Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK ISSUABLE PURSUANT TO IT HAVE BEEN
ACQUIRED FOR INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933. SUCH SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR PLEDGED IN THE ABSENCE OF
SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE COMPANY RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH
MAY BE COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY) REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO IT STATING THAT SUCH
SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY
REQUIREMENTS OF SAID ACT.

                              AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.

                          COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

        1. Number and Price of Shares Subject to Warrant. Subject to the terms
and conditions set forth herein, Baruch and Shoshana Halpern (the "HOLDERS"),
are entitled to purchase from Auspex Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), at any time after the date hereof and on or before the date of
termination of this Warrant provided for in Section 10 hereof, up to 35,000
shares (which number of shares is subject to adjustment and certain conditions
as described below) of fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock of the Company
(the "SHARES") upon surrender hereof at the principal office of the Company, and
upon payment of the purchase price at said office in cash or by check. Subject
to adjustment as hereinafter provided, the purchase price of one share of Common
Stock (or such securities as may be substituted for one share of Common Stock
pursuant to the provisions hereinafter set forth) shall be $7.9625. The purchase
price of one share of Common Stock (or such securities as may be substituted for
one share of Common Stock pursuant to the provisions hereinafter set forth)
payable from time to time upon the exercise of this Warrant (whether such price
be the price specified above or an adjusted price determined as hereinafter
provided) is referred to herein as the "WARRANT PRICE."

        2. Adjustment of Warrant Price and Number of Shares. The number and kind
of securities issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time and the Company agrees to provide notice upon the
happening of certain events as follows:

                (a) Adjustment for Dividends in Stock. In case at any time or
from time to time on or after the date hereof, the holders of the Common Stock
of the Company (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time
receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall have received, or, on or
after the record date fixed for the determination of eligible stockholders,
shall have become entitled to receive, without payment therefor, other or
additional securities or other property of the Company by way of dividend or
distribution, then and in each case, Holders shall, upon the exercise hereof, be
entitled to receive, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock
receivable thereupon, and without payment of any additional consideration
therefor, the amount of such other or additional securities or other property of
the Company which Holders would hold on the date of such exercise had it been
the Holders of record of such Common Stock on the date hereof and had
thereafter, during the period from the date hereof to and including the date of
such exercise, retained such shares and/or all other additional securities or
other property receivable by it as aforesaid during such period, giving effect
to all adjustments called for during such period by this paragraph (a) and
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this Section 2.

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                (b) Adjustment for Reclassification or Reorganization. In case
of any reclassification or change of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company
or of any reorganization of the Company on or after the date hereof (other than
a merger or acquisition of the Company described in Section 10), then and in
each such case the Company shall give Holders at least ten (10) days notice of
the proposed effective date of such transaction, and Holders, upon the exercise
hereof at any time after the consummation of such reclassification, change or
reorganization, shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of the stock or other
securities and property receivable upon the exercise hereof prior to such
consummation, the stock or other securities or property to which Holders would
have been entitled upon such consummation if Holders had exercised this Warrant
immediately prior thereto, all subject to further adjustment as provided in
paragraphs (a), (b) and (c); in each such case, the terms of this Section 2
shall be applicable to the shares of stock or other securities properly
receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant after such consummation.

                (c) Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits. If at any time on or
after the date hereof the Company shall subdivide its outstanding shares of
Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect
immediately prior to such subdivision shall thereby be proportionately reduced
and the number of shares receivable upon exercise of the Warrant shall thereby
be proportionately increased; and, conversely, if at any time on or after the
date hereof the outstanding number of shares of Common Stock shall be combined
into a smaller number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior
to such combination shall thereby be proportionately increased and the number of
shares receivable upon exercise of this Warrant shall thereby be proportionately
decreased.

        3. No Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock or any
other security will be issued in connection with any exercise or conversion
hereunder. In lieu of any fractional shares which would otherwise be issuable,
the Company shall pay cash equal to the product of such fraction multiplied by
the fair market value of one share of such security on the date of exercise, as
determined in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors.

        4. No Shareholders Rights. This Warrant as such shall not entitle
Holders to any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company.

        5. Reservation of Stock. The Company covenants that during the period
this Warrant is exercisable, the Company will reserve from its authorized and
unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance
of Common Stock upon the exercise of this Warrant. The Company agrees that its
issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are
charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue the
necessary certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of this
Warrant.

