Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 30, 2016	Aug. 26, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001009626
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		400,870,091
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes