Cisco to buy networking specialist Cariden for $141m

US telecoms equipment vendor Cisco has confirmed its intention to acquire privately-held Californian firm Cariden Technologies, a supplier of network planning, design and traffic management solutions, for around $141m in cash and retention-based incentives.

The acquisition will provide Cisco with Cariden’s capacity planning and management tools for IP/MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) networks, which have been deployed by many of the world’s leading fixed and mobile network operators.

Cariden is to be integrated into Cisco’s Service Provider Networking Group, reporting to Shailesh Shukla, vice president and general manager of the company’s Software and Applications Group.

The acquisition is subject to various standard closing conditions, and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2013.