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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 JYaZn+8otpF6a6JaA/F+72vqzzW04Oo0fC/1smwKWefW7tRcr+EDue+lnBkUU7GB
 k8qxdgQRQ1ifiJaQMxEyfw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001249323-04-000090.txt : 20040716
<SEC-HEADER>0001249323-04-000090.hdr.sgml : 20040716
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040716171456
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001249323-04-000090
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040714
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040716

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LESLIE MARK
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000939492

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-27130
		FILM NUMBER:		04918641

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		738 WESTRIDGE DRIVE
		CITY:			PORTOLA VALLEY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94028
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6505611228

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NETWORK APPLIANCE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001002047
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER STORAGE DEVICES [3572]
		IRS NUMBER:				770307520
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		495 EAST JAVA DR
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94089
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4088226000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		495 EAST JAVA DR
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94089
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgardoc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-14</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001002047</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NETWORK APPLIANCE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NTAP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000939492</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LESLIE MARK</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>LESLIE VENTURES</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>738 WESTRIDGE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PORTOLA VALLEY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94028</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>17.86</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>55000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-07-13</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>55000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option shares are immediately exercisable as of the grant date and shall initially be unvested and subject to repurchase by the corporation at the exercise price per share. Optionee shall acquire a vested interest in 25,000 shares upon the completion of one year of Board service measured from the grant date; and the balance of the shares in a series of three equal annual installments of 10,000 shares upon the completion of each year of Board service over the three-year period measured from the first anniversary of the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Janice Mahoney by Power of Attorney  For: Mark Leslie</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-07-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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