<PAGE>   1

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 1999
                                                     Registration No. 333-______
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
                   Delaware                                           52-1146119

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of                                  (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                                Identification No.)

       505 Huntmar Park Drive
               Herndon, VA                                                   20170

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                   (Zip Code)
</TABLE>

                NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC. 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)

<TABLE>
<S>                                                            <C>
                                                                        Copy to:
               JAMES P. RUTT                                        JONATHAN W. EMERY
          Network Solutions, Inc.                                Network Solutions, Inc.
          505 Huntmar Park Drive                                 505 Huntmar Park Drive
           Herndon, VA 20170                                      Herndon, VA 20170
              (703) 742-0400                                         (703) 742-0400

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
   (Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
</TABLE>

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Title of               Amount to be             Proposed                      Proposed                  Amount of
       Securities              Registered (1)       Maximum Offering                   Maximum                Registration
    to be Registered                               Price per Share (2)      Aggregate Offering Price (2)         Fee (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>                       <C>                        <C>                        <C>
   Common Stock                659,808 shares            $91.44                     $60,156,040                $16,723.38
  par value $.001 under
1996 Stock Incentive Plan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)  Calculated pursuant to General Instruction E on Form S-8. This amount
     covers shares of the Registrant's Common Stock which became issuable
     pursuant to an evergreen provision under the Network Solutions, Inc. 1996
     Stock Incentive Plan. This Registration Statement shall also cover any
     additional shares of Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under
     the Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan by reason of any
     stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction
     effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which results in
     an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common
     Stock, including shares of the Registrant's Common Stock which became
     issuable pursuant to a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a
     dividend on the Registrant's Common Stock, which was paid on March 23,
     1999.

(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the
     basis of the average of the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq
     National Market on October 22, 1999.

(3)  The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").

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

<PAGE>   2

The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with
Rule 462 under the 1933 Act.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             INFORMATION REQUIRED PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION E
                                   TO FORM S-8

GENERAL INSTRUCTION E INFORMATION

     This Registration Statement is being filed for the purpose of increasing
the number of securities of the same class as other securities for which a
Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form S-8 relating to the same
employee benefit plan is effective.

     The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 9, 1998 (File
No. 333-45873) is hereby incorporated by reference.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement:

          (1) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), filed with the Commission on March 30, 1999 and
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 1999, filed with
the Commission on August 16, 1999.

          (2) The Registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A (File No.
000-22967), filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997 and Form 8-A/A (File
No. 000-22967), filed with the Commission on June 16, 1999, including the
description of Registrant's Common Stock stated therein.

          (3) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on October 9, 1998, November 20, 1998, January 15, 1999, February 9,
1999, February 11, 1999 and October 6, 1999.

          In addition, all documents subsequently filed by Registrant pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the 1934 Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.


<PAGE>   3

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit Number                                  Exhibit
--------------                                  -------
<S>                      <C>
 5                       Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.

23.1                     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2                     Consent of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP (included in Exhibit 5).

24                       Power of Attorney (see page 3).

99.1                     Networks Solution, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
                         restated effective July 7, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         10.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.
                         333-30705).

99.2                     Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonstatutory
                         Stock Option Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705).

99.3                     Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Incentive
                         Stock Option Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705).
</TABLE>

--------



<PAGE>   4

                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Herndon, Commonwealth of Virginia, on
October 27, 1999.

                                        NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.

                                        By  /s/ J. P. RUTT
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                       James P. Rutt
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James P. Rutt and Jonathan W. Emery, and
each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Name                                                 Title                                        Date
        ----                                                 -----                                        ----
<S>                                          <C>                                                    <C>

/s/ J. P. RUTT
-------------------------                    Chief Executive Officer and Director                   October 27, 1999
     James P. Rutt


/s/ MICHAEL A. DANIELS
-------------------------                    Chairman of the Board                                  October 27, 1999
  Michael A. Daniels


/s/ ROBERT J. KORZENIEWSKI
--------------------------                   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial           October 27, 1999
Robert J. Korzeniewski                       Officer)


/s/ MICHAEL VOSLOW
-------------------------                    Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal       October 27, 1999
   Michael G. Voslow                         Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   5



<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                                <C>


/s/ ALAN BARATZ
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  Alan Baratz

/s/ J. R. BEYSTER
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  J. Robert Beyster

/s/ CRAIG FIELDS
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   Craig I. Fields

/s/ JOHN E. GLANCY
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   John E. Glancy

/s/ J. D. HEIPT
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   J. Dennis Heipt

/s/ W. A. ROPER
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
William A. Roper, Jr.

/s/ STRATTON D. SCLAVOS
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
 Stratton D. Sclavos

/s/ DONALD N. TELAGE
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  Donald N. Telage
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   6

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number         Exhibit
------         -------
<S>            <C>
 5             Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2           Consent of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP (included in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney (see page 3).

99.1*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
               and restated effective July 7, 1997 (the "Network Solutions, Inc.
               1996 Stock Incentive Plan").

99.2*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonstatutory
               Stock Option Agreement.

99.3*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Incentive
               Stock Option Agreement.
</TABLE>

*    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705.
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC. FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 13717}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "NETWORK SOLUTIONS INC /DE/", "cik": "0001030341", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "521146119", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-89859", "film-number": "99736272"}, "business-address": {"street1": "505 HUNTMAR PARK DR", "city": "HERNDON", "state": "VA", "zip": "20170", "phone": "7037420400"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "505 HUNTMAR PARK DRIVE", "city": "HERNDON", "state": "VA", "zip": "20170"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "NETWORK SOLUTIONS INC  /DE/", "date-changed": "19970702"}}
1

   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 28, 1999
                                                     Registration No. 333-______
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-8

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware                                           52-1146119

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of                                  (I.R.S. Employer
       incorporation or organization)                                Identification No.)

