PLX Technology
PLX Technology was a United States semiconductor company specializing in PCI Express switching and Ethernet connectivity integrated circuits.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
PLX Technology was a semiconductor company founded in 1986 by Mike Salameh and focused on connectivity components for computing, storage, networking, and communications equipment. Its principal area of specialization was the design and manufacture of PCI Express switching devices, which allow multiple components and peripherals to communicate through a PCI Express interconnect. The company also developed Ethernet-related products, including technologies serving high-speed networking and network-attached storage applications. PLX became a public company on April 7, 1999, during the expansion of the late-1990s technology market. Its shares rose sharply during the dot-com boom, reportedly reaching a gain of 426 percent from the initial public offering price by July 1999. The company expanded its presence geographically, opening an Austin, Texas office in July 2000, and broadened its technical portfolio through a series of acquisitions. These included HiNT in 2003, NetChip Technology in 2004, Oxford Semiconductor in 2009, and Teranetics in 2010. The transactions added expertise and products in peripheral interconnects, USB and networking technologies, storage connectivity, and high-speed Ethernet. PLX's product development centered on PCI Express switches and related semiconductor components. In 2008, it introduced three PCI Express switch devices incorporating direct memory access engines, and it continued releasing new switch families in 2009. The company also reported progress on a 40-nanometer design manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in late 2009. Its technology was used in systems such as network-attached storage products; in January 2010, PLX announced shipment of its one-millionth network-attached storage device incorporating its technology. The company experienced several strategic changes as the semiconductor market consolidated. Ralph Schmitt became president and chief executive officer in October 2008, succeeding co-founder Mike Salameh. In 2011, PLX sold its development center in Abingdon-on-Thames, related intellectual-property licenses, and a 40-person team to OCZ Technology. In 2012, it transferred its 10GBASE-T assets to Aquantia. An announced agreement for Integrated Device Technology to acquire PLX was terminated in December 2012 after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission challenged the proposed combination. PLX ultimately became part of the Broadcom organization. Avago Technologies, which later adopted the Broadcom name, acquired PLX on August 12, 2014. The acquisition ended PLX Technology's existence as an independent public company. Its legacy is primarily associated with PCI Express switching and the expansion of semiconductor connectivity solutions for servers, storage systems, and networking equipment.
History
PLX Technology was established in 1986 by Mike Salameh as a semiconductor designer and manufacturer serving computer and communications equipment markets. Its business developed around specialized connectivity components, particularly devices that enabled systems to distribute and manage traffic across peripheral interconnects. As PCI Express became an important architecture for servers, storage systems, and high-performance computers, PLX built a market position around PCI Express switches and associated technologies. It also participated in Ethernet and networking markets. The company entered the public markets on April 7, 1999, with an initial public offering. Its early public-market history coincided with the dot-com bubble, and by July 1999 its shares had risen 426 percent from the IPO price. PLX expanded its operations in the United States by opening an Austin, Texas office in July 2000. It then used acquisitions to add engineering capabilities and product lines. In May 2003, PLX acquired HiNT for $12.7 million in cash and stock. The following year it acquired NetChip Technology. In January 2009, it acquired Oxford Semiconductor in a transaction involving 5.6 million PLX common shares and a $14.2 million promissory note. In September 2010, PLX acquired Teranetics for $36 million, adding high-speed networking expertise. Product development remained concentrated on interconnect and networking semiconductors. In August 2008, PLX launched three PCI Express switch products with integrated direct memory access engines. In April 2009, it released additional PCI Express switches. Later that year, the company completed a new design using a 40-nanometer process at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. PLX's technology also supported network-attached storage applications, and the company announced in January 2010 that it had shipped its one-millionth network-attached storage device. Management and portfolio strategy changed during the late 2000s and early 2010s. In October 2008, Ralph Schmitt became president and chief executive officer, replacing co-founder Mike Salameh. In October 2011, PLX sold its Abingdon-on-Thames development center, associated intellectual-property licenses, and a 40-person team to OCZ Technology. In September 2012, it sold its 10GBASE-T assets to Aquantia. These transactions reflected efforts to refine the company's focus while operating in a highly competitive and consolidating semiconductor sector. PLX also became the subject of acquisition activity. Integrated Device Technology announced an agreement to acquire the company in April 2012, but the transaction was terminated in December 2012 after the Federal Trade Commission challenged the merger. PLX remained independent until Avago Technologies acquired it on August 12, 2014. Avago subsequently operated under the Broadcom name after its broader corporate transformation. The acquisition ended PLX Technology as an independent public company and absorbed its technology and business into Broadcom's semiconductor portfolio.
- 2014
Acquired by Avago Technologies
[1]Avago Technologies completed its acquisition of PLX on August 12, 2014.
- 2012
IDT merger agreement terminated
[1]The proposed acquisition by Integrated Device Technology ended after an FTC challenge.
