Aruba to acquire AirWave for £18.5m

Aruba Networks is acquiring AirWave Wireless for £18.5m in stock and cash to widen its Wi-Fi offering to firms.

AirWave is a leading provider of tools to centrally manage large, multi-supplier wireless Lan, mesh, and WiMax networks.

Aruba said the acquisition will provide it with "best-in-class multi-supplier mobility management tools, as well as a vehicle for better supporting its expanding technology partner eco-system".

AirWave will operate as a business unit of Aruba, responsible for enhancing the AirWave Wireless Management Suite software.

The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of Aruba's 2008 fiscal year.