Tasman Networks

About Tasman Networks

Tasman Networks, originally established as Tiara Networks in 1997, operated as a provider of networking hardware from its base in San Jose, California. The company specialized in developing and manufacturing enterprise-grade routing systems tailored for mid-range and branch-office deployments.

The core of its business was centered on enabling enterprises to utilize multi-megabit Internet access. To achieve this, Tasman Networks produced a portfolio of wide-area network (WAN) IP routers and converged service routers. Its product line, which included the 1000 Series and 3120 routers, was designed to deliver secure WAN traffic for enterprise branch and remote offices, supporting critical real-time applications like voice, video, and streaming media. The 3120 Converged Services Router was noted for its performance in securely and quickly handling the large volumes of small data packets typical of IP telephony.

The company's business model revolved around the sale of this physical communication equipment to service providers and global carriers. Over its lifespan, the venture-capital-backed firm successfully raised a total of $93 million in funding across four rounds, with its final Series G round in May 2004 securing $14.4 million. Key institutional investors included InterWest Partners, New Enterprise Associates, and Mayfield.

A significant milestone in the company's history occurred on December 27, 2005, when it was acquired by Nortel Networks for approximately $99.5 million in cash. The acquisition was a strategic move by Nortel to bolster its own portfolio of secure enterprise routers and strengthen its position in the market for converged IP telephony and multimedia networks. Following the acquisition, Tasman's products were integrated into Nortel's Secure Router line, and its 160 employees were transitioned into the Nortel organization.