Cisco buys Cognio to block wireless interference

Cisco will add Cognio's technology to its wireless networking business unit

Cisco has agreed to purchase privately held Cognio, a firm specialising in wireless spectrum analysis.

Cognio's hardware and software help administrators to troubleshoot wireless networks and pinpoint possible sources of interference. Cisco expects to roll the technology into its wireless networking business unit.

The ability to better manage wireless networks will be a key feature for Cisco's products, according to Brett Galloway, vice president and general manager of Cisco's wireless networking unit.

"Cognio's innovation in spectrum intelligence will help ensure that Cisco continues to differentiate its ability to deliver rich and dependable end-user mobility experiences," he said.

Radio interference has replaced security risks as the "worst enemy" of wireless networks, claimed Pat Calhoun, chief technology officer for Cisco's Ethernet and wireless technology group, on a company blog.

"Interference is one of those things that is really tricky to identify and resolve," he wrote.

Calhoun added that the Cognio technology will allow Cisco's wireless hardware to monitor interference, and specifically to diagnose the cause of the problems.

"With this new technology we will be able to tell you about that new wireless video camera that one of your users installed to finally catch the person that's been stealing his chocolate chip cookies," he said.

Cisco hopes to finalise the acquisition by the close of its fiscal quarter at the end of October. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.