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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT


        REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of January
18, 2000, by and among Auspex Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with
headquarters located at 2300 Central Expressway, Santa Clara, California
95050-2515 (the "COMPANY"), and the undersigned Buyers (individually a "BUYER"
and collectively the "BUYERS").

        WHEREAS:

        A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement of even date
herewith by and among the parties hereto (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, to issue and sell to the Buyers (i) 25,000 shares
of the Company's Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "PREFERRED SHARES"), which will be convertible into shares (as
converted, the "CONVERSION SHARES") of the Company's common stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), in accordance with the terms of the
Company's Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of its Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS"), and (ii)
warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the "WARRANTS" and, as exercised,
the "WARRANT SHARES").

        B. To induce the Buyers to execute and deliver the Securities Purchase
Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the "1933 ACT"), and
applicable state securities laws.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Buyers hereby agree as follows:

        1. DEFINITIONS.

               As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

               a. "INVESTOR" means a Buyer and any transferee or assignee
thereof to whom a Buyer assigns its rights under this Agreement and who agrees
to become bound by the provisions of this Agreement in accordance with Section
9.

               b. "PERSON" means an individual, a limited liability company, a
partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated
organization, a government or any department or agency thereof.

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               c. "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing one or more Registration
Statements (as defined below) in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to
Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for the offering for
resale of securities on a continuous or delayed basis ("RULE 415"), and the
declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such Registration Statement(s) by
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").

               d. "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means (i) the Conversion Shares
issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Shares, (ii) the Dividend
Shares (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) relating to the Preferred
Shares, (iii) Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants,
and (iv) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the
Conversion Shares, the Preferred Shares, the Dividend Shares relating to the
Preferred Shares, the Warrant Shares or the Warrants as a result of any stock
split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event or otherwise,
without regard to any limitations on conversions of the Preferred Shares or
exercises of Warrants; provided, however, that "Registrable Securities" shall
not include any securities that have been sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement or pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act, or any similar
rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the Investors to sell
securities of the Company to the public without registration ("RULE 144") .

               e. "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means a registration statement or
registration statements of the Company filed under the 1933 Act covering the
Registrable Securities.

        2. REGISTRATION.

               a. Mandatory Registration. The Company shall prepare, and, as
soon as practicable, but in no event later than the date which is 30 days after
the Closing Date (as defined in the Securities Purchase Agreement) (the "FILING
DEADLINE"), file with the SEC a Registration Statement or Registration
Statements (as necessary) on Form S-3 covering the resale of all of the
Registrable Securities. In the event that Form S-3 is unavailable for such a
registration, the Company shall use such other form as is available for such a
registration, subject to the provisions of Section 2(d). Any first Registration
Statement prepared pursuant hereto shall register for resale at least that
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of (y) the product of (i) 2
and (ii) the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares (without regard to any limitations on conversions) as of the
date immediately preceding the date the Registration Statement is initially
filed with the SEC, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(f), plus (z)
100% of the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants
(without regard to any limitations on exercise) as of the date immediately
preceding the date the Registration Statement is initially filed with the SEC,
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2(f). The Company shall cause such
Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as soon as possible,
but in no event later than the date which is 120 days after the Closing Date
(the "EFFECTIVENESS DEADLINE").

               b. Allocation of Registrable Securities. The initial number of
Registrable Securities included in any Registration Statement and each increase
in the number of Registrable



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Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors
based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time
the Registration Statement covering such initial number of Registrable
Securities or increase thereof is declared effective by the SEC. In the event
that an Investor sells or otherwise transfers any of such Investor's Registrable
Securities, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the then
remaining number of Registrable Securities included in such Registration
Statement for such transferor. Any shares of Common Stock included in a
Registration Statement and which remain allocated to any Person which ceases to
hold any Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement shall be
allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of
Registrable Securities then held by such Investors which are covered by such
Registration Statement.

