Contrail Systems

The firm focused on creating controllers for software-defined networks. Its core product was designed as an open, standards-based distributed controller that supported both Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) to automate and orchestrate virtual network overlays. This technology aimed to simplify the creation and management of virtual networks, enabling policy-based automation and reducing reliance on physical infrastructure. The target market included enterprises and service providers looking to build agile and scalable hybrid cloud environments, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV).

In a strategic move to bolster its SDN capabilities against competitors like Cisco, Juniper Networks acquired Contrail Systems in December 2012 for $176 million in cash and stock. The acquisition occurred just as Contrail was emerging from stealth mode and before its first product was officially released. Following the acquisition, the technology was integrated into Juniper's portfolio as Juniper Networks Contrail, a solution for network virtualization and service automation across federated cloud networks.