Intel is to buy Shiva in a stock transaction valued at around $185 million. The deal gives Intel access to a product line which includes a range of small to medium business remote access and Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology. Shiva is to operate as part of the Intel Network Products division, and according to Intel will help the company to rapidly expand its sales in the small business and campus and branch office arenas. Shiva's areas of specialisation include ISDN/dial-up, WAN and VPN solutions, and it also comes with a ready-made customer base. "We engaged Shiva because of its talented people, innovative technology and well-developed channel," said Network Products Division general manager Mark Christensen. "Networking plays a strategic role in Intel's vision of a billion connected computers." Shiva will initially continue to sell its current product line, but Intel says its technology will ultimately be integrated into Intel's networking portfolio. ® Click for more stories