Network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc. says it's buying privately held NetSift Inc. of San Diego for approximately $30 million in cash and options.

Cisco says the NetSift acquisition will help it accelerate integration of additional packet processing capabilities into future core Cisco platforms, such as modular switching.

The acquisition is subject to various standard closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals, and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of Cisco's fiscal year 2005 ending July 30.

Upon close of the transaction, NetSift will become part of Cisco's Internet Systems Business Unit led by vice president and general manager Tom Edsall. NetSift was founded in June 2004 and has 15 employees.

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