Broadcom announced that it has finalized an agreement to acquire BroadLight for $230 million. The two companies share more than just similar names: both Broadcom and the Israeli-based Broadlight make chips designed for networking purposes, which is why it’s rather easy to tell how the latter’s IP will blend into the company’s existing portfolio.

“BroadLight was established in 2000 and has raised $55 million, according to TheMarker, from investors that include Azure Capital Partners, Benchmark Capital, Motorola Ventures and Star Ventures.

This would be Broadcom’s 10th acquisition in Israel, including Provigent, which it bought last year for $313 million.”

Last month Broadcom had another M&A development, when it officially gained ownership of NetLogic’s assets after a $3.4 billion transaction. The company faces growing competition from other vendors, and has been expanding in several directions. Mobile and wireless technology in particular are two segments we’ve seen a lot of activity from Broadcom lately; the networking solutions provider is working on strengthening support for Android via new SoCs, and it has several products on the drawing board based on the next generation WiFi standard.

Going back to the mergers and acquisitions space, the Middle East has become a hotspot for networking gear makers. Last week Cisco announced its plans to buyout the NDS Group, a maker of content streaming solutions with roots in Israel. The $5 billion deal will represent a very large push into the enterprise; Cisco’s key market after CEO John Chambers’ internal restructuring last year.  Even though the firm shut down two consumer video-related units within just months of each other – Flip and umi – it’s still very much interested in monetizing video on the other end of its business.