- 2010
Teranetics acquisition
[1]PLX acquired Teranetics for $36 million, strengthening its high-speed networking capabilities.
- 2009
Oxford Semiconductor acquisition
[1]PLX acquired Oxford Semiconductor using shares and a promissory note.
- 2008
PCI Express switch expansion
[1]PLX introduced three PCI Express switches with integrated direct memory access engines.
- 2004
Acquisition of NetChip Technology
[1]PLX acquired NetChip Technology to expand its connectivity technology portfolio.
- 2003
Acquisition of HiNT
[1]PLX acquired HiNT in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at $12.7 million.
- 1999
Initial public offering
[1]PLX became a public company on April 7, 1999.
- 1986
PLX Technology is founded
[1]Mike Salameh founded PLX Technology as a semiconductor company focused on connectivity technologies.
Products and positioning
A specialized semiconductor supplier focused on PCI Express switching, high-speed interconnects, and Ethernet technologies for enterprise computing, storage, and networking equipment.
Interconnect semiconductors
PCI Express switches
PLX's core product family consisted of PCI Express switching devices used to connect and manage multiple PCI Express endpoints in servers, workstations, storage systems, and other computer platforms. The company developed successive generations of switches and, in 2008, introduced devices incorporating integrated direct memory access engines.
Networking semiconductors
Ethernet and high-speed networking products
PLX developed Ethernet-related connectivity technologies for networking and communications equipment. Its portfolio included high-speed networking capabilities associated with products and assets later transferred or divested as the company refined its strategic focus.
Storage connectivity
Network-attached storage connectivity solutions
PLX technology was incorporated into network-attached storage devices and supported data movement between storage components and host systems. The company announced shipment of its one-millionth network-attached storage device in January 2010.
Brand decisions
2014
Acquisition by Avago TechnologiesM&ABackground
PLX operated in a semiconductor sector undergoing consolidation and had previously seen another proposed acquisition terminated.
Action taken
Avago Technologies completed the acquisition of PLX Technology on August 12, 2014.
Aftermath
PLX ceased to operate as an independent public company, and its technology became part of the Avago and subsequently Broadcom organization.
2012
Sale of 10GBASE-T assetsStrategyBackground
PLX reassessed its networking portfolio amid competition and consolidation in high-speed Ethernet semiconductors.
Action taken
PLX sold its 10GBASE-T assets to Aquantia Corporation.
Aftermath
Aquantia obtained the divested assets, while PLX continued to emphasize its remaining connectivity businesses.
2012
Termination of proposed IDT acquisitionM&ABackground
Integrated Device Technology announced an agreement to acquire PLX, but the proposed combination attracted scrutiny from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Action taken
The parties terminated the acquisition agreement in December 2012 after the FTC challenged the merger.
Aftermath
PLX remained independent until its later acquisition by Avago Technologies.
2011
Sale of Abingdon development center and related assetsStrategyBackground
PLX adjusted its engineering footprint and portfolio while concentrating on its core connectivity businesses.
Action taken
The company sold its development center in Abingdon-on-Thames, associated intellectual-property licenses, and a 40-person team to OCZ Technology.
Aftermath
The transaction transferred development resources and selected intellectual property to OCZ while reducing PLX's direct ownership of those assets.
Recent events
- 2014
Avago Technologies acquires PLX Technology[1]
M&A
Avago Technologies, later known as Broadcom Inc., completed its acquisition of PLX Technology on August 12, 2014.
- 2012
FTC challenge ends IDT acquisition agreement[1]
M&A · Regulation
An agreement for Integrated Device Technology to acquire PLX was terminated after the Federal Trade Commission challenged the proposed merger.
- 2012
PLX sells 10GBASE-T assets to Aquantia[1]
Other
PLX divested its 10GBASE-T assets to Aquantia as part of a portfolio and strategy adjustment.
- 2010
PLX ships one-millionth network-attached storage device[1]
Other
The company announced shipment of its one-millionth network-attached storage device incorporating PLX technology.
- 2009
PLX completes Oxford Semiconductor acquisition[1]
M&A
PLX acquired Oxford Semiconductor using PLX shares and a promissory note, broadening its connectivity and semiconductor portfolio.
- 2008
PLX appoints Ralph Schmitt as president and CEO[1]
Leadership change
Ralph Schmitt succeeded co-founder Mike Salameh as president and chief executive officer.
- 2008
PLX launches PCI Express switches with integrated DMA engines[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The company introduced three PCI Express switch devices incorporating direct memory access functionality.
- 1999
PLX Technology completes initial public offering[1]
Other
PLX Technology became a publicly traded company during the late-1990s technology-market expansion.
- 1999
PLX shares surge during the dot-com boom[1]
Pricing
By July 1999, the company's shares had risen substantially from their IPO price, reflecting the market environment of the period.
Sources1 sources
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