But each of the three's desire to shape the landscape on which all them do business has put them in conflict. By linking together several proprietary networks, as well as developing the technology to facilitate the links, the alliance hopes to create a broader reach than Akamai has already developed on its own. The products, available in October, come from in-house development and technology recently acquired when it bought ArrowPoint Communications, SightPath and Tasmania Network Systems. Mirror Image Internet, which competes against Akamai, uses equipment from both Inktomi and Cisco in its networks. But it would be easier if they came together under one umbrella.
Analysts say the service providers that are supporting both efforts are simply hedging their bets.
In this emerging market, they want to cover as many bases as they can because Inktomi and Cisco have a lot of influence. Howard said the two competing standards efforts by Inktomi and Cisco could eventually merge, but they will compete initially because each company is trying to sell its own products. But both Howard and Mirror Image's Alsen say merging standards efforts are unlikely because Inktomi and Cisco are competitors. And what we're trying to do is enable a standards effort that will benefit the industry at large. Inc. All rights reserved.