In the fight for data center market share, Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ) is the latest to make a move,
acquiring 3Com Corp. (NASDAQ:COMS), a provider of Ethernet switching, for $7.90 per share in cash or about $2.7 billion.
More details on HP's buy will follow on The Deal Pipeline (subscription required).
We've gathered a few technology acquisition lists in recent months as dealmaking in the data center space heats up.
In early October, Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:BRCD) was rumored to be
looking for a buyer with HP and Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ:ORCL) mentioned as possible acquirers. But Canaccord Adams Inc. tech analyst Paul Mansky took exception to that notion, saying there are less expensive candidates, and he said QLogic Corp. (NASDAQ:QLGC) is eager to sell its switching product line -- possibly for as little as $300 million to $350 million.
Who else is an acquisition candidate in this niche? Along with 3Com, Mansky had mentioned Extreme Networks Inc. (NASDAQ:EXTR) and Force10 Networks Inc., a private company. -
Baz HiralalAlso see:
Join Corporate Dealmaker's LinkedIn forum
Juergen Lasowski
And the winners are...
