Emulex

Emulex Corporation was an American computer-hardware company that developed connectivity, monitoring, and management products for enterprise computing environments. Founded in 1978 by Fred B. Cox, the company initially supplied data-storage products and data-communications equipment and built an early customer base around Digital Equipment Corporation systems, especially VAX and PDP-11 computers. Its early portfolio included disk controllers, communication controllers, tape controllers, and terminal-server equipment. The company’s products were positioned primarily as infrastructure components rather than consumer-facing systems. Emulex supplied hardware and software that allowed servers, storage arrays, and enterprise networks to communicate with one another, with its technologies frequently incorporated into products sold by larger original-equipment manufacturers. By the 2000s and 2010s, its portfolio had expanded into Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity, storage-area-network interfaces, network monitoring, and management software. Emulex products or technologies were used in systems associated with companies including Cisco, Dell, EMC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, IBM, NetApp, and Oracle. A notable early product was the Performance 4000 terminal server, introduced in 1988. It was described as the first third-party terminal server compatible with Digital Equipment Corporation’s Local Area Transport protocol. The fixed 16-port unit used a plastic enclosure and an LCD status display, illustrating Emulex’s focus on practical connectivity products for established enterprise platforms. In 1992, Emulex separated its disk-controller operation into QLogic, a transaction that helped distinguish its subsequent networking and connectivity activities from that earlier storage-controller business. Emulex pursued expansion through acquisitions as enterprise networking and storage architectures evolved. In 2000, it acquired Giganet for a reported $645 million, adding technology relevant to high-speed networking. In 2013, it acquired Endace, a New Zealand-based company associated with network monitoring and measurement technology. These moves broadened Emulex beyond interface hardware toward visibility, performance analysis, and management capabilities for data-center networks. The company became the subject of a contested takeover attempt in 2009. Broadcom proposed acquiring Emulex for $9.25 per share, valuing the proposal at approximately $764 million and representing a stated premium to Emulex’s market price. After Emulex’s board recommended rejecting the offer, Broadcom increased the proposal to $11 per share, or approximately $925 million. Emulex again rejected the offer, and Broadcom later withdrew it. Emulex remained headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and employed more than 1,200 people in 2013. In February 2015, Avago Technologies announced an agreement to acquire the company for $8 per share in cash. Avago later merged with Broadcom in 2015 and adopted the Broadcom name. Emulex therefore ceased to operate as an independent public company, while its technologies and product capabilities became part of the broader Broadcom portfolio.

Emulex was established in 1978 by Fred B. Cox to supply data-storage products and data-communications equipment to the computer industry. Its early business developed around the installed base of Digital Equipment Corporation computers, particularly VAX and PDP-11 systems. Rather than competing as a general-purpose computer manufacturer, Emulex concentrated on the peripheral controllers and communications equipment that enabled established enterprise systems to connect with storage devices, terminals, and networks. The company’s early catalog included disk controllers, communication controllers, and tape controllers. Contemporary marketing presented Emulex as a broad supplier for VAX users, reflecting its effort to become a convenient source for multiple classes of infrastructure hardware. Emulex also developed terminal-server products. The Performance series culminated in the Performance 4000, or P4000, introduced in August 1988. The P4000 had a fixed 16-port configuration, an LCD status display, and compatibility with Digital Equipment Corporation’s Local Area Transport protocol. It was identified as the first third-party terminal server compatible with that protocol. In 1992, Emulex spun off its disk-controller business into QLogic. This transaction changed the balance of Emulex’s portfolio and left the company more focused on communications and connectivity technologies. Over time, the business expanded from equipment for particular computer platforms into products used across enterprise servers, storage systems, and data-center networks. During the 2000s and early 2010s, Emulex became associated with Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity. Its input/output products were incorporated into or used with server and storage offerings from major technology manufacturers, including Cisco, Dell, EMC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Hewlett-Packard, Huawei, IBM, NetApp, and Oracle. The company also supplied monitoring and management capabilities, broadening its role from physical connectivity toward operational visibility and control of enterprise infrastructure. Acquisitions supported this expansion. Emulex acquired Giganet in 2000 for a reported $645 million. In 2013, it acquired Endace, a New Zealand company, adding network-monitoring expertise. These transactions reflected the growing importance of high-speed interconnects, network performance, and data-center observability alongside traditional adapter and controller products. Emulex was headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and reported a workforce of more than 1,200 employees in 2013. Its independence came under pressure in 2009 when Broadcom proposed a cash acquisition. Broadcom first offered $9.25 per share, a proposal valued at approximately $764 million, and later raised the price to $11 per share, or approximately $925 million. Emulex’s board recommended rejecting both proposals, and Broadcom ultimately withdrew its bid. The company was eventually acquired by Avago Technologies. In February 2015, Avago announced a cash offer of $8 per Emulex share. The transaction ended Emulex’s status as an independent company. Avago merged with Broadcom in May 2015 and subsequently used the Broadcom name, bringing Emulex’s technology and operations into the enlarged Broadcom organization. Emulex is therefore best understood today as a former enterprise-connectivity brand and company whose product heritage was absorbed through that acquisition.

• 2015

  Acquired by Avago Technologies

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Avago Technologies announced a cash acquisition of Emulex for $8 per share. Avago later merged with Broadcom and adopted the Broadcom name.

• 2013

  Endace acquired

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Emulex acquired New Zealand-based Endace, strengthening its network-monitoring and performance-visibility capabilities.

• 2000

  Giganet acquired

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Emulex acquired Giganet as part of its expansion in enterprise networking.

