Intel has decided to acquire Barefoot Networks, an emerging leader in Ethernet switch silicon and software for use in the data center. The acquisition will boost Intel’s cloud networking and chip-making portfolio.
The announcement was made in a blog post by Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Center Group at Intel Corporation, on the company's newsroom website. “Intel has signed an agreement to acquire Barefoot Networks, an emerging leader in Ethernet switch silicon and software for use in the data center, specializing in the programmability and flexibility necessary to meet the performance and ever-changing needs of the hyperscale cloud,” wrote Navin Shenoy.
Intel’s move is seen as an attempt by the company to step up its competition with Broadcom in cloud computing technology offerings. Intel expects its acquisition of Barefoot Networks to close in the third quarter of 2019. The company hasn’t disclosed the amount.
The addition of Barefoot Networks will support the chipmaking giant’s focus on end-to-end cloud networking and infrastructure leadership. According to Intel, it would allow Intel to continue to deliver on new workloads, experiences, and capabilities for our data center customers.
“Led by Dr. Craig Barratt and based in Santa Clara, California, the Barefoot Networks team is a great complement to our existing connectivity offerings. Barefoot Networks will add deep expertise in cloud network architectures, P4-programmable high-speed data paths, switch silicon development, P4 compilers, driver software, network telemetry and computational networking,” added Navin Shenoy.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Barefoot Networks was launched in 2016 by Dr. Craig Barratt. The company is backed by Google Inc., Goldman Sachs Principal Strategic Investments, Alibaba, Tencent, and by premier venture capital firms Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Andreessen Horowitz. According to PitchBook Data, Barefoot Networks Inc. was valued at about $380 million after it raised its last round of funding in November 2016.
