EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
    As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 of our reports dated March
13, 1998 and December 9, 1998 included in Level One Communications,
Incorporated's Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 1997 and the Form 8-K/A
filed on December 16, 1998, respectively, and to all references to our Firm
included in this registration statement.
 
Arthur Andersen LLP
 
By: /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
   ----------------------------
 
Sacramento, California
December 16, 1998