Juniper (Sunnyvale, Calif.), cofounded in 1996 by Pradeep Sindhu views the new center as an extension of its product development centers around the world.

Juniper's staff of 27 engineers includes 20 from another center center here that was closed by Allegro Networks Inc.

The center will develop routing protocols and embedded software. However, Ashok Krishnamurthi, executive vice president for product development, declined to disclose the total investment here or to provide a roadmap for the center.

The center will not initially work on any independent projects, Krishnamurthi said, adding that Juniper would continue to evaluate its Indian-based development efforts. Hardware development is also being considered.

The company has a subsidiary office in India and about 20 customers in the wireline and wireless segments, ranging from incumbent carriers to mobile service providers.

Juniper's largest rival, Cisco Systems, also has a large development center here that employs about 1,000 engineers.