UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  ----------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

       Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): November 18, 2003

                                  -----------------


                             Network Appliance, Inc.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                    0-27130                77-0307520
 (State or other jurisdiction of       (Commission           (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)      File Number)       Identification Number)

                               495 East Java Drive
                               Sunnyvale, CA 94089
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                                 (408) 822-6000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Item 12.

     The  information  is furnished  pursuant to "Item 12. Results of Operations
and Financial  Condition" in accordance  with SEC Release No. 33-8216 (March 27,
2003).

     On November  18,  2003,  Network  Appliance,  Inc.  issued a press  release
announcing  its  earnings  for the second  quarter  fiscal year 2004.  The press
release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished on this Form 8-K.


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended,  the  registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


November 18, 2003                        By:   /s/    Steven Gomo
                                               ----------------------------
                                                     Steven J. Gomo
                                                Chief Financial Officer




- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Index to Exhibits

Exhibit   Description
- -------   -----------

  99.1    Press release of Network Appliance, Inc. issued on November 18, 2003.

                                                                  Exhibit 99.1

Network Appliance Announces Results for Second Quarter Fiscal Year
2004; Eighth Consecutive Quarter of Growth

    SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 18, 2003--Network
Appliance, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTAP) today announced results for the second
quarter of fiscal year 2004. Revenues for the second fiscal quarter
were $275.6 million, an increase of 28% compared to revenues of $215.2
million for the same period a year ago and a 6% increase compared to
$260.5 million in the prior quarter.
    For the second quarter, GAAP net income increased 206% to $48.4
million, or $0.13 per share(1) compared to GAAP net income of $15.8
million, or $0.05 per share for the same period in the prior year.
GAAP net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2004 includes a
non-recurring tax benefit of $16.8 million, or approximately $0.045
per share, associated with a favorable foreign tax ruling, which
transpired during the current quarter. Pro forma(2) net income for the
second quarter increased 92% to $33.6 million, or $0.09 per share,
compared to pro forma net income of $17.5 million, or $0.05 per share
for the same period a year ago.
    Revenues for the first six months of the current fiscal year
totaled $536.1 million, compared to revenues of $422.0 million for the
first six months of the prior fiscal year.
    For the first six months of the current fiscal year, GAAP net
income was $75.5 million, or $0.21 per share, compared with income of
$32.0 million, or $0.09 per share for the same period in the prior
year. Pro forma net income for the first six months of the current
fiscal year totaled $62.4 million, or $0.17 per share, compared to pro
forma net income of $35.5 million, or $0.10 per share for the first
six months of the prior fiscal year.
    "I am very pleased with our results and our continued growth,
which exceeded 25% year-over-year for the second consecutive quarter,"
said Dan Warmenhoven, Chief Executive Officer at Network Appliance.
"Our entry-level FAS systems achieved significant market momentum, and
we continue to lead in enterprise iSCSI storage systems. We have
expanded SnapLock(TM) for general enterprise as well as regulatory
compliance needs. Most importantly, our growth reflects our strong
customer commitment, growing services expertise, and sales emphasis on
enterprise accounts."

    Quarterly Highlights

    In the second quarter of fiscal year 2004, Network Appliance
continued to reinforce its position as a storage leader by expanding
its iSCSI, unified storage, and NearStore(R) solutions, extending its
partnerships with other technology leaders, and winning customers
across all target industries.
    The company reaffirmed its commitment to iSCSI technology by
becoming the first to support Windows(R), Novell(R), NetWare(R), and
Linux(R) native iSCSI initiators on Intel(R) technology-based
platforms, enabling customers to share and network more of their data
currently in direct-attached configurations using their existing
network infrastructures. In addition, Network Appliance announced its
program to qualify iSCSI adapter vendors as NetApp(R) supported
solutions in conjunction with NetApp iSCSI storage systems, allowing
vendors to develop affordable, certified, and interoperable storage
consolidation solutions.
    During the second quarter, customers worldwide also chose Network
Appliance to store, manage, protect, and consolidate a wide range of
data. Unified storage, iSCSI, SAN, and NAS wins included 1-800
CONTACTS, Antwerp Municipal Port Authority, Bacardi, Bronson
Healthcare, DHL International, Egmont IT, National Instruments,
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, TF1, U.S. Department
of State, and Xerox Corporation. NearStore customer wins included
Constellation Energy Group, Discovery Communications, Inc., L'Equipe,
Magellan Health, and The College Board.
    The company also expanded its data protection and regulatory
compliance initiatives by extending the SnapLock solutions for
regulated data and data permanence storage. Network Appliance
introduced SnapLock Compliance, which meets the storage safeguards
required by SEC Rule 17a-3 and 17a-4. Network Appliance also released
SnapLock Enterprise, which provides customers with the assurance that
important data and business records remain accurate, safe, accessible,
and unmodified. In addition, Network Appliance teamed up with Decru
DataFort(TM) and MDY Advanced Technologies to achieve U.S. Department
of Defense 5015.2-STD certification for electronic records management
applications, enabling defense users to meet stringent data protection
and shredding regulations regarding national security.
    During the quarter, Network Appliance reinforced its commitment to
partners by launching the NetApp Partner Program to support the
companies who continue to play an integral role in developing and
expanding Network Appliance's enterprise solutions and services. The
program enables partners to more tightly integrate and synergize their
products and services for optimal performance in NetApp environments
by providing the tools, training, collateral, education programs, and
online partner and support portals to assist them in addressing the
end user needs.
    The company also extended its strategic partnership with Fujitsu
Siemens Computers to deliver integrated server and storage solutions
for Oracle database technology to European customers. In addition,
Network Appliance signed an agreement with VERITAS Software
Corporation expanding their strategic partnership to cooperatively
develop and deliver integrated solutions for customers through joint
sales and marketing and cooperative technical support.

