1 EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Network Appliance, Inc.: We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 33-99638, 333-25277 and 333-40307 on Form S-8 of our report dated May 8, 1998 (July 17, 1998 as to Note 11), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Network Appliance, Inc. for the year ended April 30, 1998. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP San Jose, California July 17, 1998