Channel watches Avaya-Nortel deal

It's not yet a done deal, but Avaya's $475-million bid for Nortel Networks enterprise solutions division has some partners seeing the light at the end of the dark tunnel, hopeful that once all is said and done, the traction Nortel once had will bloom again, writes ChannelWeb.

Avaya and Nortel have confirmed that Nortel has accepted Avaya's $475-million offer for Nortel's enterprise division, which comprises Nortel's data, voice and government solutions arms. Avaya, however, could still be outbid as the auction to unload Nortel's assets proceeds.

The agreement is a "stalking horse" deal, meaning that while Nortel has agreed to sell its enterprise solutions unit to Avaya, other companies can bid.

IBM has thrown its support behind fibre channel over Ethernet (FCOE) switches, saying it would be reselling one of the FCOE converged data centre switches from new server rival Cisco Systems as well as putting another switch in the field from Brocade Communications, states The Channel Register.

The launch of the Converged Switch B32 from IBM rounds out the company's promise back in April to get a line of rebadged Brocade Ethernet routers and switches in the field.

The B32 is really a toe in the water inasmuch as it is a 32-port rack-mounted switch for supports FCOE as well as the very similar converged enhanced Ethernet and standard Ethernet protocols, which take the benefits of InfiniBand lossless networking and bring them Ethernet while at the same time letting the fibre channel storage protocol run atop this beefed-up Ethernet.

Cloud security vendor Webroot has introduced a free technical training software-as-a-service (SaaS) programme for partners, reports CRN-UK.

The one-day training programme provides new and existing partners with a run-down of the benefits of SaaS and technical training on Webroot Web and E-mail Security SaaS and Webroot E-mail Encryption Service.

Partners can also benefit from a system that monitors and generates leads. The SaaS-specific calculation tool demonstrates cost savings and provides sales and marketing materials to drive revenues.