Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2017	May 26, 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	Apr. 29, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		410,044,251
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes