Netscreen buys leading SSL VPN technology firm

NetScreen Technologies has acquired Neoteris, a leader in Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) virtual private network technology.

The acquisition will cost NetScreen $245m (£146m) in stock and $20m (£12m) in cash. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year. 

Neoteris has 36% of market share in the first half of 2003 for the SSSL VPN technology sector, making it the top supplier, according to research by Frost & Sullivan. Neoteris has more than 550 enterprise customers. 

Infonetics Research said it expected the market to exceed $600m in sales by 2006. 

F5 Networks has also announced its FirePass Controller, an SSL VPN which the company is marketing as a result of its acquisition of uRoam in July. This is Version 4.0 of FirePass Controller, but the first under F5 ownership. 

The rack-mounted unit is available now, and prices start at less than $10,000 (£5,964).

Matt Hamblen writes for Computerworld