               c. Legal Counsel. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Buyers holding
a majority of the Registrable Securities shall have the right to select one
legal counsel to review and oversee any offering pursuant to this Section 2
("LEGAL COUNSEL"), which shall be Katten Muchin & Zavis or such other counsel as
thereafter designated by the holders of a majority of Registrable Securities.
The Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the
Company's obligations under this Agreement.

               d. Ineligibility for Form S-3. In the event that Form S-3 is not
available for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities
hereunder, the Company shall (i) register the resale of the Registrable
Securities on another appropriate form and (ii) undertake to register the resale
of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 as soon as such form is available,
provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement then in effect until such time as a Registration Statement on Form S-3
covering the Registrable Securities has been declared effective by the SEC.

               e. Effect of Failure to File and Obtain and Maintain
Effectiveness of Registration Statement. If (i) a Registration Statement
covering all the Registrable Securities and required to be filed by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement is not (A) filed with the SEC on or before the
applicable Filing Deadline or (B) declared effective by the SEC on or before the
applicable Effectiveness Deadline or (ii) on any day after the Registration
Statement has been declared effective by the SEC, sales of all the Registrable
Securities required to be included on such Registration Statement cannot be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement (including, without limitation, because
of a failure to keep the Registration Statement effective, to disclose such
information as is necessary for sales to be made pursuant to the Registration
Statement, to register sufficient shares of Common Stock), then, as partial
relief for the damages to any holder by reason of any such delay in or reduction
of its ability to sell the underlying shares of Common Stock (which remedy shall
not be exclusive of any other remedies available at law or in equity), the
Company shall pay to each holder of Preferred Shares an amount in cash per
Preferred Share held equal to the product of (i) $1,000 multiplied by (ii) the
sum of (A) 0.015, if the Registration Statement is not filed by the Filing
Deadline, plus (B) 0.015, if the Registration Statement is not declared
effective by the Effectiveness Deadline, plus, (C) the product of (I) .0005
multiplied by (II) the sum of (x) the number of days after the Filing Deadline
that such Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC, plus (y) the number
of days after the Effectiveness Deadline that the Registration Statement is not
declared effective by the SEC, plus (z) the number of days after the
Registration Statement has been declared effective by the SEC that such
Registration Statement is



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not available for the sale of at least all the Registrable Securities required
to be included on such Registration Statement. The payments to which a holder
shall be entitled pursuant to this Section 2(e) are referred to herein as
"REGISTRATION DELAY PAYMENTS." Registration Delay Payments shall be paid on the
earlier of (I) the last day of the calendar month during which such Registration
Delay Payments are incurred and (II) the third business day after the event or
failure giving rise to the Registration Delayed Payments is cured. In the event
the Company fails to make Registration Delay Payments in a timely manner, such
Registration Delay Payments shall bear interest at the rate of 2.0% per month
(prorated for partial months) until paid in full.

               f. Sufficient Number of Shares Registered. In the event the
number of shares available under a Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2(a) is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities which
such Registration Statement is required to cover or an Investor's allocated
portion of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(b), the Company
shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration Statement (on
the short form available therefor, if applicable), or both, so as to cover at
least that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the sum of (x) the product
of (i) 2 and (ii) the number of Conversion Shares issuable upon conversion of
the Preferred Shares (without regard to any limitations on conversions) as of
the date immediately preceding the date such amendment or new Registration
Statement is filed with the SEC, plus (y) the number of Warrant Shares issuable
upon exercise of the Warrants (without regard to any limitations on exercise )
as of the date immediately preceding the date such amendment or new Registration
Statement is filed with the SEC, plus (z) the number of Conversion Shares and
Warrant Shares held by the Investors as of the date immediately preceding the
date such amendment or new Registration Statement is filed with the SEC , in
each case, as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than fifteen (15)
business days after the necessity therefor arises. The Company shall cause such
amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become effective as soon as
practicable following the filing thereof. For purposes of the foregoing
provision, the number of shares available under a Registration Statement shall
be deemed "insufficient to cover all of the Registrable Securities" if the
number of Registrable Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares and exercise of the Warrants covered by such Registration
Statement is greater than the sum of (a) the quotient determined by dividing (i)
the number of shares of Common Stock available for resale under the Registration
Statement to cover shares issued or issuable upon conversion of the Preferred
Shares by (ii) 1.5 and (b) the number of shares of Common Stock available for
resale under the Registration Statement to cover shares issued or issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants. For purposes of the calculation set forth in the
foregoing sentence, any restrictions on the convertibility of the Preferred
Shares or exercise of the Warrants shall be disregarded and such calculation
shall assume that the Preferred Shares are then convertible into, and the
Warrants are then exercisable for, shares of Common Stock at the then prevailing
Conversion Rate (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) or Exercise
Price (as defined in the Warrants), respectively.

