Guarantor And Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (Schedule Of Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Aug. 02, 2014		Jul. 27, 2013		Aug. 02, 2014		Jul. 27, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions
Net income (loss)	$ 87,352		$ 118,696		$ 154,552		$ 144,390
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains and losses	(155)		(1,000)		14		(2,998)
Net gains and losses reclassified into earnings	(218)	[1]	(10)	[1]	(217)	[1]	(214)	[1]
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(373)		(1,010)		(203)		(3,212)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(191)		(1,470)		284		(3,612)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(564)		(2,480)		81		(6,824)
Total comprehensive income	86,788		116,216		154,633		137,566
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions
Net income (loss)	87,352		118,696		154,552		144,780
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains and losses	0		0		0		0
Net gains and losses reclassified into earnings	0		0		0		0
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	0		0		0		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	18		23		(113)		1,149
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	18		23		(113)		1,149
Total comprehensive income	87,370		118,719		154,439		145,929
Subsidiary Guarantors
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions
Net income (loss)	9,396		(15,365)		9,350		(43,141)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains and losses	0		0		0		0
Net gains and losses reclassified into earnings	0		0		0		0
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	0		0		0		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0		0		171		(628)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		171		(628)
Total comprehensive income	9,396		(15,365)		9,521		(43,769)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions
Net income (loss)	31,039		65,541		120,852		119,017
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains and losses	(155)		(1,000)		14		(2,998)
Net gains and losses reclassified into earnings	(218)		(10)		(217)		(214)
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	(373)		(1,010)		(203)		(3,212)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(209)		(1,493)		226		(4,133)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(582)		(2,503)		23		(7,345)
Total comprehensive income	30,457		63,038		120,875		111,672
Consolidating Adjustments
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions
Net income (loss)	(40,435)		(50,176)		(130,202)		(76,266)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Change in unrealized gains and losses	0		0		0		0
Net gains and losses reclassified into earnings	0		0		0		0
Net unrealized losses on cash flow hedges	0		0		0		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0		0		0		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	0		0		0		0
Total comprehensive income	$ (40,435)		$ (50,176)		$ (130,202)		$ (76,266)

[1] For Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income classification of amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, see Note 10, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.