• 1992

  Disk-controller business spun off into QLogic

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Emulex separated its disk-controller business into QLogic.

• 1988

  Performance 4000 terminal server introduced

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Emulex released the 16-port Performance 4000 terminal server, described as the first third-party terminal server compatible with Digital Equipment Corporation’s Local Area Transport protocol.

• 1983

  Expansion of the VAX-oriented product catalog

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Emulex marketed a broad range of products for VAX users, including disk, communications, and tape controllers.

• 1978

  Emulex is founded

  [1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  Fred B. Cox founded Emulex as a supplier of data-storage products and data-communications equipment for the computer industry.

Enterprise infrastructure technology provider focused on reliable server, storage, networking, monitoring, and management connectivity for OEMs, data centers, and large organizations.

• Terminal server · 1988

  Performance 4000

  The Performance 4000, or P4000, was a 16-port terminal server introduced in August 1988. It used a fixed-port configuration, a plastic enclosure, and an LCD status display, and was designed to work with Digital Equipment Corporation’s Local Area Transport protocol. The product represented Emulex’s effort to provide third-party connectivity equipment for established enterprise computer systems.

• Network connectivity

  Ethernet connectivity products

  Emulex developed Ethernet-based connectivity products for servers and storage environments. These products formed part of the company’s broader input/output portfolio and were commonly supplied through or incorporated into enterprise systems made by major original-equipment manufacturers.

• Storage networking

  Fibre Channel connectivity products

  Emulex’s Fibre Channel offerings supported high-performance connections between servers and storage-area networks. They were used in enterprise storage architectures and contributed to the company’s identity as a specialist supplier of server and storage I/O connectivity.

• Computer hardware

  Server and storage I/O products

  The company supplied input/output connectivity hardware used in server and storage products. Its portfolio evolved from early computer-platform controllers into adapters and related technologies for modern enterprise data centers, often reaching customers through OEM systems from large technology vendors.

• Network management software and hardware

  Network monitoring and management technologies

  Emulex provided technologies for monitoring, managing, and assessing enterprise network performance. The acquisition of Endace in 2013 expanded this area and complemented Emulex’s existing connectivity business with greater visibility into data-center traffic and operations.

• 2000

  Emulex hoax

  Emulex was the subject of a securities-market hoax involving false information about the company. The event is recognized in references to Emulex through the related topic titled “Emulex hoax.” The available reference material does not provide sufficient detail here to describe the perpetrators, precise market effects, or legal outcome without risking unsupported claims.

  Source

Read more

• 2015

  Accept Avago Technologies acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Avago Technologies pursued Emulex as part of its expansion in semiconductor and enterprise-connectivity technologies.

  Action taken

  Avago announced a cash acquisition of Emulex for $8 per share.

  Aftermath

  Emulex ceased to operate as an independent public company. Avago later merged with Broadcom and adopted the Broadcom name.

  Acquisition consideration. $8 per share in cash (February 2015)

  Source

• 2013

  Acquire EndaceM&A

  Background

  Emulex aimed to broaden its infrastructure portfolio beyond connectivity hardware into network monitoring.

  Action taken

  The company acquired Endace, a New Zealand-based network-monitoring technology company.

  Aftermath

  Endace’s capabilities complemented Emulex’s server, storage, and network-connectivity products.

  Source

• 2009

  Reject Broadcom’s acquisition proposalsM&A

  Background

  Broadcom sought to acquire Emulex and initially proposed $9.25 per share, valued at approximately $764 million.

  Action taken

  Emulex’s board recommended rejecting the initial proposal and also rejected Broadcom’s later $11-per-share offer.

  Aftermath

  Broadcom withdrew its offer after the increased proposal was rejected, leaving Emulex independent at that time.

  Broadcom acquisition proposal. $9.25 per share; approximately $764 million → $11 per share; approximately $925 million (April-July 2009)

  • Broadcom — Broadcom increased its offer and later withdrew it after Emulex rejected the proposal.

  Source

• 2000

  Acquire GiganetM&A

  Background

  Emulex sought to expand its enterprise-networking capabilities.

  Action taken

  Emulex acquired Giganet for a reported $645 million.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition supported Emulex’s development as a provider of high-speed network-connectivity technology.

  Reported acquisition value. $645 million (2000)

  Source

• 1992

  Spin off the disk-controller businessStrategy

  Background

  Emulex had originated with a substantial focus on storage and computer controllers, including disk controllers.

  Action taken

  The company separated its disk-controller business into QLogic.

  Aftermath

  The transaction left Emulex with a stronger emphasis on communications and connectivity technologies.

  Source

• 2015

  Avago Technologies announces acquisition of Emulex[1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Avago Technologies announced an agreement to acquire Emulex for $8 per share in cash. The acquisition ended Emulex’s independent existence; Avago later merged with Broadcom and adopted the Broadcom name.

• 2009

  Broadcom proposes acquisition of Emulex[1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Broadcom proposed buying all outstanding Emulex shares for $9.25 per share, with the offer valued at approximately $764 million. Emulex’s board recommended that shareholders reject the proposal.

• 2009

  Broadcom raises its Emulex offer and later withdraws it[1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  After Emulex rejected the initial proposal, Broadcom raised its offer to $11 per share, valuing the transaction at approximately $925 million. Emulex rejected the increased proposal, which Broadcom subsequently withdrew.

• 2000

  Emulex acquires Giganet[1]Emulexen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Emulex acquired Giganet in a transaction reported at approximately $645 million, expanding its capabilities in high-speed enterprise networking.

1. 1Emulexen.wikipedia.org