        3. RELATED OBLIGATIONS.



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        At such time as the Company is obligated to file a Registration
Statement with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(f), the Company will effect
the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended
method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the
following obligations:

               a. The Company shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC a
Registration Statement with respect to the applicable Registrable Securities
(but in no event later than the Filing Deadline) and cause such Registration
Statement relating to the Registrable Securities to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing (but in no event later than the applicable
Effectiveness Deadline). The Company shall keep each Registration Statement
effective pursuant to Rule 415 at all times until the earlier of (i) the date as
of which the Investors may sell all of the Registrable Securities covered by
such Registration Statement without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k)
promulgated under the 1933 Act (or successor thereto) or (ii) the date on which
the Investors shall have sold all the Registrable Securities covered by such
Registration Statement (the "REGISTRATION Period"), which Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained
therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading. The Company shall submit to the SEC, within three business days
after the Company learns that no review of a particular Registration Statement
will be made by the staff of the SEC or that the staff has no further comments
on the Registration Statement, as the case may be, a request for acceleration of
effectiveness of such Registration Statement to a time and date not later than
48 hours after the submission of such request.

               b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection with such
Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
promulgated under the 1933 Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during
such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the
disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by such
Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities
shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration
Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement
which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to
this Section 3(b)) by reason of the Company filing a report on Form 10-K, Form
10-Q or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), the Company shall have incorporated such
report by reference into the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall
file such amendments or supplements with the SEC on the same day on which the
1934 Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend
or supplement the Registration Statement.

               c. The Company shall (a) permit Legal Counsel to review and
comment upon those sections of (i) the Registration Statement at least five (5)
business days prior to its filing with the SEC, and (ii) all other Registration
Statements and all amendments and supplements to all Registration Statements,
which are applicable to the Buyers (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any similar or
successor



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report and registration statements on Form S-8) at least four (4) business days
prior to the their filing with the SEC and (b) not file any document in a form
to which Legal Counsel reasonably objects. The Company shall not submit a
request for acceleration of the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto without the prior approval of Legal Counsel,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall furnish to
Legal Counsel, without charge, (i) any correspondence from the SEC or the staff
of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to any Registration
Statement, (ii) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one
copy of any Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including
financial statements and schedules and all exhibits and (iii) upon the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement, one copy of the prospectus included
in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto. The
Company shall reasonably cooperate with Legal Counsel in performing the
Company's obligations pursuant to this Section 3.

               d. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose Registrable
Securities are included in any Registration Statement, without charge, (i)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of
such Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, and all exhibits and each preliminary prospectus, (ii)
upon the effectiveness of any Registration Statement, ten (10) copies of the
prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and
supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as such Investor may
reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any
preliminary or final prospectus, as such Investor may reasonably request from
time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Investor.

               e. The Company shall (i) register and qualify, unless an
exemption from registration and qualification applies, the Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement under all jurisdiction's
securities or "blue sky" laws in the United States, (ii) prepare and file in
those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (w) make any change in the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
by-laws that the Company's board of directors determines in good faith to be
contrary to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, (x) qualify
to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this Section 3(e), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any
such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any
such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify Legal Counsel and each
Investor who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification
of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or "blue sky"
laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of
the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

               f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such event
or development, the Company shall notify Legal Counsel and each Investor in
writing of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus
included in a Registration Statement, as then in



