Nicira (acquired by VMware)

Nicira was a company that developed technology to create virtual networks—digital versions of physical networks—using software. This allows businesses to manage and configure their network resources more flexibly and efficiently, often in cloud environments. VMware, a major player in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, acquired Nicira in 2012 to enhance its software-defined networking (SDN) offerings. Essentially, Nicira's technology enables organizations to automate and customize their network infrastructure through software, improving scalability, security, and agility without relying solely on traditional hardware.