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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Bay Networks, Inc.
for the registration of 5,093,551 shares of its common stock and to the
incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated July 18, 1997 with
respect to the consolidated financial statements and the financial statement
schedule, of Bay Networks, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended June 30, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Palo Alto, California
January 16, 1998