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effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading (provided that in no event shall such notice contain any material,
nonpublic information), and promptly prepare a supplement or amendment to such
Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver
ten (10) copies of such supplement or amendment to Legal Counsel and each
Investor (or such other number of copies as Legal Counsel or such Investor may
reasonably request). The Company shall also promptly notify Legal Counsel and
each Investor in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or
any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such
effectiveness shall be delivered to Legal Counsel and each Investor by facsimile
on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for
amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related prospectus or
related information, and (iii) of the Company's reasonable determination that a
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.

               g. The Company shall prevent the issuance of any stop order or
other suspension of effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the suspension
of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction, however, if such an order or suspension is issued, the Company
shall obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest possible
moment and to notify Legal Counsel and each Investor who holds Registrable
Securities being sold of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof
or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding
for such purpose.

               h. At the reasonable request of any Investor and at the expense
of such Investor, the Company shall furnish to such Investor, on the date of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on
such dates as an Investor may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date,
from the Company's independent certified public accountants in form and
substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to
underwriters in an underwritten public offering, and (ii) an opinion, dated as
of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such
Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in
an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Investors.

               i. The Company shall make available for inspection, at the
expense of the Investor acting pursuant to this Section 3(i), by (i) any
Investor, (ii) Legal Counsel and (iii) one firm of accountants or other agents
retained by the Investors (collectively, the "INSPECTORS") all pertinent
financial and other records, and pertinent corporate documents and properties of
the Company (collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall be reasonably deemed
necessary by each Inspector, and cause the Company's officers, directors and
employees to supply all information which any Inspector may reasonably request;
provided, however, that each Inspector shall agree, and each Investor hereby
agrees, to hold in strict confidence and shall not make any disclosure (except
to an Investor) or use of any Record or other information which the Company
determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement or is otherwise required under the 1933 Act, (b) the release of such
Records is ordered pursuant to a final, non-appealable subpoena or order from a
court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c) the information in
such Records has been made generally available to the public other than



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by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement of which the Inspector
has knowledge. The Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential
information in such Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector
shall have entered into confidentiality agreements with the Company with respect
thereto, substantially in the form of this Section 3(i). Each Investor agrees
that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such Records is sought in or by
a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means,
give prompt notice to the Company and allow the Company, at its expense, to
undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective
order for, the Records deemed confidential.

               j. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any
disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless
(i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other final,
non-appealable order from a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction, (iv) such information has been made generally available to the
public other than by disclosure in violation of this Agreement or any other
agreement, or (v) such Investor consents to the form and content of any such
disclosure. The Company agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of
such information concerning an Investor is sought in or by a court or
governmental body of competent jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt
written notice to such Investor and allow such Investor, at the Investor's
expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain
a protective order for, such information.

               k. The Company shall either (i) cause all the Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each securities
exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company
are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then
permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and
quotation of all the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration
Statement on the Nasdaq National Market or The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
or, if the Company is unsuccessful in satisfying the preceding clause (i) or
(ii), the Company shall secure the inclusion for quotation on The American Stock
Exchange, Inc., or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market, for such Registrable Securities
and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to arrange for at least
two market makers to register with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect to such Registrable Securities. The
Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its
obligation under this Section 3(k).

               l. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered, and to the extent applicable, to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any
restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered
pursuant to a Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such
denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the Investors may reasonably
request and registered in such names as the Investors may request.

               m. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar of
all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such
Registration Statement.



