BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS INC
S-8, 1999-08-13
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>   1

    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August ___, 1999

                                               Registration No. 333-__________

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   ----------

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                     77-0409517
- ----------------------------            --------------------------------------
  (State of Incorporation)              (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

                             1901 Guadalupe Parkway
                           San Jose, California 95131
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                   ----------

                           1999 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                            1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN
                            (Full title of the plans)

                                   ----------

                                 Michael J. Byrd
                             Chief Financial Officer
                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                             1901 Guadalupe Parkway
                           San Jose, California 95131
                     (Name and address of agent for service)
                                 (408) 487-8000
          (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                   ----------

                                    Copy to:
                                John T. Sheridan
                     WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                               650 Page Mill Road
                           Palo Alto, California 94304
                            Telephone: (650) 493-9300


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    AMOUNT            PROPOSED MAXIMUM       PROPOSED MAXIMUM
           TITLE SECURITIES TO                      TO BE              OFFERING PRICE       AGGREGATE OFFERING       AMOUNT OF
              BE REGISTERED                       REGISTERED            PER SHARE (1)             PRICE           REGISTRATION FEE
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>                       <C>               <C>                      <C>
Common Stock available for issuance under
  the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan(1)                2,537,530                  $ 3.22           $ 8,170,846.60           $2,271.50
Common Stock  to be issued under the 1999
  Equity Incentive Plan(2)                           366,080                 $103.22           $37,786,778.00          $10,504.72
Common Stock to be issued under the 1999
  Employee Stock Purchase Plan                       200,000                 $103.22           $20,644,000.00           $5,739.03
Common Stock to be issued under the 1999
  Director Option Plan                               200,000                 $103.22           $20,644,000.00           $5,739.03

                                    TOTAL:                                                     $87,245,624.60          $24,254.28
</TABLE>

- ----------
(1)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of calculating the amount
     of the registration fee based on the weighted average exercise price per
     share covering authorized but unissued shares under the 1999 Equity
     Incentive Plan.

(2)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended, solely for the purpose of calculating the amount
     of the registration fee based on the average of the high and low prices per
     share of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
     August 10, 1999.

================================================================================



<PAGE>   2

                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.
                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.    INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         There are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement the following documents and information heretofore filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission:

         1. The Company's Prospectus filed May 25, 1999 pursuant to Rule
424(B)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act")
relating to the Company's initial public offering of its Common Stock.

         2. The description of the Company's Common Stock contained in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated March 19, 1999, filed
pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act"), and any further amendment or report filed hereafter for the purpose of
updating such description.

         All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this Registration
Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates
that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities
then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5.    INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Larry W. Sonsini, a director of the Registrant, is a member of Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, which has given an opinion upon the validity of the
securities being registered by this Registration Statement.

ITEM 6.    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL")
provides in relevant part that "[a] corporation may indemnify any person who was
or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys'
fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he acted
in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his




                                      II-1
<PAGE>   3

conduct was unlawful". With respect to derivative actions, Section 145(b) of the
DGCL provides in relevant part that "[a] corporation may indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor...[by reason of his service in one of the
capacities specified in the preceding sentence] against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with the
defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of
the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of
any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to
be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of
Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court
shall deem proper."

         The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that to
the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, no director of the Company shall be
personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for
breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The Restated Certificate of
Incorporation also provides that no amendment or repeal of such provision shall
apply to or have any effect on the right to indemnification permitted thereunder
with respect to claims arising from acts or omissions occurring in whole or in
part before the effective date of such amendment or repeal whether asserted
before or after such amendment or repeal.

         The Company's Bylaws provide that the Company shall indemnify its
officers and directors and may indemnify its employees and other agents to the
fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, against expenses actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding arising by reason of the
fact that such person is or was an agent of the Company.

         The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers and intends to enter into indemnification
agreements with any new directors and executive officers in the future.

         The Company carries officer and director liability insurance with
respect to certain matters, including matters arising under the Securities Act.

ITEM 7.    EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

           Not Applicable.

ITEM 8.    EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT
     NUMBER                           DESCRIPTION
    -------                           -----------
<S>               <C>
      4.1         1999 Equity Incentive Plan
      4.2         1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
      4.3         1999 Director Option Plan
      5.1         Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being
                  registered
      23.1        Consent of Independent Public Accountants
      23.2        Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
      24.1        Power of Attorney (see page II-5)
</TABLE>



                                      II-2
<PAGE>   4

ITEM 9.    UNDERTAKINGS.

         A. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any
material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously
disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement.

               (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

               (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

         C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.




                                      II-3
<PAGE>   5


                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto, duly
authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California, on August 11, 1999.


                                   BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.