        6. Exercise of Warrant.

                (a) Manner of Exercise. This Warrant may be exercised, in whole
or in part, by Holders by the surrender of this Warrant (with the notice of
exercise form attached hereto as Attachment A and the Investment Representation
Statement attached hereto as Attachment C duly executed) at the principal office
of the Company, accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price of the
Shares purchased thereby, as described above.

                                      -2-
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                (b) Right to Convert Warrant. This Warrant may be converted into
Shares in whole or in part, by Holders by the surrender of this Warrant (with
the notice of conversion form attached hereto as Attachment B and the Investment
Representation Statement attached hereto as Attachment C duly executed) at the
principal office of the Company. Upon conversion of this Warrant, Holders shall
be entitled to receive that number of Shares of the Company equal to (x) the
number of shares of Common Stock specified by Holders in its Notice of
Conversion up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to this
Warrant (the "SPECIFIED NUMBER") less (y) the number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the product of the Specified
Number and the then existing Warrant Price by (B) the Fair Market Value, as
defined below.

        "FAIR MARKET VALUE" of a Share shall mean the fair value as determined
in good faith by the Company's Board of Directors; provided, however, that where
there exists a public market for the Company's Shares at the time of Holders'
exercise of this conversion right, the Fair Market Value per Share shall be the
average of the closing bid and asked prices of the Shares quoted in the
Over-The-Counter Market Summary or the last reported sale price of the Common
Stock or the closing price quoted on the Nasdaq National Market or on any
exchange on which the Shares are listed, whichever is applicable, as published
in The Wall Street Journal for the five (5) trading days prior to the date of
conversion.

                (c) Issuance of Shares. This Warrant shall be deemed to have
been exercised or converted immediately prior to the close of business on the
date of its surrender for exercise or conversion in accordance with Section 6(a)
or 6(b), and the person entitled to receive the Shares or other securities
issuable upon such exercise shall be treated for all purposes as the Holders of
record of such securities as of the close of business on such date. As promptly
as practicable and in any event within fifteen (15) days after such date, the
Company shall issue and deliver to the person or persons entitled to receive the
same a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
or other security issuable upon such exercise, together with cash in lieu of any
fraction of a share as provided above, and a Warrant in like tenor as this
Warrant to purchase the number of Shares in respect of which this Warrant shall
not have been exercised, converted or waived.

        7. Certificate of Adjustment. Whenever the Warrant Price or the number
or type of securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant is adjusted, as
herein provided, the Company shall promptly deliver to Holders a certificate of
an officer of the Company setting forth the nature of such adjustment and a
brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

        8. Transfer of Warrant. This Warrant may not be transferred by Holders
without the written consent of the Company, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld. Any such transfer will require an opinion of counsel
reasonably acceptable the Company stating that such transfer is exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. No such transfer shall
be effective as against the Company until this Warrant shall have been
surrendered to the Company along with transfer instructions duly executed by
Holders. Within 15 days of the fulfillment of the foregoing requirements of this
Section 8, the Company will issue to the transferee of this Warrant a new
Warrant in like tenor for such number of Shares or other securities as this
Warrant is then exercisable.

        9. Restrictive Legend. Each certificate representing (i) the Shares, and
(ii) any other securities issued in respect of the Shares upon any stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization,

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merger, consolidation or similar event, shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted
with legends in the following form (in addition to any legend required under
applicable state securities laws):

        "THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR
        INVESTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
        (THE "SECURITIES ACT"). SUCH SHARES MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
        PLEDGED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS THE COMPANY
        RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL (WHICH MAY BE COUNSEL FOR THE COMPANY)
        REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO IT STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT
        FROM THE REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF THE
        SECURITIES ACT."

        10. Termination. This Warrant (and the right to purchase securities upon
exercise hereof) shall terminate upon the earliest of (a) September 27, 2004,
(b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (c)
the acquisition of the Company by means of merger or consolidation resulting in
the exchange of the outstanding shares of the Company for securities or
consideration issued, or caused to be issued, by the acquiring corporation or
its subsidiary (other than an acquisition primarily for the purpose of changing
the state of domicile of the Company).

