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                                  EXHIBIT 20.2

       Press Release, dated August 14, 1996, regarding the resignation of Mr.
Michael McCloskey.
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                NETWORK APPLIANCE CFO LEAVES TO JOIN NEW COMPANY

       MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - AUGUST 14, 1996 - Daniel J. Warmenhoven, president
and chief executive officer of Network Appliance, Inc. (NASDAQ:NTAP) said today
that Michael McCloskey, chief financial officer and vice president of
operations, has decided to leave the Company to pursue another career
opportunity. McCloskey will continue to serve in these roles for several weeks
while the Company conducts a search for his successor.

       Network Appliance, also known as NetApp, supplies high-performance
network data access devices that provide fast, simple, reliable and
cost-effective file service for data-intensive network environments. Combining
specialized, proprietary software and standards-compliant hardware, the Company
pioneered the concept of the "network appliance," an extension of the industry
trend towards dedicated, specialized devices which perform a single networking
function, similar to the adoption of the router for network communications
management. Customers include leading organizations in the on-line services,
financial services, manufacturing and telecommunications industries, as well as
companies that design hardware and software. Products are available through the
Company's direct sales force and resellers worldwide. For more information,
visit the NetApp Website on the Internet at http://www.netapp.com.