McAfee completes sale of network management company

When Network Associates Inc. decided in June to change its name to McAfee Inc. and focus on intrusion prevention and antivirus products, it sold off its Sniffer Technologies line of network management solutions to a group if investors.

Today, Network General Inc., San Jose, Calif., opened its doors for business, having acquired Sniffer and its related products. The company's hardware and software solutions monitor network performance, including that of wireless and voice over IP networks, and allow IT managers to troubleshoot problems.

The new company has 6,000 customers worldwide, including government agencies.

Jeff Duke, a senior engineer for Indiana, said the state has been a long-time Sniffer customer and uses the solutions to ensure high network availability.

"We look forward to this new relationship and commitment to providing solutions and services that have helped the continuity of our business," Duke said.

Bruce Fram, Network General's chief executive office, said the privately held company is looking to grow to 600 people "in the near future."

In addition to Sniffer products, Network General makes Appera application performance management software and Infinistream network management appliances. The company's Netasyst network analyzers are based on Sniffer technology.