    Footnotes:

    1. Earnings per share represents the diluted number of shares for
all periods presented.
    2. Pro forma results exclude amortization of intangible assets,
stock compensation, restructuring charges, net gain or loss on
investments, gain on sale of intangible assets, and the related
effects on income taxes, as well as the benefit of a non-recurring
foreign tax ruling.

    Acquisition Highlights

    On November 4, 2003, Network Appliance signed a merger agreement
with Spinnaker Networks, Inc., a privately held company based in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for approximately $300 million in an
all-stock transaction. The software technology acquisition reaffirms
the Network Appliance business model and accelerates the company's
vision for a storage grid future, enabling customers to leverage more
value from their storage and data infrastructures. The transaction is
expected to close in January 2004.

    Conference Call Information

    The NetApp quarterly results conference call will be broadcast
live via the Internet from the investors section of Network
Appliance's Web site at http://investors.netapp.com on Tuesday,
November 18, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time. The conference call will
also be available live in a listen-only format at (800) 257-2101 in
the United States and (303) 262-0075 outside the United States. A
replay will be available for 72 hours following completion of the live
call by dialing (800) 405-2236 in the United States, and (303)
590-3000 outside the United States, replay code 556284.

    About Network Appliance

    Network Appliance is a world leader in unified storage solutions
for today's data-intensive enterprise. Since its inception in 1992,
Network Appliance has delivered technology, product, and partner
firsts that continue to drive "The evolution of storage.(TM)"
Information about Network Appliance solutions and services is
available at www.netapp.com.

    NetApp is a registered trademark and Network Appliance,
NearStore, SnapLock, and The evolution of storage are trademarks of
Network Appliance, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other
brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective holders and should be treated as such.

    Network Appliance Usage of Pro Forma Financials

    The Company refers to the non-GAAP financial measures cited above
in making operating decisions because they provide meaningful
supplemental information regarding the Company's operational
performance. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate
management's internal comparisons to the Company's historical
operating results and comparisons to competitors' operating results.
We include these non-GAAP financial measures in our earnings
announcement because we believe they are useful to investors in
allowing for greater transparency with respect to supplemental
information used by management in its financial and operational
decision-making. In addition, we have historically reported similar
non-GAAP financial measures to our investors and believe that the
inclusion of comparative numbers provides consistency in our financial
reporting at this time.

    "Safe Harbor" Statement under U.S. Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meeting of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements include comments regarding our continued position as a
storage leader, our ability to meet regulatory standards in certain of
the markets we serve, market acceptance of unified storage and other
Network Appliance solutions and expected benefits of the proposed
acquisition with Spinnaker Networks. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary.
Factors that could impact our ability to achieve our goals include
general economic and industry conditions, including expenditure trends
for storage related products, our ability to deliver new product
architectures and products which meet market acceptance, our ability
to design products which compete effectively from a price and
performance perspective, our ability to successfully complete and
integrate our proposed acquisition of Spinnaker Networks and other
important factors as described in Network Appliance, Inc.'s reports
and documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including our most recently submitted 10-K and 10-Q.

