-----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,
 QiK4K1uqBr+Fd1BarojW4Zc3Uk+5lTx5JGVpFZd++wNZK4kRA2ReenNBPSo6wmuO
 OJ5lilPAJOaKx8fGdufYzg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-011830.txt : 20031204
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-011830.hdr.sgml : 20031204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031204123649
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-011830
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031204

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDONNELL JOHN F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001013060
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIRCRAFT [3721]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-31257
		FILM NUMBER:		031037012

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O MCDATA CORP
		STREET 2:		310 INTERLOCKEN PARKWAY
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80021
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034609200

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCDATA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000731502
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, NEC [3669]
		IRS NUMBER:				841421844
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0131

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		380 INTERLOCKEN CRESCENT
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80021
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034609200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		380 INTERLOCKEN CRESCENT
		CITY:			BROOMFIELD
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80021
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-03</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000731502</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MCDATA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MCDT</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001013060</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCDONNELL JOHN F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>380 INTERLOCKEN CRESCENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BROOMFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80021</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-03</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>10000</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>9.22</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3070000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-18</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>400000</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0.00</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3110000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>John F. McDonnell GRAT #4</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-18</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>400000</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0.00</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3510000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>John F. McDonnell GRAT #3</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-18</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>400000</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0.00</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3910000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>John F. McDonnell GRAT #2</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>2003-11-18</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>G</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>400000</value>
<footnoteId id="F3"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0.00</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4310000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>John F. McDonnell GRAT #1</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>200000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>60000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>40000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>McDonnell Family Partnership</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
<nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>McDATA Class B Common Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate><value>1988-08-08</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>0</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"></footnoteId>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>50000</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership><value>By Trust</value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeTransaction>
</nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">Sold pursuant to a 10b5-1 Plan</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">No current transaction.  Previously held securities.</footnote>
<footnote id="F3">John F. McDonnell gifted 400,000 shares each to four grantors revocable annuity trusts for the benefit of the grantor and certain family members.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>John F. McDonnell</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-04</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----