U.S. network security firm Infoblox Inc (BLOX.N) has launched a process to sell itself after it received buyout interest from private equity firms and it came under pressure from activist fund Starboard Value LP, people familiar with the matter said.

Were Infoblox to agree a sale to a buyout firm, it would be the latest in a string of business software companies to go private this year, often after they come under criticism from activist investors over their poor financial performance.

Thoma Bravo LLC, which had approached the company earlier this year about a potential acquisition, is one of the buyout firms that are participating in an auction for Infoblox, the people said this week, cautioning that no deal is certain.

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