Basis Of Presentation (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Basis Of Presentation (Policies)	Oct. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Fiscal Period Policy	The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the last Saturday in October or the first Saturday in November, respectively. As is customary for companies that use the 52/53-week convention, every fifth year is a 53-week year. Fiscal year 2015 is a 52-week fiscal year, fiscal year 2014 was a 53-week fiscal year, and fiscal year 2013 was a 52-week fiscal year. The Company’s next 53-week fiscal year will be fiscal year 2019 and its next 14-week quarter will be the second quarter of fiscal year 2019.
Consolidation Policy	The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Brocade and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates in Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, sales allowances and programs, allowance for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, acquisition purchase price allocations, warranty obligations, inventory valuation and purchase commitments, restructuring costs, incentive compensation, facilities lease losses, impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, litigation, income taxes, and investments. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.