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               n. If requested by an Investor, the Company shall (i) as soon as
practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment
such information as an Investor requests to be included therein relating to the
sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation,
information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered
or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the
offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering; (ii) as soon
as practicable make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated
in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement
or make amendments to any Registration Statement if reasonably requested by an
Investor of such Registrable Securities.

               o. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registrable Securities covered by the applicable Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities
as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable
Securities.

               p. The Company shall make generally available to its security
holders as soon as practical, but not later than 90 days after the close of the
period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying with the
provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering a twelve-month period
beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter next
following the effective date of the Registration Statement, provided that the
Company shall be deemed to satisfy its obligations under this Section 3(p) if it
timely makes all required filings under the 1934 Act and does not change its
fiscal year.

               q. The Company shall otherwise comply with all applicable rules
and regulations of the SEC in connection with any registration hereunder.

               r. Within two (2) business days after a Registration Statement
which covers applicable Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the SEC,
the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to
deliver, to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to
the Investors whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration
Statement) confirmation that such Registration Statement has been declared
effective by the SEC in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.

               s.     Intentionally Left Blank.

               t. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 3(f), at
any time after the applicable Registration Statement has been declared effective
by the SEC, the Company may delay the disclosure of material non-public
information concerning the Company the disclosure of which at the time is not,
in the good faith opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company and its
counsel, in the best interest of the Company and, in the opinion of counsel to
the Company, otherwise required (a "GRACE PERIOD"); provided, that the Company
shall promptly (i) notify the Investors in writing of the existence of material
non-public information giving rise to a Grace Period (provided that in each
notice the Company will not disclose the content of such material non-public
information to the Investors) and the date on which the Grace Period will begin,
and (ii) notify the Investors in writing of the date on which the Grace Period
ends; and, provided further, that no



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Grace Period shall exceed (I) 15 consecutive days for a Grace Period beginning
prior to or on the date which is one year after the Closing Date and (II) 15
consecutive business days for a Grace Period beginning after the date which is
one year after the Closing Date and provided that during any 365 day period such
Grace Periods shall not exceed an aggregate of 30 days (an "ALLOWABLE GRACE
PERIOD"). For purposes of determining the length of a Grace Period above, the
Grace Period shall begin on and include the date the holders receive the notice
referred to in clause (i) and shall end on and include the later of the date the
holders receive the notice referred to in clause (ii) and the date referred to
in such notice. The provisions of 3(g) hereof shall not be applicable during the
period of any Allowable Grace Period. Upon expiration of the Grace Period, the
Company shall again be bound by the first sentence of Section 3(f) with respect
to the information giving rise thereto unless such material non-public
information is no longer applicable.

        4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.

               a. At least seven (7) business days prior to the first
anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement, the Company shall notify
each Investor in writing of the information the Company reasonably requires from
each such Investor if such Investor elects to have any of such Investor's
Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement. It shall be a
condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to complete the
registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Registrable
Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall furnish to the
Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it
and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it
as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration of such Registrable
Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration
as the Company may reasonably request.

               b. Each Investor by such Investor's acceptance of the Registrable
Securities agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the
Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any Registration
Statement hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing of
such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.

               c. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the
Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g),
Section 3(t) or the first sentence of Section 3(f), such Investor will
immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to any
Registration Statement(s) covering such Registrable Securities until such
Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(g) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) or receipt of
notice that no supplement or amendment is required or that a Grace Period has
ended. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall, upon
Conversion of the Preferred Shares, exercise of the Warrants or receipt from an
Investor of relevant stock certificates for cancellation, cause its transfer
agent to deliver unlegended shares of Common Stock to a transferee of an
Investor in accordance with the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement in
connection with any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration
Statement or Rule 144 with respect to which an Investor has entered into a
contract for sale prior to the Investor's receipt of a notice from the Company
of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(g), Section
3(t) or the first sentence of Section 3(f) and for which the Investor has not
yet settled.



                                       10
<PAGE>   11

               d. Each Investor agrees, in connection with any sale or other
disposition by such Investor of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement, that such Investor will deliver the most recent version
of the prospectus received by such Investor from the Company prior to such sale
or disposition in accordance with and in the manner required by the 1933 Act and
all applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.