                                   By:    /s/ Michael J. Byrd
                                      ----------------------------------------
                                      Michael J. Byrd, Chief Financial Officer



                                      II-4
<PAGE>   6


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory L. Reyes and Michael J. Byrd, and
each of them, their true and lawful attorneys and agents, with full power of
substitution, each with power to act alone, to sign and execute on behalf of the
undersigned any amendment or amendments to this Registration Statement on Form
S-8 and to perform any acts necessary in order to file such amendments, and each
of the undersigned does hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys and
agents, or their or his substitutes, shall do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration
Statement has been signed on August 11, 1999 by the following persons in the
capacities indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       SIGNATURE                               TITLE
                       ---------                               -----
<S>                                              <C>
/s/ GREGORY L. REYES
- -----------------------------                    Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Gregory L. Reyes                                 (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ MICHAEL J. BYRD
- -----------------------------                    Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Michael J. Byrd                                  and Accounting Officer)


/s/ SETH NEIMAN
- -----------------------------                    Chairman of the Board
Seth Neiman


/s/ NEAL DEMPSEY
- -----------------------------                    Director
Neal Dempsey

/s/ MARK LESLIE
- -----------------------------                    Director
Mark Leslie

/s/ LARRY W. SONSINI
- -----------------------------
Larry W. Sonsini                                 Director
</TABLE>




                                      II-5
<PAGE>   7

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBIT
     NUMBER                         DESCRIPTION
    -------                         ------------
<S>               <C>
      4.1         1999 Equity Incentive Plan
      4.2         1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
      4.3         1999 Director Option Plan
      5.1         Opinion of counsel as to legality of securities being registered
      23.1        Consent of Independent Public Accountants
      23.2        Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1)
      24.1        Power of Attorney (see page II-5)
</TABLE>




<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                 1999 STOCK PLAN



        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1999 Stock Plan are:

                o       to attract and retain the best available personnel for
                        positions of substantial responsibility,

                o       to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors
                        and Consultants, and

                o       to promote the success of the Company's business.

        Options granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or
Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of
grant. Stock Purchase Rights may also be granted under the Plan.

        2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

               (a) "Administrator" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (b) "Applicable Laws" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of
any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options or Stock Purchase Rights are,
or will be, granted under the Plan.

               (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (d) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               (e) "Committee" means a committee of Directors appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

               (f) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

               (g) "Company" means Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

               (h) "Consultant" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.


<PAGE>   2
               (i) "Director" means a member of the Board.

               (j) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

               (k) "Employee" means any person, including Officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A
Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave
of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the
Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.
For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed ninety days,
unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or
contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the
Company is not so guaranteed, on the 181st day of such leave any Incentive Stock
Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock
Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company
shall be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

               (l) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (m) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                      (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

                      (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior
to the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

                      (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

               (n) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and
the regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (o) "Nonstatutory Stock Option" means an Option not intended to
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.


                                      -2-


<PAGE>   3
               (p) "Notice of Grant" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option or Stock
Purchase Right grant. The Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

               (q) "Officer" means a person who is an officer of the Company
within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

               (r) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (s) "Option Agreement" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.
The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

               (t) "Option Exchange Program" means a program whereby outstanding
Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

               (u) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option
or Stock Purchase Right.

               (v) "Optionee" means the holder of an outstanding Option or Stock
Purchase Right granted under the Plan.

               (w) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

               (x) "Plan" means this 1999 Stock Plan.

               (y) "Restricted Stock" means shares of Common Stock acquired
pursuant to a grant of Stock Purchase Rights under Section 11 of the Plan.

               (z) "Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement" means a written
agreement between the Company and the Optionee evidencing the terms and
restrictions applying to stock purchased under a Stock Purchase Right. The
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

               (aa) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any
successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with
respect to the Plan.

               (bb) "Section 16(b) " means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

               (cc) "Service Provider" means an Employee, Director or
Consultant.

               (dd) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.


                                      -3-


<PAGE>   4
               (ee) "Stock Purchase Right" means the right to purchase Common
Stock pursuant to Section 11 of the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.

               (ff) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now
or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 13 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is [______________] Shares, plus an annual increase to be added
on the first day of the Company's fiscal year beginning in 2000 equal to the
lesser of (i) 5,000,000 shares, (ii) 4% of the outstanding shares on such date
or (iii) a lesser amount determined by the Board. The Shares may be authorized,
but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

        If an Option or Stock Purchase Right expires or becomes unexercisable
without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Option
Exchange Program, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall become
available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under
the Plan, whether upon exercise of an Option or Right, shall not be returned to
the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan,
except that if Shares of Restricted Stock are repurchased by the Company at
their original purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future
grant under the Plan.

        4. Administration of the Plan.

               (a) Procedure.

                      (i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be
administered by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service
Providers.

                      (ii) Section 162(m). To the extent that the Administrator
determines it to be desirable to qualify Options granted hereunder as
"performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code, the Plan shall be administered by a Committee of two or more "outside
directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

                      (iii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify
transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated
hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under
Rule 16b-3.

                      (iv) Other Administration. Other than as provided above,
the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which
committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.


