IBM buys Blade Network Technologies

IBM on Monday said it has acquired Blade Network Technologies, which makes blade server and rack switches along with the software that goes with them.

Terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

IBM said that it will add Blade's technology to its systems. Blade and IBM are already partners. More than half of IBM's System x BladeCenters attach or use Blade technology. Blade's technology (below) will also play into IBM's penchant for workload optimized systems.

Blade's gear is used in the data center in conjunction with its virtualization technology. In a nutshell, Blade's software allows servers and network gear to better integrate.

In addition, the deal gives IBM more technology in the networking space. As HP has moved more into networking, IBM has chosen to partner with the likes of Juniper Networks and Brocade Communications along with Cisco.

What impact will the Blade deal have on its relationship with other players? Juniper in a statement said it wasn't worried. For starters, Juniper is an investor in Blade. The company said:

This deal is beneficial for Juniper.  As an investor in BLADE Network Technologies and a strategic alliance partner with IBM, this will enable us to collaborate more closely when our products and services are deployed together. All three companies are aligned in our commitment to addressing customers' most challenging connectivity needs for next-generation data center networks.