        11. Miscellaneous. This Warrant shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Delaware. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of convenience
of reference only, and shall not be deemed to constitute a part hereof. Neither
this Warrant nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or
terminated orally but only by an instrument in writing signed by the Company and
Holders. All notices and other communications from the Company to Holders shall
be delivered personally or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the
address furnished to the Company in writing by Holders who shall have furnished
an address to the Company in writing, and if mailed shall be deemed given five
days after deposit in the U.S. Mail.

        ISSUED this _______ day of ______________ 2000.

                              Auspex Systems, Inc.
                             a Delaware corporation

                               /s/ PETER R. SIMPSON
                             -------------------------------------------
                             By:
                             Title: CFO

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                                  ATTACHMENT A

                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE

TO:     AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.

        1. The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ____________ shares of
Common Stock of Auspex Systems, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the attached
Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the purchase price of such shares in
full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

        2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares
of stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified
below:

                                           -------------------------------------
                                                         (Name)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                                       (Address)

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

        3. The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of stock are
being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not with a
view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and that the
undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such shares.
In support thereof, the undersigned has executed an Investment Representation
Statement included herewith.

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Warrantholders signature)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Print name and title of signatory
                                            if warrantholders is not an
                                            individual)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Date)

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                                  ATTACHMENT B

                              NOTICE OF CONVERSION

TO:     AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.

        1. The undersigned hereby elects to convert its right to purchase
__________ shares of Common Stock pursuant to the attached Warrant into such
number of shares of Common Stock of Auspex Systems, Inc. as is determined
pursuant to Section 6(b) of such Warrant, which conversion shall be effected
pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant.

        2. Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares
of stock in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified
below:

                                           -------------------------------------
                                                         (Name)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                                       (Address)

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

        3. The undersigned represents that the aforesaid shares of stock are
being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not with a
view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and that the
undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such shares.
In support thereof, the undersigned has executed an Investment Representation
Statement included herewith.

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Warrantholders signature)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Print name and title of signatory
                                            if warrantholders is not an
                                            individual)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                            (Date)

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                                  ATTACHMENT C

                       INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION STATEMENT

PURCHASER  :

COMPANY :             AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.

SECURITY :            COMMON STOCK

AMOUNT :

DATE :

        In connection with the purchase of the above-listed securities (the
"SECURITIES"), I, the Purchaser, represent to the Company the following:

                (a) I am aware of the Company's business affairs and financial
condition, and have acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach
an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Securities. I am
purchasing these Securities for my own account for investment purposes only and
not with a view to, or for the resale in connection with, any "distribution"
thereof for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933 ("SECURITIES ACT").

                (b) I understand that the Securities will be issued with the
restrictive legends described in Section 9 of the Warrant.

                (c) I understand that the Securities have not been registered
under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which
exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of my
investment intent as expressed herein. In this connection, I understand that, in
the view of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the statutory basis
for such exemption may be unavailable if my representation was predicated solely
upon a present intention to hold these Securities for the minimum capital gains
period specified under tax statutes, for a deferred sale, for or until an
increase or decrease in the market price of the Securities, or for a period of
one year or any other fixed period in the future.

                (d) I further understand that the Securities must be held
indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or unless
an exemption from registration is otherwise available. Moreover, I understand
that the Company is under no obligation to register the Securities. In addition,
I understand that the certificate evidencing the Securities will be imprinted
with a legend which prohibits the transfer of the Securities unless they are
registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for
the Company.

                (e) I am aware of the provisions of Rule 144, promulgated under
the Securities Act, which, in substance, permits limited public resale of
"RESTRICTED SECURITIES" acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer
thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject
to the satisfaction of certain conditions. I understand that there can be no
assurance that the such conditions will ever be satisfied.

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                (f) I further understand that at the time I wish to sell the
Securities there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale.

                (g) I further understand that in the event all of the
requirements of Rule 144 are not satisfied, registration under the Securities
Act, compliance with Regulation A, or some other registration exemption will be
required; and that, notwithstanding the fact that Rule 144 is not exclusive, the
Staff of the SEC has expressed its opinion that persons proposing to sell
private placement securities other than in a registered offering and otherwise
than pursuant to Rule 144 will have a substantial burden of proof in
establishing that an exemption from registration is available for such offers or
sales, and that such persons and their respective brokers who participate in
such transactions do so at their own risk.

