Novell to buy PlateSpin management software
Novell said Monday it plans to acquire PlateSpin for $205 million in cash, a move that could bolster Novell's software for helping customers manage their computing operations.
PlateSpin's software is used to encapsulate software and data running on a physical or virtual server, an infrastructure designed to make it easier to reconfigure hardware and software on the fly in response to equipment failures or changing work needs. The software also can handle the automated installation process called provisioning.
Novell, based in Waltham, Mass., is trying to rebuild its financial health by focusing on two main software areas, Linux and management software. The PlateSpin acquisition, which fits into the latter category, is expected to close in the second quarter of Novell's fiscal 2008, which concludes at the end of April.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
