NetScout Systems Inc. has finalized the acquisition of privately-held Network General Corp., a longtime leader in packet-level network analysis and data mining. NetScout will immediately begin executing the planned integration of the two companies' technologies and operations.
The acquisition enables NetScout to offer customers best-of-breed early-warning capability, real-time and historical application flow analysis, and deep packet forensics. The combined company will possess the scale, technology, and mind share required to address and meet the substantial operational challenges posed by virtualization, convergence, SOA and highly distributed network-centric operations.
The transaction will be valued at approximately $206 million for purchase accounting purposes. The acquisition was financed with a combination of 6 million shares of NetScout common stock, $100 million of NetScout debt securities, and $50 million in cash, subject to adjustments. Affiliates of Silver Lake Partners, TPG and Integral Capital Partners provided the debt financing and became NetScout stockholders. In addition, representatives of Silver Lake Partners and TPG will join NetScout’s board of directors.
“On their own, NetScout’s nGenius and Network General’s Sniffer brands were trusted names in the data center and substantial forces in the industry,” noted Michael Szabados, COO, NetScout. “Throwing our combined weight at tomorrow’s most difficult network management challenges, we will elevate and advance the state of the art in packet-flow performance management solutions to the benefit of our customers and the networking industry as a whole.”
