Level 5 Networks

Level 5 Networks was a venture-funded company that specialized in 10-Gbit Ethernet technology with a research and development presence in Cambridge, England, and a U.S. office in Sunnyvale, California. The firm focused on developing Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) that combined 10-Gbit Media Access Control (MAC) functions with proprietary server acceleration logic. These components were designed for use in Network Interface Cards (NICs) and Host Bus Adapters (HBAs).

In April 2006, Level 5 Networks merged with Solarflare Communications Inc., a company known for its work in 10-Gbit Ethernet over copper wire. The merged entity continued under the Solarflare name, with its headquarters in Irvine, California. The combination was described as a "true merger" rather than an acquisition, bringing the total cash balance of the two firms to over $50 million. The strategic rationale for the merger was to integrate Solarflare's 10Xpress physical-layer chips with Level 5's EtherFabric cards. Following the merger, the new Solarflare planned to produce boards compatible with various physical media, including fiber and coaxial cable, to serve the broader 10-Gbit Ethernet market.

Keywords: 10-Gbit Ethernet, server acceleration, network interface cards, host bus adapters, Solarflare Communications, semiconductor, data center networking, high-speed interconnects, ASIC design, network hardware, EtherFabric, 10GBASE-T, venture capital, technology merger, server connectivity, data networking, physical-layer chips, ethernet technology