    Note to Shareholder.com: NTAP - FIN



                        NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)
                              (Unaudited)

                                               October 31,   April 30,
                                                   2003        2003
                                               ----------- -----------

    ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
    Cash and cash equivalents                  $  315,060  $  284,161
    Short-term investments                        407,035     334,677
    Accounts receivable, net                      160,861     151,637
    Inventories                                    36,831      31,559
    Prepaid expenses and other                     23,965      24,014
    Deferred income taxes                          27,942      27,444
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total current assets                      971,694     853,492

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net                       361,955     362,862

GOODWILL                                           48,212      48,212
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net                              8,641       2,954
OTHER ASSETS                                       53,356      51,653
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $1,443,858  $1,319,173
                                               =========== ===========

     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
    Accounts payable                           $   41,054  $   39,600
    Income taxes payable                           11,875      30,256
    Accrued compensation and related benefits      45,609      40,647
    Other accrued liabilities                      46,252      43,841
    Deferred revenue                              125,588     110,672
                                               ----------- -----------
        Total current liabilities                 270,378     265,016

LONG-TERM DEFERRED REVENUE                         83,483      63,698
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS                               4,781       3,102
                                               ----------- -----------
                                                  358,642     331,816
                                               ----------- -----------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                            1,085,216     987,357
                                               ----------- -----------
                                               $1,443,858  $1,319,173
                                               =========== ===========



                        NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)

                                  Quarter Ended     Six Months Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,  Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,
                                  2003      2002      2003      2002
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

REVENUES:
   Product revenue             $249,532  $193,357  $485,318  $380,097
   Service revenue               26,018    21,814    50,741    41,902
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
       Total revenues           275,550   215,171   536,059   421,999
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
COST OF REVENUES:
   Cost of product revenue       88,090    67,378   173,129   131,033
   Cost of service revenue       22,397    14,803    41,744    30,261
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
       Total cost of revenues   110,487    82,181   214,873   161,294
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
GROSS MARGIN                    165,063   132,990   321,186   260,705
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Sales and marketing          82,185    76,207   161,541   148,109
    Research and development     31,513    28,373    63,054    56,241
    General and
     administrative              12,728     9,132    24,993    16,570
    Stock compensation              893       885     1,547     1,868
    Restructuring charges         1,110         -     1,110         -
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
        Total operating
         expenses               128,429   114,597   252,245   222,788
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS           36,634    18,393    68,941    37,917

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net:
    Interest income               2,831     2,880     5,876     6,031
    Other expense, net           (1,209)     (189)   (1,256)   (1,189)
    Net gain/(loss) on
     investments                      -         -       145      (726)
    Gain on sale of
     intangible asset                 -         -         -       604
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
          Total other income,
           net                    1,622     2,691     4,765     4,720
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES       38,256    21,084    73,706    42,637

PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM)
 INCOME TAXES                   (10,157)    5,271    (1,780)   10,659
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

NET INCOME                     $ 48,413  $ 15,813  $ 75,486  $ 31,978
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

NET INCOME PER SHARE:
    BASIC                      $   0.14  $   0.05  $   0.22  $   0.10
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    DILUTED                    $   0.13  $   0.05  $   0.21  $   0.09
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

SHARES USED IN PER SHARE
 CALCULATION:
    BASIC                       343,725   336,605   342,706   336,194
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    DILUTED                     364,715   347,110   361,606   348,616
                               ========= ========= ========= =========



                        NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
       PRO FORMA(1) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)

                                 Quarter Ended      Six Months Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,  Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,
                                  2003      2002      2003      2002
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

REVENUES
   Product revenue             $249,532  $193,357  $485,318  $380,097
   Service revenue               26,018    21,814    50,741    41,902
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
        Total revenues          275,550   215,171   536,059   421,999
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
COST OF REVENUES
   Cost of product revenue       86,726    66,014   170,401   128,283
   Cost of service revenue       22,397    14,803    41,744    30,261
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
        Total cost of revenues  109,123    80,817   212,145   158,544
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
GROSS MARGIN                    166,427   134,354   323,914   263,455
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

OPERATING EXPENSES:
    Sales and marketing          82,185    76,207   161,541   148,109
    Research and development     31,513    28,373    63,054    56,241
    General and
     administrative              12,728     9,132    24,993    16,570
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
        Total operating
         expenses               126,426   113,712   249,588   220,920
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS           40,001    20,642    74,326    42,535

OTHER INCOME, net                 1,622     2,691     4,620     4,842
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES       41,623    23,333    78,946    47,377

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES        7,995     5,833    16,579    11,844
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME                     $ 33,628  $ 17,500  $ 62,367  $ 35,533
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
    BASIC                      $   0.10  $   0.05  $   0.18  $   0.11
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    DILUTED                    $   0.09  $   0.05  $   0.17  $   0.10
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

SHARES USED IN PER SHARE
 CALCULATION:
    BASIC                       343,725   336,605   342,706   336,194
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    DILUTED                     364,715   347,110   361,606   348,616
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

(1) Pro forma results of operations exclude amortization of intangible
assets, stock compensation, restructuring charges net gain/loss on
investments, gain on sale of intangible asset and the related effects
on income taxes, as well as an income tax benefit from a non-recurring
foreign tax ruling.



