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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this registration statement on Form S-8 of our report dated
November 16, 2000 included in Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.'s Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2000, and to all references to our Firm
included in this registration statement.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
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ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
San Jose, California
June 28, 2001