Network Tester Fluke to Buy AirMagnet

A powerhouse in wired network testing and monitoring made a big move into wireless LANs on Thursday as Fluke Networks announced an agreement to buy AirMagnet.

Fluke makes a variety of products for both enterprise and service-provider networks, including cable testing gear, troubleshooting equipment, traffic analysis software and some wireless LAN analysis offerings. The planned acquisition, for which terms were not disclosed, will add a large lineup of wireless test, security and analysis products from AirMagnet.

Wireless LANs are playing a growing role in enterprises as employees expect to have fast connectivity everywhere and Wi-Fi gear based on the 802.11n standard delivers client speeds comparable to most wired LANs. With the acquisition, Fluke will be able to offer customers visibility into their networks from end to end, regardless of physical media, and deliver tools to manage and troubleshoot those networks, the companies said.

The acquisition is expected to close in the coming weeks after customary approvals. Fluke, in Everett, Washington, is a subsidiary of Danaher, a diversified technology company based in Washington, D.C. It has about 700 employees. AirMagnet is privately held and based on Sunnyvale, California, with about 80 employees and more than 8,200 customers, according to its Web site.