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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

       Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 4, 2003

                               AVOCENT CORPORATION
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

       DELAWARE                       000-30575                  91-2032368
(State of Incorporation)       (Commission File Number)       (I.R.S. Employer
                                                             Identification No.)

                              4991 CORPORATE DRIVE
                            HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35805
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices / Zip Code)

                                 (256) 430-4000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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Item 5. Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosures.

      On November 4, 2003,  Avocent  Corporation  publicly  disseminated a press
release  announcing a Plan and Agreement of Merger whereby  Avocent will acquire
Soronti,  Inc. subject to the approval of the Soronti shareholders and continued
due diligence.  The  information  contained in the press release is incorporated
herein by reference and filed as Exhibit 99.6 hereto.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.

      (c)   Exhibits.

            99.6  Press Release dated November 4, 2003.

                                    SIGNATURE

      Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       AVOCENT CORPORATION

Dated: November 4, 2003                By: /s/ Douglas E. Pritchett
                                           --------------------------------
                                           Douglas E. Pritchett
                                           Senior Vice President of Finance,
                                           Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

Document                                                           Page Nos.
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Press Release dated November 4, 2003..........................  Exhibit 99.6 - 1