GigaOM

Infiniband, despite all its promise has failed to live up to the hype. It has the support of some key backers like Dell Computer and Sun Microsystems but it is slow going for the new technology which in my opinion stands to revolutionize the datacenter and computing architecture.

It comes as no surprise that the consolidation in the Infiniband sector is beginning. This morning Auston-based Lane 15 Software and Westborough, MA-based Infiniswitch decided to merge. I think it is a good thing as both companies are best of breed in their individual categories. Lane 15 has the best management software while InfiniSwitch makes top notch switches. The merged company will operate under the name InfiniSwitch. According to a press release, as part of the merger, InfiniSwitch announced the completion of an additional round of venture financing.

According to Austin American Statesman, Initially Lane15 CEO Alisa Nessler was penciled in for the No. 2 job at the combined company. “Then in the final days before the deal was signed, the company’s board changed its mind. Board members liked Nessler’s software and marketing savvy, and decided she was a better fit for the top spot at the combined company,” Lane 15’s hometown paper reports. Infiniswitch’s head Don Zereski got the pink slip.

Current venture investors include: Austin Ventures, Bessemer Ventures, Columbia Capital, Convergent Ventures, Flagship Ventures, Index Ventures, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Moore Capital Management, and TL Ventures. Strategic investors include: Dell, HP-Compaq, Intel and Quanta Computer. Alisa Nessler, CEO and president of Lane15, was named CEO of the company and joins the Board of Directors. Rob Adams, of Austin Ventures, and Bernard Dalle, of Index Ventures, were elected new members to the Board of Directors.

Infiniband recently got a boost recently from Sanmina. According to Byte & Switch, “According to an industry insider familiar with the InfiniBand market, who requested anonymity, Sanmina is poised to be a major provider in the IB space. “It’s a good bet that Sanmina’s announcement foreshadows the true beginning of InfiniBand adoption among Tier 1 OEMs.”