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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the registration of options to purchase 250,000 shares of
common stock and the registration of 250,000 shares of common stock under the
1997 non-executive officer stock option/stock issuance plan of ACT Networks,
Inc. of our report dated July 29, 1996 with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of ACT Networks, Inc. included in the Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 1996, filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.



                                                   /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

                                                   ERNST & YOUNG LLP


Woodland Hills, California
June 17, 1997