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           (purchaser signature)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           (Print name and title of signatory if
                                            purchaser is not an individual)

                                           -------------------------------------
                                           (Date)

                                      -8-<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

                              AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.
                         EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF AUGUST 1, 2000

1.      NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

        Michael S. Worhach
        ----------------------
        Optionee

        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, as follows:

        Date of Grant                               August 1, 2000
                                                    ----------------------------

        Vesting Commencement Date                   August 1, 2000
                                                    ----------------------------

        Exercise Price Per Share                    7.3438
                                                    ----------------------------

        Total Number of Shares Granted              1,000,000
                                                    ----------------------------

        Total Exercise Price                        $7,343,800
                                                    ----------------------------

        Term/Expiration Date                        August 1, 2010
                                                    ----------------------------

        Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:

        The Option shall vest and become exercisable as to 1/24 of the Shares
        subject to the Option at the end of each of the 12 one-month periods
        immediately following the Vesting Commencement Date, and as to 1/2 of
        the Shares subject to the Option on the two-year anniversary of the
        Vesting Commencement Date, provided that Optionee's status as an
        employee of the Company has not terminated prior to any such date.

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Option shall vest and become fully
exercisable upon a Change of Control or if Optionee's employment with the
Company is terminated without Cause.

        For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Change of Control" shall mean
the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of

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the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's
then outstanding voting securities; (ii) the consummation of a merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent at least fifty
percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of
the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger
or consolidation; or (iii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

        For the purpose of this section, "Cause" means (i) the failure by
Optionee to substantially perform his material duties after a specific written
demand for substantial performance is delivered to Optionee by the Board of
Directors (ii) the failure (in material respect) by Optionee to follow
reasonable policies or directives established by the Board of Directors after
written notice to Optionee that Optionee is not following such policies or
directives, (iii) bad faith conduct that is materially detrimental to the
Company, or (iv) the conviction of Optionee of a felony.

        Notwithstanding the above, in the event it is determined by the
Company's independent public accountants that the acceleration of vesting of
Shares subject to the Option upon a merger pursuant to this Section would
preclude accounting for such merger as a pooling of interests, and the Board of
Directors desires to approve such merger which requires as a condition to the
closing of such transaction that it be accounted for as a pooling of interests,
then any such option acceleration shall be null and void, but only if the
absence of such option acceleration would preserve the pooling treatment.

        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for 30 days after termination of Optionee's
status as an employee of the Company, or such longer period as may be applicable
upon death or Disability of Optionee as provided below, but in no event later
than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

        AGREEMENT

        1. Grant of Option. Auspex Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"COMPANY"), hereby grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant (the
"OPTIONEE"), an option (the "OPTION") to purchase a total number of shares of
Common Stock (the "SHARES") set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise
price per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "EXERCISE PRICE").

        2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Exercise Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and as
follows:

                (i) Right to Exercise.

                        (a) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a
share.

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                        (b) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or
other termination of employment, the exercisability of the Option is governed by
Sections 6, 7 and 8 below, subject to the limitation contained in subsection
2(i)(c).

                        (c) In no event may this Option be exercised after the
date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in the Notice of
Grant.

                (ii) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by
written notice (in the form attached as EXHIBIT A) which shall state the
election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares in respect of which the
Option is being exercised, and such other representations and agreements as to
the holder's investment intent with respect to such shares of Common Stock as
may be required by the Company. Such written notice shall be signed by the
Optionee and shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary
of the Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the
Exercise Price. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the
Company of such written notice accompanied by the Exercise Price.

                No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option
unless such issuance and such exercise shall comply with all relevant provisions
of law and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the Shares may then
be listed. Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date on which the Option is
exercised with respect to such Shares.

        3. Registration of Shares. The Company shall register the shares
issuable upon exercise of this Option on a Form S-8 Registration Statement
within ninety (90) days after the grant of this Option.

        4. Method of Payment. Payment of the Exercise Price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

                (i) cash; or

                (ii) check; or

                (iii) surrender of other shares of Common Stock of the Company
which (A) in the case of Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Company
option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six (6) months on the date
of surrender, and (B) have a fair market value on the date of surrender equal to
the Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or

                (iv) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together
with such other documentation as the Company and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of
the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price.

