EXHIBIT 99.2

               BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS, INC. SELLS $500 MILLION OF
                        2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED NOTES

SAN JOSE, Calif., December 18, 2001 - Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
(Brocade(R)) (Nasdaq: BRCD) announced today that it agreed to privately place
$500 million aggregate principal amount of 2% convertible subordinated notes due
2007. The notes will be unsecured obligations, convertible into Brocade common
stock at a conversion price of approximately $43.75 per share. The company has
granted the initial purchasers of the notes a 30-day option to purchase an
additional $50 million principal amount of the notes. The placement of the notes
is expected to close on December 21, 2001.

The net proceeds of the offering will be used for general corporate purposes,
including working capital and capital expenditures.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy any of
these securities.

The securities will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and unless so
registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to
an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and
applicable state laws.