Infonetics: ADC, WAN Optimization Markets Decelerate in Q3; Virtualization to Boost Growth Down the Road

Perennial leader Riverbed again dominated the WAN optimization segment in 3Q12, with almost 3/5 market share; Cisco remains solidly in 2nd place. (Graphic: Infonetics Research)

CAMPBELL, Calif.--()--Market research firm Infonetics Research released preliminary results for the application delivery controller (ADC) and wide area network (WAN) optimization markets from its 3rd quarter 2012 (3Q12) Data Center Network Equipment report. (Full report published December 7.)

ANALYST NOTE

"While ADCs and WAN optimization appliances posted modest revenue gains in the 3rd quarter, the pace of growth in these segments decelerated year-over-year," notes Sam Barnett, directing analyst for data center and cloud at Infonetics Research. “Top-line revenue growth in the ADC market is slowing due to the lower ASPs associated with virtual solutions versus their hardware-based counterparts, and saturation at the high end of the WAN optimization market is pressuring near-term growth.”

“That said,” Barnett adds, “We believe this will change as more virtualized solutions enter the mainstream, helping to restore higher levels of overall growth to the WAN optimization and application delivery controllers markets.”

DATA CENTER NETWORK EQUIPMENT MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

  • Worldwide ADC revenue rose 5% in 3Q12 from 2Q12, but year-over-year (YoY) growth decelerated again and now stands at +6%, falling from +27% YoY growth in 3Q11
  • F5 continues to lead the pack in ADCs, capturing nearly half of 3Q12 revenue; Citrix and Cisco round out the top 3 market share slots
  • Cisco recently announced its intention to exit the ADC market, presenting an opportunity for F5 and Citrix to grow market share going forward
  • WAN optimization revenue grew 3% sequentially in 3Q12, but is down 4% from the year-ago 3rd quarter
  • Perennial leader Riverbed again dominated the WAN optimization segment in 3Q12, with almost 3/5 market share; Cisco remains solidly in 2nd place

REPORT SYNOPSIS

Infonetics’ quarterly data center network equipment report provides worldwide and regional market size, vendor market share, forecasts, analysis, and trends for data center Ethernet switches (general purpose, purpose-built, and blade switches), ADCs, and WAN optimization appliances. Companies tracked include Alcatel-Lucent, Blue Coat, Brocade, Cisco, Citrix, Dell, F5, HP, IBM (BNT), Juniper, Radware, Riverbed, and others. To buy the report, contact Infonetics Sales: http://www.infonetics.com/contact.asp.

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Contacts

Infonetics Research
Sam Barnett, +1 408-583-3325
Directing Analyst, Data Center and Cloud
sam@infonetics.com

Release Summary

Third quarter data center equipment market trends, stats, vendor standings, outlook. Focus: wide area network optimization appliances, application delivery controllers. Cisco, Riverbed, F5, Citrix

Contacts

Infonetics Research
Sam Barnett, +1 408-583-3325
Directing Analyst, Data Center and Cloud
sam@infonetics.com