Airespace
{{short description|Former American networking systems company}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Airespace, Inc.
| former_name = Black Storm Networks, Inc.
| logo = File:Airespace wordmark.svg
| type =
| industry = Computer networking
| founded = {{Start date and age|2001}} in San Jose, California
| founder = {{ubl|Pat Calhoun|Bob Friday|Bob O'Hara|Ajay Mishra}}
| defunct = {{End date|2005|03}}
| fate = Acquired by Cisco Systems
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| website = {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040413233154/http://www.airespace.com/|title=airespace.com}}
}}
Airespace, Inc., formerly Black Storm Networks, was a networking systems company founded in 2001, manufacturing wireless access points and controllers of the former. The company developed the AP-Controller model for fast deployment and the Lightweight Access Point Protocol, the precursor to the CAPWAP protocol.{{cite web | last=Nobel | first=Carmen | date=January 13, 2006 | url=https://www.eweek.com/mobile/support-for-ietf-protocol-in-question/ | title=Support for IETF Protocol in Question | work=eWeek | publisher=Ziff-Davis | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230214195439/https://www.eweek.com/mobile/support-for-ietf-protocol-in-question/ | archivedate=February 14, 2023}}{{cite book | last=Ferguson | first=Bill | date=2015 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oOurCAAAQBAJ | title=CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-006 | publisher=Wiley | page=126 | isbn=9781119098164 | via=Google Books}}{{cite book | last=Coleman | first=David D. | date= 2011| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0ZWLn57EdpsC | title=CWSP Certified Wireless Security Professional Official Study Guide: Exam PW0-204 | publisher=Wiley | page=645 | isbn=9780470619643 | via=Google Books}}
Corporate history
Airespace was founded in 2001 by Pat Calhoun,{{cite journal | last=Tampone | first=Kevin | date=March 3, 2006 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/219317010/ | title=Cisco executive offers start-up advice for tech firms | journal=Central New York Business Journal | issue=20 | page=9 | via=ProQuest}} Bob Friday,{{cite journal | last=Craig | first=Mathias | date=March 27, 2017 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1881309892/ | title=Mist CTO Bob Friday: 'Beacons are reaching critical mass' | journal=Network World | publisher=IDG Publications | via=ProQuest}} Bob O'Hara,{{cite journal | last=Wittmann | first=Art | date=December 7, 2006 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/215431870/ | title=CISCO vs. MERU: The Vendors Speak | journal=Network Computing | publisher=CMP Media | volume=17 | issue=25 | pages=67–71 | via=ProQuest}}{{rp|70}} and Ajay Mishra.{{cite journal | last=Subramanyam | first=R. | date=October 17, 2005 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/461476047/ | title=More tech start-ups by Indians on Cisco's radar | journal=The Economic Times | page=1 | via=ProQuest}} The company was venture backed by Storm Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Fidelity Investments, and Battery Ventures.{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=August 3, 2004 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/463889865/ | title=Wireless firms in San Jose, Calif., area receive added funding rounds | journal=San Jose Mercury News | publisher=Knight Ridder Tribune Business News | page=1 | via=ProQuest}} In 2003, it entered into an agreement to provide OEM equipment to NEC.{{cite journal | last=Nobel | first=Carmen | date=April 7, 2003 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/198485982/ | title=Airespace Reins in Wireless Networks | journal=eWeek | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=20 | issue=14 | page=18 | via=ProQuest}} In 2004 it signed an agreement with Alcatel and Nortel to provide equipment to the two companies on an OEM basis.{{cite journal | last=Cox | first=John | date=March 1, 2004 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/215970895/ | title=Alcatel debuts wireless gear | journal=Network World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=21 | issue=9 | page=11 | via=ProQuest}}{{cite journal | last=Cox | first=John | date=October 18, 2004 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/215974717/ | title=The air is starting to come out of the wireless LAN market | journal=Network World | publisher=IDG Publications | volume=21 | issue=42 | pages=8, 68 | via=ProQuest}}{{rp|8}}
Airespace was first to market with integrated location tracking.{{cite journal | last=Nobel | first=Carmen | date=December 8, 2003 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/198555212/ | title=Airespace Sets WLan Tools for Remote Sites | journal=eWeek | publisher=Ziff-Davis | volume=20 | issue=49 | page=30 | via=ProQuest}} Within a year and a half, the company grew rapidly into the market leader of enterprise Wi-Fi.{{cite journal | last=Hill | first=Bert | date=April 27, 2005 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/240838050/ | title=... and he's still playing to win | journal=The Ottawa Citizen | page=D1 | via=ProQuest}}
Cisco Systems acquired Airespace in 2005 for $450 million;{{Cite web|last=Hochmuth|first=Phil|date=January 12, 2005|title=Cisco nets Airespace for $450 million|url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2318076/cisco-nets-airespace-for--450-million.html|access-date=June 5, 2020|website=Network World|language=en}} this was one of 13 acquisitions Cisco made that year and the largest up to that point.{{cite journal | last=Evans | first=Mark | date=May 13, 2005 | url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/330370091/ | title=How Cisco maintains its spot at the top | journal=National Post | page=FP8 | via=ProQuest}} Airespace products were merged into Cisco Aironet product line.{{cite book | last=Velte | first=Toby | author2=Anthony Velte | date=2006 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hQaJDYjOmZkC | title=Cisco: A Beginner's Guide| edition=4th | publisher=McGraw-Hill | page=22 | isbn=9780071776554 | via=Google Books}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{web archive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040413233154/http://www.airespace.com/|title=Official website}}
Category:2001 establishments in California
Category:2005 disestablishments in California
Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions
Category:American companies established in 2001
Category:American companies disestablished in 2005
Category:Computer companies established in 2001
Category:Computer companies disestablished in 2005
Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States
Category:Defunct computer hardware companies