               All reasonable expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees
shall be paid by the Company. In addition, the Company shall reimburse the
Investors for the reasonable fees and disbursements of Legal Counsel in
connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2
and 3 of this Agreement which amount shall be limited to $10,000.

        6. INDEMNIFICATION.

               In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
Registration Statement under this Agreement:

               a. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and
hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend each Investor, the directors,
officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of, and each Person, if
any, who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT") (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities,
judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, amounts
paid in settlement or expenses, joint or several, (collectively, "CLAIMS")
incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit,
inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or
before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency,
body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified
party is or may be a party thereto ("INDEMNIFIED DAMAGES"), to which any of them
may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether
commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing
made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities
or other "blue sky" laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are
offered ("BLUE SKY FILING"), or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the
effective date of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final
prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made
therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were
made, not misleading or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the



                                       11
<PAGE>   12

Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without
limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder
relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to a
Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii)
being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to Section 6(c), the Company shall
reimburse the Investors and each such controlling person, promptly as such
expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any legal fees or
disbursements or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such Claim. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this
Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Indemnified Person
expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration
Statement or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto; (ii) shall not be
available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Investor to
deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the
Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to
Section 3(d); and (iii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim, if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Such indemnity shall
remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on
behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement
contained in this Section 6(a) with respect to any prospectus shall not inure to
the benefit of an Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of
material fact contained in the prospectus was corrected in the prospectus and
such new prospectus was delivered to each Investor prior to such Investor's use
of the prospectus to which the Claim relates.

               b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees to severally and not
jointly indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each
of its officers who signs the Registration Statement and each Person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act
(each an "INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which
any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise,
insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any
Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such
Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by such Investor expressly for use in connection with
such Registration Statement; and, subject to Section 6(d), such Investor will
reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection
with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the
indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with
respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid
in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior
written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be liable under
this Section 6(b) for only that amount of a Claim or Indemnified Damages as does
not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of the sale of
Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9. Notwithstanding
anything to the



                                       12
<PAGE>   13

contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this
Section 6(b) with respect to any prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of
any Indemnified Party if the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the prospectus was corrected and such new prospectus was delivered
to each Investor prior to such Investor's use of the prospectus to which the
Claim relates.

               c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or
proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim,
such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6,
deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof,
and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the
extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying
party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel
mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or
the Indemnified Party, as the case may be; provided, however, that an
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own
counsel with the fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party to be paid by the indemnifying party,
if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the
representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any
other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. In the case of an
Indemnified Person, legal counsel referred to in the immediately preceding
sentence shall be selected by the Investors holding a majority in interest of
the Registrable Securities included in the Registration Statement to which the
Claim relates. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate fully
with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any
such action or Claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the
indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party
or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying
party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised at
all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with
respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any
action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent,
provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold,
delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry
of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff
to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability
in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided
for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the
Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms
or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.
The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a
reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such
indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified
Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is
prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

               d. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made
by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages
are incurred.



                                       13
<PAGE>   14

               e. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition
to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or
Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any
liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

        7. CONTRIBUTION.

               To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that:
(i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable
Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by
such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement.

        8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.

               With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits of
Rule 144, the Company agrees to:

               a. make and keep public information available, as those terms are
understood and defined in Rule 144;

               b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required by the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and

               c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns
Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly
report of the Company and such other reports and documents as may be necessary
to qualify under Rule 144, and (iii) such other information as may be reasonably
requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to Rule 144
without registration.



                                       14
<PAGE>   15


        9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

               The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically assignable
by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of Registrable
Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the transferee or
assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the
Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is,
within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with
written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or assignee, and
(b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
transferred or assigned; (iii) immediately following such transfer or assignment
the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws; (iv) at or
before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause
(ii) of this sentence the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the
Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (v) such
transfer shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of
the Securities Purchase Agreement.

