Network General

Network General Corporation
FormerlyNetwork Associates (1997–2004)
Company typePublic
IndustryComputer networking
FoundedMay 13, 1986; 38 years ago (1986-05-13) in Menlo Park, California, United States
Founders
Defunct2007; 17 years ago (2007)
FateAcquired by McAfee Associates in 1997; assets spun-off in 2004; said assets acquired by NetScout Systems in 2007
Number of employees
≈ 1,000 (1995, peak)

Network General Corporation was an American technology company active between 1986 and 2007 and based in Silicon Valley. Founded in 1986 by Harry Saal and Len Shustek to develop and market network packet and protocol analyzers, the company's flagship product, the Sniffer was the market leader in its field for many years. In 1997, Network General was acquired by McAfee Associates (MCAF) for $1.3 billion, and the two companies merged to form Network Associates. In 2004, Network Associates sold off most of the patents originally belonging to Network General to a group of investors including Saal, who founded a new Network General Corporation. In 2007, NetScout Systems acquired the new Network General for $205 million.