Dell pays $1.4 billion for NH company

EqualLogic (www.equallogic.comjointly with Dell Inc announced a planned $1.4 billion sale. In its largest purchase to date, Dell plans to buy EqualLogic for approximately $1.4 billion in cash. Christopher Baldwin, a Charles River partner and EqualLogic board member, told The Associated Press the deal was the largest all-cash acquisition of a venture-backed startup. Most purchases include at least some stock as currency.

EqualLogic has developed a computer software architecture to virtualize computer memory storage. The high-performance storage area network technology - iSCSI SAN - represents the fastest growing part of the storage business and will strengthen Dell's leadership in simplifying and virtualizing IT for customers globally, the company said in a news release.

Internet SCSI, or iSCSI, allows for SCSI commands and storage traffic to occur over existing IP networks, which leads to lower costs, easier maintenance and simpler management. The ease of use is of particular interest to small and medium-sized businesses, the companies said.

EqualLogic had sales of $68 million last year and $91 million in the first nine months of this year, according to regulatory filings, The Associated Press reported. The company lost $1.9 million in the first nine months of this year, but earned a profit in the quarter ended Sept. 30, according to filings.

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