        10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

               Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company
and Investors who then hold at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Registrable
Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 10
shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company. No such amendment shall be
effective to the extent that it applies to less than all of the holders of the
Registrable Securities. No consideration shall be offered or paid to any Person
to amend or consent to a waiver or modification of any provision of this
Agreement unless the same consideration also is offered to all of the parties to
this Agreement.

        11. MISCELLANEOUS.

               a. A Person is deemed to be a holder of Registrable Securities
whenever such Person owns or is deemed to own of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more Persons with respect to the same Registrable
Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions, notice or
election received from the registered owner of such Registrable Securities.

               b. Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in
writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when
delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided
confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and
kept on file by the sending party); or (iii) one business day after deposit with
a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly
addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers
for such communications shall be:



                                       15
<PAGE>   16


        If to the Company:

               Auspex Systems, Inc.
               2300 Central Expressway
               Santa Clara, California 95050-2515
               Telephone: (408) 566-2000
               Facsimile: (408) 566-2020
               Attention: Chief Executive Officer

        With a copy to:

               Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
               650 Page Mill Road
               Palo Alto, California 94304-1050
               Telephone: (650) 493-9300
               Facsimile: (650) 493-6811
               Attention: Henry P. Massey, Jr., Esq.

        If to Legal Counsel:

               Katten Muchin & Zavis
               525 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
               Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
               Telephone: 312-902-5200
               Facsimile: 312-902-1061
               Attention: Robert J. Brantman, Esq.

If to a Buyer, to its address and facsimile number on the Schedule of Buyers
attached hereto, with copies to such Buyer's representatives as set forth on the
Schedule of Buyers or to such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to
the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by
written notice given to each other party five days prior to the effectiveness of
such change. Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such
notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or
electronically generated by the sender's facsimile machine containing the time,
date, recipient facsimile number and an image of the first page of such
transmission or (C) provided by a courier or overnight courier service shall be
rebuttable evidence of personal service, receipt by facsimile or receipt from a
nationally recognized overnight delivery service in accordance with clause (i),
(ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

               c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under
this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or
remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.

               d. All questions concerning the construction, validity,
enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the
internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of
law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State



                                       16
<PAGE>   17

of New York or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York. Each party hereby
irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal
courts sitting in the City of New York, borough of Manhattan, for the
adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any
transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably
waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim
that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that
such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the
venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each party hereby
irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being
served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such
party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that
such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice
thereof. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right
to serve process in any manner permitted by law. If any provision of this
Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or
enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO
REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION
CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

               e. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Warrants and the Certificate of Designations constitute the entire agreement
among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.
There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than
those set forth or referred to herein and therein. This Agreement, the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Warrants and the Certificate of Designations
supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

               f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9, this Agreement shall
inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns
of each of the parties hereto.

               g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

               h. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and
the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be delivered
to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this Agreement
bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.

               i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.



                                       17
<PAGE>   18

               j. All consents and other determinations to be made by the
Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be made, unless otherwise specified
in this Agreement, by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable
Securities, determined as if all of the Preferred Shares and the Warrants then
outstanding have been converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities
without regard to any limitations on conversion of the Preferred Shares or
exercise of the Warrants.

               k. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the
language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of
strict construction will be applied against any party.

               l. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the
benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.


                                    * * * * *






                                       18
<PAGE>   19


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.


COMPANY:                                 BUYERS:

AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.                     HFTP INVESTMENT L.L.C.
                                         By: Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C.
                                         Its:Investment Manager


By:         /s/ Bruce Moore              By:
   -------------------------------          ------------------------------------
Name: Bruce N. Moore                        James F. O'Brien, Jr.
Its: President and Chief                    Managing Member
     Executive Officer

                                         FISHER CAPITAL LTD.


                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Kenneth A. Simpler
                                            Its: Vice President


                                         WINGATE CAPITAL LTD.


                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Kenneth A. Simpler
                                            Its: Vice President


                                         LEONARDO, L.P.

