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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Network Appliance, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated May 16, 2000 (June 13,
2000 as to Note 11), appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Network
Appliance, Inc. for the year ended April 30, 2000.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Deloitte & Touche LLP

San Jose, California
March 19, 2001