RIVERBED PURCHASES ASSETS OF EXPAND NETWORKS

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13th January 2012

RIVERBED PURCHASES ASSETS OF EXPAND NETWORKS

Taken directly from Riverbed’s web site, they have bought the Intellectual Property rights of Expand Networks. This announcement basically leaves Expand customers totally exposed. Any existing support contracts in place with Expand are effectively null and void. Riverbed are going to provide an “opportunity” for Expand customers to upgrade to Riverbed appliances, although based on their approach of not honouring existing support contracts, I personally feel most customers will probably tell them where to stick this offer.

Barry Hesk

Full Riverbed article is here:

What happened to Expand Networks? Expand Networks went into liquidation under the supervision of the District Court of Haifa in Israel. Riverbed submitted an offer to purchase certain of Expand’s assets, including its intellectual property. That offer was approved by the temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court.

Did Riverbed acquire Expand Networks? No. Riverbed acquired certain of Expand’s assets, including its intellectual property, via an asset purchase agreement.

What is the difference between an acquisition and an asset purchase? In an asset purchase, the purchaser only acquires certain specified assets, such as intellectual property, but does not otherwise assume any liabilities, debts or obligations. In an acquisition, all assets, debts and obligations of the acquired company are acquired.

What does this mean for me as a customer, partner or supplier of Expand? Expand Networks went into liquidation under the supervision of the District Court of Haifa in Israel. All questions regarding Expand’s obligations should be directed to the temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court. Riverbed did not assume any of Expand’s contracts, obligations or liabilities.

Expand owes us money; how do we get paid? All questions regarding any payments owed by Expand should be directed to the temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court. These obligations remain the obligations of Expand.

How do I contact the Expand Networks temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court? The temporary liquidator, Advocate Paz Rimer, may be contacted at:

Rimer, Arnon & Co.
11 Galgalei Haplada St.
Droyanov House, 4th Floor, Entrance 1, P.O.B. 12580
Herzliya 46733 Israel

Phone: (972) 9 9718000
Fax: (972) 9 9718001
Email: RAP@RAP-LAW.CO.IL

What is the status of my order? Any questions regarding outstanding orders should be directed to the temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court. Riverbed did not assume responsibility for fulfilling Expand orders.

Will Riverbed continue to sell Expand Networks products? No; however, customers of Expand Networks are encouraged to contact Riverbed Sales for alternative solutions.

I am currently evaluating Expand Networks products; what should I do? Evaluation units are now property of Riverbed Technology and should be returned promptly to expand-support@riverbed.com. These products are not for sale.

I just purchased Expand products; can I return them to Riverbed for a refund? No.

I just renewed my support contract with Expand. Will Riverbed honor it? No; however, in order to temporarily assist Expand customers, Riverbed intends to create a limited support program for Expand products (please see below for additional information). With respect to existing Expand support agreements, as mentioned above, Riverbed did not assume responsibility for any of Expand’s support agreements or other contracts. All questions regarding Expand contracts should be directed to the temporary liquidator appointed by the District Court.

Will Riverbed offer support for Expand products? At this time, Riverbed intends to create a limited support offering for Expand products. Riverbed is currently evaluating what, if any, support it can provide for Expand products. Information will be updated here as soon as Riverbed has determined what support can be provided. Any support will be made available to current Expand customers on an “as is” basis. At this time, Riverbed intends to complete its evaluation of support capabilities and have a limited support offering available by February 1, 2012. Expand customers will need to purchase a new support contract from Riverbed in order to access this support.

Is there a deadline to purchase Riverbed support for Expand products? Yes. A Riverbed contract must be in place by April 30, 2012. After that date, Riverbed will no longer accept orders for support related to Expand products.

How do I order a support contract with Riverbed? Contact: expand-support@riverbed.com.

How long will Riverbed support Expand products? Riverbed currently intends to support Expand products through January 31, 2013. Riverbed plans to offer Expand customers special incentives during this upcoming time period to migrate to Riverbed solutions.

I just renewed my support contract with Expand. Will I need to purchase a new support contract with Riverbed? Yes. As discussed above, a new contract will need to be purchased from Riverbed Technology.

Checkpoint supports cloud based security for Amazon Web Services

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4th January 2012

Check Point and Amazon Web Services are teaming up to enable Check Point Security Gateway functionality to boost cloud security for business assets.

The arrangement has Amazon supplying the physical platform for a virtual version of Check Point’s security gateway appliance, which customers can configure and manage via their Check Point management platform.

Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services supports the security features of Check Point’s Security Gateway, which includes firewall, VPN, anti-virus and other applications that can be added to the platform via what the company calls software blades.

In order to use Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services, customers must have a valid Check Point license bought either specifically for use in the Amazon cloud or that they bought for use in their private network. Once Amazon is presented with the license, it provides the virtual appliance to the customer.

Installing the appliance requires the cooperation of Amazon because the Check Point software needs bare metal installation of the Check Point operating system that the security gateway runs on. Amazon had to create an Amazon machine image to accommodate the gateway appliance, Check Point says.

To the Check Point management platform, a virtual appliance in the cloud looks the same as an actual appliance deployed in customers’ networks. The platform can control configurations and enforce the same policies, Check Point says.

The company’s security blade architecture includes more than 30 software security applications including firewall, IPS, VPN, URL filtering and data loss prevention. Customers pay according to how may blades they license. Pricing for Virtual Appliance for Amazon Web Services starts at $2,000.

Barry Hesk