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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-68917) of hi/fn, inc. our report dated October
25, 2000 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules,
which appears in this Form 10-K.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California
December 26, 2000



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