's open SDN platform complements HP's OpenNFV solutions and IT experience. ConteXtream is a combined SDN/NFV player, with three major product portfolio namely: ContexNet which provides control/forwarding separation, ContexView which provides the management glass, and ContexWare, a virtualized TCP optimization environment.

The deal follows several high-profile networking acquisitions, which include VMware's Nicira, Cisco's Embrane and Tail-f and Oracle's Corente. According to HP, it plans to use ConteXtream as a way to increase it's involvement with and contributions toward the OpenDaylight community.

Founded in 2007 and based in Mountain View, ConteXtream is a provider of OpenDaylight-based, carrier-grade SDN fabric for NFV, and a current HP OpenNFV partner. It provides solutions that allow service providers to create a more flexible and programmable network through an SDN/NFV model. The company delivers innovative capabilities like advanced service function chaining, and deployed at a number of major carrier networks across the globe. It's technology connects subscribers to services, enabling carriers to leverage their existing standard server hardware to virtualize functions and services. It’s investors include Benhamou Global Ventures, Comcast Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Gemini Israel Ventures, Sofinnova Ventures, and Verizon Ventures.

Once completed, ConteXtream will become part of HP's Communications Solutions Business, ConteXtream's current CEO and co-founder Nachman Shelef will continue to lead the company within HP and report to Saar Gillai, senior vice president and general manager of HP’s network function virtualization unit. 

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