Cisco buys Meetinghouse

Cisco announced that they were buying Meetinghouse Data Communications for 43 million odd dollars in cash.  For those who don't know Meetinghouse makes an 802.1x supplicant that is very popular. Their main competition was I believe Funk, which Juniper bought last year.  I think writers and analysts have to realize that 802.1x is not just for WLAN's anymore.  Many LANs are moving to 802.1x standards. This deal makes perfect sense for Cisco, as I think their NAC CTA (Cisco Trust Agent) was actually an OEM of Meetinghouse and they want to compete with the Juniper-Funk product. 

Two questions for me.  First, the price seems a little low.  I wonder what the revenue at Meetinghouse was.  Funk, if I am not mistaken was sold for about 75 million.  Seems like a bargain for Cisco.  But then again, if the CTA OEM was a good chunk of Meetinghouse revenue, Cisco may have saved themselves some money.  Secondly, does this mean Cisco is going to move to an industry standard 802.1x supplicant and support in NAC.  I think Meetinghouse is a TCG member.  Will Cisco now get behind this standard? Will be interesting to watch.

Authors note:  I just have to give Mike Rothman over at Security Incite credit for the best headline for this deal, "Cisco says Funk You to Juniper".  Mike has his own insight into this and other recent Cisco moves that you might find interesting.