                        NETWORK APPLIANCE, INC.
                  RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP AND GAAP
          IN THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
               (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (Unaudited)

                                 Quarter Ended      Six Months Ended
                               ------------------- -------------------
                                Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,  Oct. 31,  Oct. 25,
                                  2003      2002      2003      2002
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------

SUMMARY RECONCILIATION OF
 NET INCOME:

NET INCOME                     $ 48,413  $ 15,813  $ 75,486  $ 31,978

Adjustments:
    Amortization of
     intangible assets            1,364     1,364     2,728     2,750
    Stock compensation              893       885     1,547     1,868
    Restructuring charges         1,110         -     1,110         -
    Net (gain)/loss on
     investments                      -         -      (145)      726
    Gain on sale of
     intangible asset                 -         -         -      (604)
    Income tax effect            (1,321)     (562)   (1,528)   (1,185)
    Income tax benefit from
     foreign tax ruling         (16,831)        -   (16,831)        -
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA NET INCOME           $ 33,628  $ 17,500  $ 62,367  $ 35,533
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

DILUTED PRO FORMA NET INCOME
 PER SHARE                     $   0.09  $   0.05  $   0.17  $   0.10
                               ========= ========= ========= =========
SHARES USED IN DILUTED
 PRO FORMA NET INCOME
 PER SHARE CALCULATION:         364,715   347,110   361,606   348,616
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

DETAILED RECONCILIATION OF
 SPECIFIC ITEMS:

COST OF REVENUES               $110,487  $ 82,181  $214,873  $161,294
Adjustment:
    Amortization of
     intangible assets           (1,364)   (1,364)   (2,728)   (2,750)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA COST OF REVENUES     $109,123  $ 80,817  $212,145  $158,544
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

GROSS MARGIN                   $165,063  $132,990  $321,186  $260,705
Adjustment:
    Amortization of
     intangible assets            1,364     1,364     2,728     2,750
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA GROSS MARGIN         $166,427  $134,354  $323,914  $263,455
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

OPERATING EXPENSES             $128,429  $114,597  $252,245  $222,788
Adjustments:
    Stock compensation             (893)     (885)   (1,547)   (1,868)
    Restructuring charges        (1,110)        -    (1,110)        -
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA OPERATING EXPENSES   $126,426  $113,712  $249,588  $220,920
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS         $ 36,634  $ 18,393  $ 68,941  $ 37,917
Adjustments:
    Amortization of
     intangible assets            1,364     1,364     2,728     2,750
    Stock compensation              893       885     1,547     1,868
    Restructuring charges         1,110         -     1,110         -
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA INCOME FROM
 OPERATIONS                    $ 40,001  $ 20,642  $ 74,326  $ 42,535
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

TOTAL OTHER INCOME, NET        $  1,622  $  2,691  $  4,765  $  4,720
Adjustments:
    Net (gain)/loss on
     investments                      -         -      (145)      726
    Gain on sale of
     intangible asset                 -         -         -      (604)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA TOTAL OTHER
 INCOME, NET                   $  1,622  $  2,691  $  4,620  $  4,842
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES     $ 38,256  $ 21,084  $ 73,706  $ 42,637
Adjustments:
    Amortization of
     intangible assets            1,364     1,364     2,728     2,750
    Stock compensation              893       885     1,547     1,868
    Restructuring charges         1,110         -     1,110         -
    Net (gain)/loss on
     investments                      -         -      (145)      726
    Gain on sale of
     intangible asset                 -         -         -      (604)
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA INCOME BEFORE
 INCOME TAXES                  $ 41,623  $ 23,333  $ 78,946  $ 47,377
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

PROVISION FOR (BENEFIT FROM)
 INCOME TAXES                  ($10,157) $  5,271   ($1,780) $ 10,659
Adjustments:
    Income tax effect             1,321       562     1,528     1,185
    Income tax benefit from
     foreign tax ruling          16,831         -    16,831         -
                               --------- --------- --------- ---------
PRO FORMA PROVISION FOR
 (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES   $  7,995  $  5,833  $ 16,579  $ 11,844
                               ========= ========= ========= =========

    CONTACT: Network Appliance
             Marla Dierkes, 408-822-3580 (Press)
             marla@netapp.com
             Billie Fagenstrom, 408-822-6428 (Investors)
             billief@netapp.com