       505 Huntmar Park Drive
               Herndon, VA                                                   20170

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                                   (Zip Code)
NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC. 1996 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
                            (Full title of the plan)
Copy to:
               JAMES P. RUTT                                        JONATHAN W. EMERY
          Network Solutions, Inc.                                Network Solutions, Inc.
          505 Huntmar Park Drive                                 505 Huntmar Park Drive
           Herndon, VA 20170                                      Herndon, VA 20170
              (703) 742-0400                                         (703) 742-0400

------------------------------------------                     --------------------------------
   (Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Title of               Amount to be             Proposed                      Proposed                  Amount of
       Securities              Registered (1)       Maximum Offering                   Maximum                Registration
    to be Registered                               Price per Share (2)      Aggregate Offering Price (2)         Fee (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock                659,808 shares            $91.44                     $60,156,040                $16,723.38
  par value $.001 under
1996 Stock Incentive Plan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Calculated pursuant to General Instruction E on Form S-8. This amount
     covers shares of the Registrant's Common Stock which became issuable
     pursuant to an evergreen provision under the Network Solutions, Inc. 1996
     Stock Incentive Plan. This Registration Statement shall also cover any
     additional shares of Registrant's Common Stock which become issuable under
     the Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan by reason of any
     stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or other similar transaction
     effected without the Registrant's receipt of consideration which results in
     an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common
     Stock, including shares of the Registrant's Common Stock which became
     issuable pursuant to a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a
     dividend on the Registrant's Common Stock, which was paid on March 23,
     1999.

(2)  Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee on the
     basis of the average of the high and low prices as reported on the Nasdaq
     National Market on October 22, 1999.

(3)  The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act").

                               -----------------
2

The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with
Rule 462 under the 1933 Act.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             INFORMATION REQUIRED PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION E
                                   TO FORM S-8

GENERAL INSTRUCTION E INFORMATION

     This Registration Statement is being filed for the purpose of increasing
the number of securities of the same class as other securities for which a
Registration Statement of the Registrant on Form S-8 relating to the same
employee benefit plan is effective.

     The Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") on February 9, 1998 (File
No. 333-45873) is hereby incorporated by reference.

INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and
Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement:

          (1) The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998, pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), filed with the Commission on March 30, 1999 and
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 1999, filed with
the Commission on August 16, 1999.

          (2) The Registrant's registration statement on Form 8-A (File No.
000-22967), filed with the Commission on August 8, 1997 and Form 8-A/A (File
No. 000-22967), filed with the Commission on June 16, 1999, including the
description of Registrant's Common Stock stated therein.

          (3) The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the
Commission on October 9, 1998, November 20, 1998, January 15, 1999, February 9,
1999, February 11, 1999 and October 6, 1999.

          In addition, all documents subsequently filed by Registrant pursuant
to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the 1934 Act, prior to the filing of
a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have
been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be
a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
3

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number                                  Exhibit
--------------                                  -------
5                       Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.

23.1                     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2                     Consent of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP (included in Exhibit 5).

24                       Power of Attorney (see page 3).

99.1                     Networks Solution, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and
                         restated effective July 7, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         10.4 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.
                         333-30705).

99.2                     Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonstatutory
                         Stock Option Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705).

99.3                     Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Incentive
                         Stock Option Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to
                         Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705).
--------
4

                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that
it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Herndon, Commonwealth of Virginia, on
October 27, 1999.

                                        NETWORK SOLUTIONS, INC.

                                        By  /s/ J. P. RUTT
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                       James P. Rutt
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints James P. Rutt and Jonathan W. Emery, and
each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or
substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Name                                                 Title                                        Date
        ----                                                 -----                                        ----
/s/ J. P. RUTT
-------------------------                    Chief Executive Officer and Director                   October 27, 1999
     James P. Rutt

/s/ MICHAEL A. DANIELS
-------------------------                    Chairman of the Board                                  October 27, 1999
  Michael A. Daniels

/s/ ROBERT J. KORZENIEWSKI
--------------------------                   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial           October 27, 1999
Robert J. Korzeniewski                       Officer)

/s/ MICHAEL VOSLOW
-------------------------                    Vice President, Finance and Treasurer (Principal       October 27, 1999
   Michael G. Voslow                         Accounting Officer)
5
/s/ ALAN BARATZ
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  Alan Baratz

/s/ J. R. BEYSTER
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  J. Robert Beyster

/s/ CRAIG FIELDS
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   Craig I. Fields

/s/ JOHN E. GLANCY
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   John E. Glancy

/s/ J. D. HEIPT
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
   J. Dennis Heipt

/s/ W. A. ROPER
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
William A. Roper, Jr.

/s/ STRATTON D. SCLAVOS
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
 Stratton D. Sclavos

/s/ DONALD N. TELAGE
-------------------------                    Director                           October 27, 1999
  Donald N. Telage
6

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number         Exhibit
------         -------
5             Opinion regarding legality of securities to be offered.

23.1           Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2           Consent of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP (included in Exhibit 5).

24             Power of Attorney (see page 3).

99.1*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
               and restated effective July 7, 1997 (the "Network Solutions, Inc.
               1996 Stock Incentive Plan").

99.2*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Nonstatutory
               Stock Option Agreement.

99.3*          Network Solutions, Inc. 1996 Stock Incentive Plan Form of Incentive
               Stock Option Agreement.
*    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-30705.