        5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation, including any rule

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<PAGE>   4

under Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G")
as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board. As a condition to the exercise of
this Option, the Company may require Optionee to make any representation and
warranty to the Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

        6. Termination of Relationship. In the event of termination of
Optionee's continuous status as an employee of the Company, Optionee may, to the
extent otherwise so entitled at the date of such termination (the "TERMINATION
DATE"), exercise this Option during the Termination Period set out in the Notice
of Grant. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise this Option
at the date of such termination, or if Optionee does not exercise this Option
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        7. Disability of Optionee. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6
above, in the event of termination of Optionee's continuous status as an
employee of the Company as a result of total and permanent disability (as
defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code), Optionee may, but only within six (6)
months from the date of termination of employment (but in no event later than
the date of expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10
below), exercise the Option to the extent otherwise so entitled at the date of
such termination. To the extent that Optionee was not entitled to exercise the
Option at the date of termination, or if Optionee does not exercise such Option
(to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time specified herein, the
Option shall terminate.

        8. Death of Optionee. In the event of termination of Optionee's
continuous status as an employee of the Company as a result of the death of
Optionee, the Option may be exercised at any time within six (6) months
following the date of death (but in no event later than the date of expiration
of the term of this Option as set forth in Section 10 below), by Optionee's
estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or
inheritance, or by Optionee's legal representative on behalf of Optionee, but
only to the extent the Optionee could exercise the Option at the date of death.

        9. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by him or by Optionee's
legal representative on behalf of Optionee. The terms of this Option shall be
binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the
Optionee.

        10.Term of Option. This Option may be exercised only within the term set
out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the terms of this Option.

        11. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon
exercising a nonstatutory Option, he or she will recognize income for tax
purposes in an amount equal to the excess of the then fair market value of the
Shares over the exercise price. However, the timing of this income recognition
may be deferred for up to six months if Optionee is subject to Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). If the
Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to withhold from
Optionee's compensation, or collect from

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

Optionee and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a
percentage of this compensation income. Additionally, the Optionee may at some
point be required to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to the
disqualifying disposition of an Incentive Stock Option. The Optionee shall
satisfy his or her tax withholding obligation arising upon the exercise of this
Option out of Optionee's compensation or by payment to the Company.

        12. Tax Consequences. Set forth below is a brief summary as of the date
of this Option of some of the federal and California tax consequences of
exercise of this Option and disposition of the Shares. THIS SUMMARY IS
NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING
OF THE SHARES.

                (i) Exercise of Nonstatutory Stock Option. There may be a
regular federal income tax liability and California income tax liability upon
the exercise of the Option. The Optionee will be treated as having received
compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates) equal to the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of the Shares on the date of exercise over the
Exercise Price. If Optionee is an employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from Optionee's compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise.

                (ii) Disposition of Shares. In the case of an Nonstatutory Stock
Option, if Shares are held for at least one year, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
and California income tax purposes.

        13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Change of Control.

                (i) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
this Option, as well as the Exercise Price, shall be proportionately adjusted
for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock
resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination
or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in
the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company. The conversion of any convertible securities of
the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected without receipt of
consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination
in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly
provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or
securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price
of shares of Common Stock subject to this Option.

                (ii) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Company shall notify Optionee as
soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction.
Optionee shall have the right to exercise this Option until fifteen (15) days
prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered hereby, including
Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. To the extent
it has not been

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

previously exercised, this Option will terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

                                       AUSPEX SYSTEMS, INC.
                                       a Delaware corporation

                                       By:  /s/ DENNIS J. DUNMGAN
                                           -------------------------------------
                                       Title:  COO
                                              ----------------------------------

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

        OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO
THE OPTION HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY
(NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING
SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT NOTHING IN THIS
AGREEMENT CONFERS UPON OPTIONEE ANY RIGHT WITH RESPECT TO CONTINUATION OF STATUS
AS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY, NOR SHALL IT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH HIS RIGHT
OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE HIS STATUS AS AN EMPLOYEE.

        Optionee hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms and
provisions thereof. Optionee has reviewed this Option in its entirety, has had
an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
and fully understands all provisions of the Option. Optionee hereby agrees to
accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the
Company upon any questions arising under this Option.

Dated:  November 1, 2000                [SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
       ----------------------          -----------------------------------------
                                       Optionee

                   [ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF STOCK OPTION GRANT]

                                       7

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