-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Bd6dQrXAQ9+3x5dgpbNMJUsaTZWL+UDltSeqO/2bNk9TkuQpLHyQ3hGAsQzDkWBk
 t3HLgLb3F8WprWw7fK/PFg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-03-017912.txt : 20030819
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-03-017912.hdr.sgml : 20030819
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030819191329
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-03-017912
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030815
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030819

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001009626
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				770409517
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1028

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1745 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95110

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1745 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95110

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LALONDE WILLIAM JAMES
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001228322

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-25601
		FILM NUMBER:		03856836

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1745 TECHNOLOGY DR
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4083925019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bpa92594_bpa3wjl.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?><ownershipDocument><schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-08-15</periodOfReport><notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16><issuer><issuerCik>0001009626</issuerCik><issuerName>BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>        <issuerTradingSymbol>BRCD</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner><reportingOwnerId><rptOwnerCik>0001228322</rptOwnerCik><rptOwnerName>LALONDE WILLIAM JAMES</rptOwnerName></reportingOwnerId><reportingOwnerAddress><rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1><rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2><rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity><rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState><rptOwnerZipCode>95110</rptOwnerZipCode><rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription></reportingOwnerAddress><reportingOwnerRelationship><isDirector>0</isDirector><isOfficer>1</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther><officerTitle>VP, International Sales</officerTitle></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><n
onDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value><footnoteId id="F1" /></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1444</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><derivativeTable><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F2" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>2922</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>2922</value></sharesOwnedFollowi
ngTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F3" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>97078</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>97078</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
<footnoteId id="F4" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>1975</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1975</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F5" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2003-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSe
curityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>65455</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>65455</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F6" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>102000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>102000</value></sharesOwnedFoll
owingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F7" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>5000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value
><footnoteId id="F8" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>125000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>125000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value><footnoteId id="F9" /></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>6.54</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><exerciseDate><value>2003-07-10</value></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2013-07-10</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underly
ingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>75000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>75000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeHolding><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Non-qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value></securityTitle><conversionOrExercisePrice><value>5.53</value></conversionOrExercisePrice><transactionDate><value>2003-08-15</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>100000</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>0.00</value><footnoteId id="F10" /></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcqui
redDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><exerciseDate><value>2003-09-15</value><footnoteId id="F11" /></exerciseDate><expirationDate><value>2010-08-15</value></expirationDate><underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></underlyingSecurityTitle><underlyingSecurityShares><value>100000</value></underlyingSecurityShares></underlyingSecurity><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>100000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership></ownershipNature></derivativeTransaction></derivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">Beneficial holding disclosure only.</footnote><footnote id="F2">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  1,827 options vest on July 10, 2003; 1,095 options vest monthly from July 20, 2003 through December 20, 2004.</footnote><footnote id="F3">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  60,674 options ves
t on July 10, 2003; 36,404 options vest monthly from July 20, 2003 through December 20, 2004.</footnote><footnote id="F4">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  1,235 options vest on July 10, 2003; 740 options vest monthly from July 20, 2003 through December 20, 2004.</footnote><footnote id="F5">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  40,910 options vest on July 10, 2003; 24,545 options vest monthly from July 20, 2003 through December 20, 2004.</footnote><footnote id="F6">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  13,333 options vest on July 10, 2003; 26,667 options vest monthly from August 1, 2003 through November 1, 2004; 62,000 options vest monthly from November 1, 2004 through November 1, 2005.</footnote><footnote id="F7">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  5,000 options vest on July 10, 2003.</footnote><footnote id="F8">Beneficial holding disclosure only.  54,687 options vest on July 10, 2003; 70,313 options vest monthly from August 1, 2003 through October 1, 2005.</footnote><footnote id="F9">Beneficial holding d
isclosure only.  21,875 options vest on July 10, 2003; 53,125 options vest monthly from August 4, 2003 through December 4, 2004.</footnote><footnote id="F10">The price of the deritive security will be determined at a future date upon exercise of the option.</footnote><footnote id="F11">Options vest monthly from September 15, 2003 through August 15, 2007.</footnote></footnotes><ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Antonio Canova, attorney in fact for William James LaLonde</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-08-19</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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