Aruba Networks claims it will be the first wireless LAN vendor to offer customers cross-vendor network management after agreeing to acquire AirWave Wireless for $37m (£18.9m).

California-based AirWave’s platform manages networks from a whole range of wireless vendors, including Aruba itself, Cisco, Trapeze Networks and Motorola. The acquisition is expected to close in March.

Dominic Orr, chief executive of Aruba, said: “Customers have a vision of how they want to architect and deploy their networks, and those networks often include multiple vendors.

“We believe it is important to respect customers’ choices in these matters, and this acquisition positions us as the first mobility vendor to move beyond simple interoperability and offer cross-vendor network management, too.”

Roger Hockaday, EMEA marketing director at Aruba, told CRN that Aruba would work with AirWave’s two European staff to get partners up to speed on the new technology.

“AirWave will allow them to sell more powerful management platforms into larger clients,” he said.

Hockaday was unsure of how rival vendors which currently partner with AirWave around management platforms would react to the deal.

“We wouldn’t imagine they would want to continue working with AirWave, but we would prefer to cooperate as it is in the best interest of customers,” he said.

Further reading:

Aruba revamps distribution model