The deal gives a stronghold in the , though also pits the company even more directly vs. big companies such as Oracle, IBM and Microsoft. Sun foresees big opportunities for database sales into those building Web-based businesses. Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz also said that was nothing to sneeze at. 

Not surprisingly, the buyout has created something of a shakeup at MySQL, which has seen its or thinking about it. But MySQL faithful say they're generally optimistic about what , and in fact, Sun has announced several MySQL since the deal closed in February.

8. AT&T-Centennial Communications: $944 million

AT&T followed up its announced buyout of Wi-Fi specialist Wayport with the even bigger dollar acquisition of wireless service provider in early November. In purchasing Centennial, a regional provider of wireless communications services, AT&T says it will improve its wireless coverage in several rural areas in both the continental United States and in Puerto Rico.

9. Symantec-MessageLabs: $695 million