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

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
San Jose, California
October 29, 2001