Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2014/05/16/oracle_bites_green/

Oracle buys desktop software virtualiser GreenBytes

Gets better-than ZFS dedupe

By Chris Mellor

Posted in Channel, 16th May 2014 18:25 GMT

Oracle is buying desktop software virtualiser GreenBytes, which uses ZFS technology, for an undisclosed sum.

GreenBytes VDI software is based on ZFS and includes its own, highly rated deduplication engine and replication. It can run on flash hardware and, originally, GreenBytes sold a VDI flash appliance but got out if hardware in August last year. It was founded in 2007 by Bob Petrocelli, its current CEO, and Richard Petrocelli, a director, and took in some $37m in GreenBytes’s exec-contributed and VC funding.

That suggests that, unless the company was distressed, the backers could have a received an up to 4X - 5X payout, meaning $150 - $185m - that sounds a lot of cash for a SW-only VDI supplier, especially with Atlantis making waves in the market, and hybrid array makers like Nimble, Tegile and Tintri pushing VDI hard.

We haven’t had any recent announcements from GreenBytes about its business progress and so cannot tell if it was doing well or badly. There might be some distress here which would reduce the amount of cash or shares that Oracle paid.

The deal announcement said GreenBytes’ technology ”is expected to enhance Oracle's ZFS Storage Appliances, and that could mean the ZFS appliance getting GreenBytes’ deduplication engine. Oracle said it “is currently reviewing the existing GreenBytes product roadmap” and will be providing guidance to customers at some point.

The deal is expected to close by the mid-year point. ®