services group

Arista Networks on Thursday announced the startup has landed two big executive fish: Jayshree Ullal and Andreas Bechtolsheim. Arista, formerly known as Arastra, a vendor of high-performance 10Gbit Ethernet and cloud networking solutions, is looking to give Cisco Systems a run for its money.

Hewlett-Packard will acquire computer consulting firm Electronic Data Systems for $13.9 billion, the companies announced Tuesday. The purchase moves HP closer to head-to-head competition with IBM in the IT-services business.

The acquisition -- the largest since HP acquired Compaq under the leadership of Carly Fiorina -- marks a huge expansion in HP's services business. Combined, HP and EDS did $38 billion in services business in 2007, double HP's current business. HP will pay $25 for each share of EDS common stock.

Hewlett Packard will acquire computer consulting firm Electronic Data Systems for $13.9 billion, the companies announced Tuesday. The purchase moves HP closer to head-to-head competition with IBM in the IT-services business.

The acquisition -- the largest since HP acquired Compaq under the leadership of Carly Fiorina -- marks a huge expansion in HP's services business. Combined, HP and EDS did $38 billion in services business in 2007, double HP's current business. HP will pay $25 for each share of EDS common stock.