Austin-based SolarWinds, which makes network management and monitoring software, has been shoring up the board of directors lately. John Thornton of Austin Ventures was added in February, and Salesforce.com CFO Steven Cakebread was announced as another board addition in early February. It’s a pretty odd move for a private company. Unless of course you need enough outside directors to fill up an audit committee, a compensation committee, etc. It would be a big, bold move considering the state of the financial markets. If we see a press release next week with quarterly revenue numbers, then we’ll definitely know that they’re conditioning the market for an IPO.

What would be a good NASDAQ symbol? WIND is taken by Wind River Systems. SOLR? Already taken by Solar-Mates. SLRW seems available. Post your suggestions in the comments.