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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001249323-06-000131.txt : 20060905
<SEC-HEADER>0001249323-06-000131.hdr.sgml : 20060904
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060905134319
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001249323-06-000131
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060831
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060905
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060905

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

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:		061073453

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		738 WESTRIDGE DRIVE
		CITY:			PORTOLA VALLEY
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94028
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6505611228
</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>2006-08-31</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>34.24</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-08-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-08-30</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option is immediately exercisable, but any shares purchased under the option will be subject to repurchase by the Company at the option exercise price paid per share, upon the Optionee's cessation of Board service prior to vesting in those shares.  The shares will vest upon the Optionee's continuation in Board service through the day immediately preceding the next Annual Stockholders Meeting following the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Janice Mahoney by Power of Attorney  For: Mark Leslie</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-09-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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