Amortization period for deferred financing cost in years.

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Date of commencement of interest payment.

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- Definition

Fair value of senior secured credit facility.

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- Definition

Interest rate description of Senior Secured Credit Facility prior to Amendment No. 2.

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- Definition

Issue price of senior secured notes as a percentage of principal.

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- Definition

Line of credit facility, revolving credit, amount outstanding.

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Consolidated senior secured leverage ratio means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) consolidated funded indebtedness as of such date, minus, without duplication, all unsecured senior subordinated or subordinated indebtedness of the Company or its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date, to (b) consolidated EBITDA for the measurement period ending on such date.

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- Definition

Minimum percentage of notes amount held by trustee or holders who may declare notes to be fully repaid in the event of default.

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- Definition

Notes not issued during the exchange offer.

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Percentage of non voting stock for first tier foreign subsidiary as obligation under senior secured credit facility.

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Percentage of voting stock for first tier foreign subsidiary as obligation under senior secured credit facility.

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Maximum amount of permission to sell its accounts receivable and lease receivables for fair market value under the credit agreement.

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Premium payable on repricing of debt in year one, percentage prior to refinancing.

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Premium payable on repricing of debt in year two, percentage prior to refinancing.

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Redemption amount percentage of aggregate principal amount.

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Redemption price percentage.

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The cash outflow from the repayment of debt instrument which can be exchanged for a specified amount of another security, typically the entity's common stock, at the option of the issuer or the holder, and for which a lender is placed in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment (senior) in case of liquidation of the entity's assets or underlying collateral.

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Repayment towards the principal of the Senior Secured Notes.

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Repayment towards the principal of the term loan.

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Repurchase price of Senior Secured Notes as percentage of principal amount in case of change in control.

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Repurchase price of Senior Secured Notes as percentage of principal amount in case of sale of assets.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Senior Secured Notes (with maturities initially due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer), excluding the current portion, if any. These borrowings are secured by assets of the borrower.

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Term loan principal required to be repaid in year five, percentage, prior to amendment No. 2.

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Term loan principal required to be repaid in year four, percentage, prior to amendment No. 2.

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Term loan principal required to be repaid in year one, percentage, prior to amendment No. 2.

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Term loan principal required to be repaid in year three, percentage, prior to amendment No. 2.

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Term loan principal required to be repaid in year two, percentage, prior to amendment No. 2.

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Voluntary prepayments of term loan.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, the accumulated amortization, as of the reporting date, representing the periodic charge to earnings of deferred costs which are associated with debt obligations existing as of the end of the period.

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Costs incurred to effect a business combination which have been expensed during the period. Such costs could include business integration costs, systems integration and conversion costs, and severance and other employee-related costs.

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Including current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of long-term borrowings as of the balance sheet date before deducting unamortized discount or premiums (if any). May include notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt, which had initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Interest expense related to convertible debt instruments which has been recognized for the period, including the contractual interest coupon and amortization of the debt discount, if any.

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The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

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Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

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Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

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Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))
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Amount of the required periodic payments applied to principal.

+ References

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The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

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Reflects the calculation as of the balance sheet date of the average interest rate weighted by the amount of debt outstanding by type or by instrument at that time.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, the amount as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain. Such amount is before the consideration of accumulated amortization.

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For an unclassified balance sheet, the carrying amount (net of accumulated amortization) as of the balance sheet date of capitalized costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments (for example, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs) that will be charged against earnings over the life of the debt instruments to which such costs pertain.

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Amount represents the difference between the fair value of the payments made and the carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment.

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Amount borrowed under the credit facility as of the balance sheet date.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
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-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 22
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Increase for additional borrowings on the credit facility during the period.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
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- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

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The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)
-Number 95-13
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

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The net cash inflow or outflow associated with long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes proceeds from and repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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The cash outflow to pay off an obligation from a contractual arrangement with the lender, including letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a specific amount at any point in time with either short term or long term maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 18
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 95
-Paragraph 20
-Subparagraph b
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Financing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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The cash outflow to repay long-term debt that is wholly or partially secured by collateral. Excludes repayments of tax exempt secured debt.

