<PAGE>   1


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of Network Appliance, Inc. on Form S-3 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, and to the
reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of
this Registration Statement.


/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE, LLP


San Jose, California
July 10, 2000



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission