Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2015	Aug. 28, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001009626
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Aug. 01, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		414,598,479