Exhibit 23.1


              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-63716) and
related Prospectus of Sun Microsystems, Inc. for the registration of 1,900,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
reports dated July 19, 2000, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Sun Microsystems, Inc. incorporated by reference in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2000 and the related financial
statement schedule included therein, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Palo Alto, California
July 18, 2001