                                         By: ANGELO, GORDON & CO., L.P.
                                         Its: General Partner

                                         By:
                                            ------------------------------------
                                         Name:
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Its:
                                             -----------------------------------


<PAGE>   20


                               SCHEDULE OF BUYERS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    INVESTOR ADDRESS                  INVESTOR'S REPRESENTATIVES' ADDRESS
      INVESTOR NAME               AND FACSIMILE NUMBER                      AND FACSIMILE NUMBER
      -------------               --------------------                -----------------------------------
<S>                         <C>                                       <C>
HFTP Investment L.L.C.      c/o Promethean Asset Management, L.L.C.   Promethean Investment Group, L.L.C.
                            750 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor          750 Lexington Avenue, 22nd Floor
                            New York, New York 10022                  New York, New York 10022
                            Attn: James F. O'Brien, Jr.               Attn: James F. O'Brien, Jr.
                                  John M. Floegel                           John M. Floegel
                            Telephone: 212-702-5200                   Telephone: 212-702-5200
                            Facsimile: 212-758-9334                   Facsimile: 212-758-9334
                            Residence: New York

                                                                      Katten Muchin & Zavis
                                                                      525 West Monroe, Suite 1600
                                                                      Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
                                                                      Attn: Robert J. Brantman, Esq.
                                                                      Telephone: 312-902-5200
                                                                      Facsimile: 312-902-1061

Fisher Capital Ltd.         c/o Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C.      Katten Muchin Zavis
                            225 West Washington Street                525 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1600
                            Chicago, Illinois 60606                   Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
                            Attention: Kenneth A. Simpler             Attn: Robert J. Brantman, Esq.
                            Facsimile: (312) 338-0780                 Facsimile: (312) 902-1061
                            Telephone: (312) 696-2100                 Telephone: (312) 902-5200
                            Residence: Illinois

Wingate Capital Ltd.        c/o Citadel Investment Group, L.L.C.      Katten Muchin Zavis
                            225 West Washington Street                525 W. Monroe Street, Suite 1600
                            Chicago, Illinois 60606                   Chicago, Illinois 60661-3693
                            Attention: Kenneth A. Simpler             Attn: Robert J. Brantman, Esq.
                            Facsimile: (312) 338-0780                 Facsimile: (312) 902-1061
                            Telephone: (312) 696-2100                 Telephone: (312) 902-5200
                            Residence: Illinois

Leonardo, L.P.              c/o Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.            c/o Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.
                            245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor              245 Park Avenue - 26th Floor
                            New York, New York 10167                  New York, New York 10167
                            Attention: Gary Wolf or                   Attn: Gary Wolf or Ari Storch
                                       Ari Storch                     Facsimile: (212) 867-6449
                            Facsimile: (212) 867-6449                 Telephone: (212) 692-2035
                            Telephone: (212) 692-2035
                            Residence: Cayman Islands
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   21

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                         FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
                            OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT

[TRANSFER AGENT]

ATTN: ______________

               Re:  AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We are counsel to Auspex Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
Securities Purchase Agreement (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") entered into by and
among the Company and the Buyers named therein (collectively, the "HOLDERS")
pursuant to which the Company issued to the Holders shares of its Series ___
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $_____ per share (the "PREFERRED SHARES")
convertible into shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per
share (the "COMMON STOCK"), and the related Warrants (the "WARRANTS") to acquire
shares of Common Stock. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company also has
entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Holders (the "REGISTRATION
RIGHTS AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to
register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), including the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Preferred Shares and upon exercise of the Warrants, under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 ACT"). In connection with the Company's obligations
under the Registration Rights Agreement, on ____________ ____, the Company filed
a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-_____________) (the
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") relating to the Registrable Securities which names each of the Holders as
a selling stockholder thereunder.

        In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and the Registrable
Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act pursuant to the
Registration Statement.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       [ISSUER'S COUNSEL]

                                       By: ____________________________________

cc: [LIST NAMES OF HOLDERS]