Cisco buys social network software

Cisco Systems Inc. said Monday that it had acquired software and workers from social networking technology company Utah Street Networks Inc., its second investment in the growing business of user-generated content.

Privately held Utah Street Networks operates Tribe.net and specializes in software to create and maintain online communities. It has seven employees based in San Francisco.

The software will be integrated into Cisco Media Solutions Group, San Jose-based Cisco said. Utah Street Networks employees will join Cisco to continue software development, it said.

The acquisition will not include the Tribe.net website. Other terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The move is part of Cisco’s strategy of acquiring small, niche technology companies to diversify from its traditional focus on telecom equipment.