Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 25, 2026

Airespace

Airespace, Inc., formerly Black Storm Networks, was a networking systems company founded in 2001, manufacturing wireless access points and controllers of the former. The company developed the AP-Controller model for fast deployment and the Lightweight Access Point Protocol, the precursor to the CAPWAP protocol.

Last revised
Jun 25, 2026
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≈ 2 min
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Wikipedia ↗
Airespace, Inc.
FormerlyBlack Storm Networks, Inc.
IndustryComputer networking
Founded2001 (2001) in San Jose, California
Founder
  • Pat Calhoun
  • Bob Friday
  • Bob O'Hara
  • Ajay Mishra
DefunctMarch 2005 (2005-03)
FateAcquired by Cisco Systems
Websiteairespace.com at the Wayback Machine (archived 2004-04-13)

Airespace, Inc., formerly Black Storm Networks, was a networking systems company founded in 2001, manufacturing wireless access points and controllers of the former. The company developed the AP-Controller model for fast deployment and the Lightweight Access Point Protocol, the precursor to the CAPWAP protocol.123

Corporate history

Airespace was founded in 2001 by Pat Calhoun,4 Bob Friday,5 Bob O'Hara,6: 70  and Ajay Mishra.7 The company was venture backed by Storm Ventures, Norwest Venture Partners, Fidelity Investments, and Battery Ventures.8 In 2003, it entered into an agreement to provide OEM equipment to NEC.9 In 2004 it signed an agreement with Alcatel and Nortel to provide equipment to the two companies on an OEM basis.1011: 8 

Airespace was first to market with integrated location tracking.12 Within a year and a half, the company grew rapidly into the market leader of enterprise Wi-Fi.13

Cisco Systems acquired Airespace in 2005 for $450 million;14 this was one of 13 acquisitions Cisco made that year and the largest up to that point.15 Airespace products were merged into Cisco Aironet product line.16

References

References

  1. Nobel, Carmen (January 13, 2006). "Support for IETF Protocol in Question". eWeek. Ziff-Davis.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. Ferguson, Bill (2015). CompTIA Network+ Review Guide: Exam N10-006. Wiley. p. 126. ISBN 9781119098164 – via Google Books.
  3. Coleman, David D. (2011). CWSP Certified Wireless Security Professional Official Study Guide: Exam PW0-204. Wiley. p. 645. ISBN 9780470619643 – via Google Books.
  4. Tampone, Kevin (March 3, 2006). "Cisco executive offers start-up advice for tech firms". Central New York Business Journal (20): 9. ProQuest 219317010.
  5. Craig, Mathias (March 27, 2017). "Mist CTO Bob Friday: 'Beacons are reaching critical mass'". Network World. IDG Publications. ProQuest 1881309892.
  6. Wittmann, Art (December 7, 2006). "CISCO vs. MERU: The Vendors Speak". Network Computing. 17 (25). CMP Media: 67–71. ProQuest 215431870.
  7. Subramanyam, R. (October 17, 2005). "More tech start-ups by Indians on Cisco's radar". The Economic Times: 1. ProQuest 461476047.
  8. Staff writer (August 3, 2004). "Wireless firms in San Jose, Calif., area receive added funding rounds". San Jose Mercury News. Knight Ridder Tribune Business News: 1. ProQuest 463889865.
  9. Nobel, Carmen (April 7, 2003). "Airespace Reins in Wireless Networks". eWeek. 20 (14). Ziff-Davis: 18. ProQuest 198485982.
  10. Cox, John (March 1, 2004). "Alcatel debuts wireless gear". Network World. 21 (9). IDG Publications: 11. ProQuest 215970895.
  11. Cox, John (October 18, 2004). "The air is starting to come out of the wireless LAN market". Network World. 21 (42). IDG Publications: 8, 68. ProQuest 215974717.
  12. Nobel, Carmen (December 8, 2003). "Airespace Sets WLan Tools for Remote Sites". eWeek. 20 (49). Ziff-Davis: 30. ProQuest 198555212.
  13. Hill, Bert (April 27, 2005). "... and he's still playing to win". The Ottawa Citizen: D1. ProQuest 240838050.
  14. Hochmuth, Phil (January 12, 2005). "Cisco nets Airespace for $450 million". Network World. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  15. Evans, Mark (May 13, 2005). "How Cisco maintains its spot at the top". National Post: FP8. ProQuest 330370091.
  16. Velte, Toby; Anthony Velte (2006). Cisco: A Beginner's Guide (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 22. ISBN 9780071776554 – via Google Books.
External links