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Borrowings (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended								1 Months Ended				0 Months Ended			9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
Borrowings (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jun. 10, 2011	Oct. 30, 2010	Jan. 08, 2010	Oct. 31, 2009	Oct. 07, 2008	Oct. 07, 2008 Five Year Term Loan Facility [Member]	Apr. 30, 2010 Five Year Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Oct. 07, 2008 Five Year Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Oct. 07, 2008 Swing Line Loan Subfacility [Member]	Oct. 07, 2008 Letter Of Credit Subfacility [Member]	Jan. 08, 2010 Additional Senior Indebtedness [Member] Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Jan. 08, 2010 Additional Subordinated Indebtedness [Member] Subordinated Debt [Member]	Jan. 20, 2010 6.625% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 6.625% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	May 20, 2011 6.625% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Oct. 30, 2010 6.625% Senior Secured Notes Due 2018 [Member]	Jan. 20, 2010 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Oct. 30, 2010 6.875% Senior Secured Notes Due 2020 [Member]	Feb. 16, 2010 2.25% Subordinated Convertible Notes [Member]	Jan. 20, 2010 2.25% Subordinated Convertible Notes [Member]	Oct. 30, 2010 2.25% Subordinated Convertible Notes [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Oct. 30, 2010 Senior Secured Notes [Member]	Jan. 20, 2010 Secured Credit Facility [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Secured Credit Facility [Member]	Jun. 10, 2011 Replaced Term Loan [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Replaced Term Loan [Member]	Jun. 10, 2011 Debt Modification [Member]	Jun. 10, 2011 Debt Extinguishment [Member]	Jul. 30, 2011 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. [Member]	Jul. 31, 2010 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. [Member]
Principal amount of senior secured notes																$ 300,000,000				$ 300,000,000
Issue price of secured notes																99.239%				99.114%
Senior secured notes, maturity date																Jan. 15, 2018				Jan. 15, 2020				Feb. 16, 2010							Oct. 31, 2014
Senior secured notes, interest rate per annum																6.625%				6.875%				2.25%
Date of commencement of interest payment																July 15, 2010				July 15, 2010
Proceeds from Senior Secured Notes			587,968,000																																587,968,000
Liability associated with senior secured notes		595,692,000			595,373,000												298,100,000		297,900,000		297,600,000	297,500,000
Debt discount on senior secured notes																	1,900,000		2,100,000		2,400,000	2,500,000
Original debt issuance costs			3,665,000																							11,000,000									3,665,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs																										1,400,000	700,000
Deferred financing costs		3,600,000			17,300,000																					9,600,000	10,300,000
Amortization of deferred finance costs, years																	8				10
Payment towards the principal of the Senior Secured Notes		0
Principal amount of convertible subordinated debt paid			(172,500,000)																				172,500,000
Fair value of senior secured notes		642,800,000			645,400,000
Redemption price, percentage of face value																	100.00%				100.00%
Redemption amount of notes, percentage of principal amount																										35.00%
Repurchase price of notes in case of change in control, percentage of face value		101.00%
Repurchase price of notes in case of sale of assets, percentage of face value		100.00%
Minimum percentage of notes amount held by trustee or holders, who may declare notes to be fully repaid in the event of default																										25.00%
Notes not issued during the exchange offer																		500,000
Senior secured credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									1,100,000,000		125,000,000	25,000,000	25,000,000
Increase in credit facility under certain financial and other covenants														600,000,000	600,000,000
Permission to sale accounts receivable and lease receivables for fair market value with the aggregate amount paid for such receivables, net of collections						125,000,000
Prepayment for term loan		309,897,000	552,808,000																									435,000,000						309,897,000	552,808,000
Term loan				250,000,000																												51,100,000	198,900,000
Withdrawal of revolving credit facility							14,100,000
Repayment of credit facility										14,100,000
Amounts outstanding under the terms of revolving credit facility		0			0
Interest rate description prior to amendment		LIBOR rate "floor" was 3.0% per annum and the prime lending rate "floor" was 4.0% per annum																											Company's option, at a rate equal to either the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") rate, plus an applicable margin equal to 4.0% per annum or the prime lending rate, plus an applicable margin equal to 3.0% per annum.
Weighted-average interest rate on the term loan		6.26%
Term loan principal required to be repaid in year one, percentage		5.00%
Term loan principal required to be repaid in year two, percentage		5.00%
Term loan principal required to be repaid in year three, percentage		10.00%
Term loan principal required to be repaid in year four, percentage		20.00%
Term loan principal required to be repaid in year five, percentage		60.00%
Premium payable on repricing of debt in year one, percentage		2.00%
Premium payable on repricing of debt in year two, percentage		1.00%
Quarterly installments of term loan due to amendment		12,500,000
Capitalized as deferred financing costs								31,600,000																						1,200,000
Consolidated senior secured leverage ratio																														2.00
Write off of debt issuance cost and debt discount		25,500,000
Payment towards the principal of the term loan		110,900,000
Voluntary prepayments of term loan		92,300,000
Fair value of senior secured credit facility		240,300,000			354,500,000
Percentage of voting stock for first-tier foreign subsidiary as obligation under Senior Secured Credit Facility		65.00%
Percentage of non-voting stock for first-tier foreign subsidiary as obligation under Senior Secured Credit Facility		100.00%
Acquisition and integration costs		75,000,000
Effective interest rate																									8.63%
Interest expense	$ 0		$ 4,305,000