Hyper9
Hyper9, a virtualization management software provider founded in Austin, Texas, was acquired by SolarWinds in January 2011.
Profile
Provides virtualization management software for VMware environments, now under SolarWinds.
Hyper9, a virtualization management software provider founded in Austin, Texas, was acquired by SolarWinds in January 2011. The company specialized in solutions for VMware environments, offering capacity planning, performance monitoring, and VM sprawl control. Its flagship product, Hyper9 Virtualization Manager, was rebranded as SolarWinds Virtualization Manager post-acquisition, integrating features like configuration management and chargeback automation.
The acquisition aimed to bolster SolarWinds' IT management portfolio, which already served over 97,000 customers globally. Hyper9's technology was notable for its ease of deployment, with claims of being operational within an hour. The company's founders and early team included individuals like Ryan Kruse, who developed core product features, and Jonathan M.
Reeve, PhD, who focused on virtualization optimization. Post-acquisition, Hyper9's operations were fully absorbed into SolarWinds, which continues to offer virtualization management tools as part of its broader IT infrastructure solutions. SolarWinds, a publicly traded company (NYSE: SWI), reported significant market traction, with its common stock held by non-affiliates valued at approximately $1.4 billion as of June 2011. The integration of Hyper9's technology into SolarWinds' suite marked a strategic move to address the growing demand for virtualization management in enterprise IT environments.
Who buys this
- IT departments in mid-to-large enterprises
- Public sector organizations managing virtualized infrastructures
- Managed service providers offering virtualization services
- Educational institutions with virtualized IT environments
Strengths and what to watch
Strengths
- Integration with SolarWinds' broader IT management suite post-acquisition.
- Rapid deployment capabilities, with claims of being operational within an hour.
- Comprehensive feature set including VM sprawl control and chargeback automation.
Watch for
- Dependence on SolarWinds' strategic priorities post-acquisition.
- Potential dilution of Hyper9's brand and technology within SolarWinds' larger portfolio.
- Competition from other virtualization management tools in a crowded market.
Key Information
- Founded
- 2007
- Headquarters
- Austin, Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Hyper9?
Hyper9 was acquired by SolarWinds in January 2011 and fully integrated into their IT management portfolio. The company's flagship product, Hyper9 Virtualization Manager, was rebranded as SolarWinds Virtualization Manager, maintaining its VMware-focused features like capacity planning and VM sprawl control while adding SolarWinds' broader IT management capabilities.
What features did Hyper9 offer for VMware environments?
Hyper9 specialized in VMware virtualization management with tools for capacity planning, performance monitoring, and VM sprawl control. Its solution included configuration management and chargeback automation, with rapid deployment capabilities claiming operational readiness within an hour. These features were later integrated into SolarWinds' Virtualization Manager post-acquisition.
Who uses Hyper9 virtualization tools?
Hyper9's virtualization management tools served mid-to-large enterprise IT departments, public sector organizations, managed service providers, and educational institutions. These customers typically managed complex VMware environments requiring performance monitoring, capacity planning, and VM sprawl control capabilities that Hyper9 specialized in before its SolarWinds integration.
How does SolarWinds Virtualization Manager compare to Hyper9's original product?
SolarWinds Virtualization Manager maintains Hyper9's core VMware management features while integrating with SolarWinds' broader IT management suite. The rebranded product added enterprise-scale capabilities to Hyper9's original rapid deployment model, which claimed one-hour operational readiness for virtualization monitoring and management tasks.
Who were the key people behind Hyper9?
Hyper9 was founded by a team including Ryan Kruse, who developed core product features, and Jonathan M. Reeve, PhD, focused on virtualization optimization. The Austin-based company's technical leadership specialized in VMware environment management before its 2011 acquisition by SolarWinds.
What are alternatives to Hyper9 for VMware management?
While SolarWinds Virtualization Manager continues Hyper9's legacy, alternatives include VMware's native tools like vRealize Suite, Veeam ONE, and Turbonomic. These solutions offer similar capabilities for VM performance monitoring, capacity planning, and sprawl control in enterprise VMware environments, with varying deployment models and integration approaches.
Sources
- www.hyper9.com — Hyper9's acquisition by SolarWinds and product rebranding.
- www.linkedin.com — Ryan Kruse's role in developing Hyper9's core features.
- www.linkedin.com — Jonathan M. Reeve's involvement in Hyper9's virtualization optimization products.
- www.sec.gov — SolarWinds' financial and operational context post-acquisition.