Dell has completed its acquisition of California-based data centre networking company Force10 Networks.

Through the deal, Dell expects to broaden its networking portfolio to expand its virtual network services infrastructure.

Dell says the transaction will bring added earnings in the second half of next year, though it did not disclose a value for the deal.

Dell, which has acquired Compellent and EqualLogic earlier, said the current deal is its first move into networking equipment.

Dell said the addition of Force10’s technology will allow customers to transform network infrastructures into an open and scalable data centre and cloud computing fabric.

With the combination of Force10 and Dell’s current PowerConnect portfolio, the company aims to offer an efficient switching strategy for data centre, enterprise and campus/branch environments.

Dell Force10 provides applications designed for virtualising and automating conventional data centre and cloud networks.

Force10’s technology fits well with Dell’s existing data centre strategy and with its server, storage and systems management portfolio.

Dell Force10’s customers include Web 2.0 and Fortune 100 companies, Internet portals, global carriers, research laboratories and government organisations.

As part of the group’s bid to expand its enterprise presence, Dell also said that it expects to hire several hundred new workers in engineering, sales and marketing to support Force10’s growth, who will be based at its Silicon Valley R&D Centre.