Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2017	Feb. 24, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001009626
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 28, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		407,701,822
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes