Access infrastructure solutions provider, Citrix Systems, Inc has signed an agreement to acquire NetScaler, Inc., a high-performance application networking player. The transaction is valued at approximately US$300 million in cash and stock, plus the assumption of approximately US$23 million in unvested stock options. The deal is expected to close in 3Q 2005 subject to conditions and regulatory approvals. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Citrix has offices in 22 countries and approximately 6,200 channel and alliance partners in more than 100 countries.

Multiplex is reported to be selling its stake in Global Switch, the London-based data centre company it part-acquired through last year's buyout of Chelsfield in the UK. Global Switch, which runs data warehousing centres that provide data storage room and satellite services, is 75 per cent owned by Aldersgate, Multiplex's joint venture with the Reuben brothers. Morley Fund Management owns the remainder.