Inkra Networks

Inkra Networks was established in 2000 by co-founder Sanjay Dhawan, who also served as the company's Chairman and CEO. Dhawan, a seasoned technology executive with leadership roles at companies like Netopia and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), brought extensive experience in the communications technology industry to the venture. He has authored several publications on networking and holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Brunel University.

The company focused on the virtual networking market, specifically providing virtualized network and security infrastructure for data centers. Inkra Networks designed and sold a Virtual Service Switch that integrated and virtualized essential networking and security services. These services included firewall, load balancing, intrusion detection and prevention (IDP), and virtual private networking (VPN), all consolidated onto a single, centrally managed platform. This all-in-one hardware and software solution was targeted at carrier and enterprise data centers.

Inkra's business model involved selling its Virtual Service Switch products, like the Inkra 4000, to clients such as Savvis Communications. The company's go-to-market strategy included forming integration partnerships, such as a multi-million dollar agreement with NEC, and establishing distribution agreements with integrators in international markets like South Korea. The firm secured significant venture capital, raising a total of $66.6 million over two funding rounds. Investors included Morgenthaler Ventures, Storm Ventures, Battery Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, and Greenstone Venture Partners.

Keywords: virtual networking, data center solutions, virtual service switch, network security infrastructure, enterprise data centers, carrier networking, firewall virtualization, load balancing, IDP, VPN consolidation, Sanjay Dhawan, network virtualization, data center hardware, network infrastructure