Netrake

Netrake carved out a specific niche in the telecommunications sector as a provider of networking software and hardware for network service providers. Founded in 2000 and based in Plano, Texas, the company focused on developing session border controllers (SBCs) and security gateways. These products were crucial for operators of wireline, wireless, and cable networks to manage and secure real-time voice and multimedia traffic, such as VoIP and video, across different IP network borders.

The company's core offering, the nCite™ product portfolio, functioned as a primary defense for service providers. It enabled essential services like carrier-to-carrier peering, residential and business VoIP access, and supported the transition toward emerging IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architectures. By providing robust security, reliability, and scalability, Netrake's technology allowed its clients—fixed and mobile service providers—to interconnect disparate networks securely and efficiently. The business model centered on selling these specialized hardware and software systems directly to telecommunications operators.

After raising over $50 million in capital from investors including Agave Capital, Austin Ventures, and Prism Venture Management, Netrake established a strong presence in its market. This trajectory culminated in its acquisition by AudioCodes (NASDAQ: AUDC) in August 2006. AudioCodes acquired Netrake for a purchase price of $10 million in cash, with potential for an additional $1 million based on financial milestones, integrating Netrake's SBC and security gateway solutions into its broader portfolio of Voice over Packet technologies. At the time of the acquisition, Bruce Hill was the CEO of Netrake.

Keywords: Netrake, session border controller, SBC, security gateway, VoIP security, AudioCodes acquisition, IP multimedia subsystem, nCite, voice over IP, network interconnect, carrier peering, telecommunications hardware, network security, voice networking, multimedia delivery, fixed mobile convergence