                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5
               (b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated
by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in
its discretion:

                      (i) to determine the Fair Market Value;

                      (ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Options and
Stock Purchase Rights may be granted hereunder;

                      (iii) to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to
be covered by each Option and Stock Purchase Right granted hereunder;

                      (iv) to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

                      (v) to determine the terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Option or Stock Purchase Right
granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to,
the exercise price, the time or times when Options or Stock Purchase Rights may
be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting
acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or
limitation regarding any Option or Stock Purchase Right or the shares of Common
Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator,
in its sole discretion, shall determine;

                      (vi) to reduce the exercise price of any Option or Stock
Purchase Right to the then current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock covered by such Option or Stock Purchase Right shall have
declined since the date the Option or Stock Purchase Right was granted;

                      (vii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

                      (viii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

                      (ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans
established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under
foreign tax laws;

                      (x) to modify or amend each Option or Stock Purchase Right
(subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to
extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is
otherwise provided for in the Plan;

                      (xi) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right that number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair
Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that


                                      -5-


<PAGE>   6
the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by an
Optionee to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and
under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

                      (xii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right previously granted by the Administrator;

                      (xiii) to make all other determinations deemed necessary
or advisable for administering the Plan.

               (c) Effect of Administrator's Decision. The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all
Optionees and any other holders of Options or Stock Purchase Rights.

        5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options and Stock Purchase Rights may
be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
Employees.

        6. Limitations.

               (a) Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as
either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However,
notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market
Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are
exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under
all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such
Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this
Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order
in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be
determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

               (b) Neither the Plan nor any Option or Stock Purchase Right shall
confer upon an Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's
relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in
any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

               (c) The following limitations shall apply to grants of Options:

                      (i) No Service Provider shall be granted, in any fiscal
year of the Company, Options to purchase more than [_____] Shares.

                      (ii) In connection with his or her initial service, a
Service Provider may be granted Options to purchase up to an additional [______]
Shares which shall not count against the limit set forth in subsection (i)
above.


                                      -6-


<PAGE>   7
                      (iii) The foregoing limitations shall be adjusted
proportionately in connection with any change in the Company's capitalization as
described in Section 13.

                      (iv) If an Option is cancelled in the same fiscal year of
the Company in which it was granted (other than in connection with a transaction
described in Section 13), the cancelled Option will be counted against the
limits set forth in subsections (i) and (ii) above. For this purpose, if the
exercise price of an Option is reduced, the transaction will be treated as a
cancellation of the Option and the grant of a new Option.

        7. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 19 of the Plan, the Plan shall
become effective upon its adoption by the Board. It shall continue in effect for
a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 15 of the Plan.

        8. Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10)
years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the
Option Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to
an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock
representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the
Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such
shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

        9. Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

               (a) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares
to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator, subject to the following:

                      (i) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

                           (A) granted to an Employee who, at the time the
Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent
(10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                           (B) granted to any Employee other than an Employee
described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall
be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

                      (ii) In the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per
Share exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator. In the case of a
Nonstatutory Stock Option intended to qualify as "performance-based
compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the per Share
exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on
the date of grant.


                                      -7-


<PAGE>   8
                      (iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be
granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate
transaction.

               (b) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be
exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the
Option may be exercised.

               (c) Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method
of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall
determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such
consideration may consist entirely of:

                      (i) cash;

                      (ii) check;

                      (iii) promissory note;

                      (iv) other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date of
surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said
Option shall be exercised;

                      (v) consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

                      (vi) a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to
the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

                      (vii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment;
or

                      (viii) such other consideration and method of payment for
the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

        10. Exercise of Option.

               (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at
such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set
forth in the Option Agreement. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise,
vesting of Options granted hereunder shall be tolled during any unpaid leave of
absence. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.


                                      -8-


<PAGE>   9
        An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i)
written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the
Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued
upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if
requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse.
Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books
of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the
Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right
for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as
provided in Section 13 of the Plan.

        Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares
thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the
Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

               (b) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If an
Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Optionee's death
or Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of
time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is
vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of
a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable
for three (3) months following the Optionee's termination. If, on the date of
termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the
Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.
If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within
the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the
Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service
Provider as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise his
or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement
to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option
Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the
Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee's
termination. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to
his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not
exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (d) Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service
Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified
in the Option Agreement (but in no event


                                      -9-


<PAGE>   10
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice
of Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the
Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the
Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months
following the Optionee's termination. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is
not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be
exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's estate or, if none,
by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee's will or
the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within
the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by
such Option shall revert to the Plan.

               (e) Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares an Option previously granted based on
such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and communicate
to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

        11. Stock Purchase Rights.

               (a) Rights to Purchase. Stock Purchase Rights may be issued
either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the
Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator
determines that it will offer Stock Purchase Rights under the Plan, it shall
advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant,
of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the offer, including the
number of Shares that the offeree shall be entitled to purchase, the price to be
paid, and the time within which the offeree must accept such offer. The offer
shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the
form determined by the Administrator.

               (b) Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines
otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a
repurchase option exercisable upon the voluntary or involuntary termination of
the purchaser's service with the Company for any reason (including death or
Disability). The purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the
purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser
to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the
Administrator.

               (c) Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement
shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with
the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

               (d) Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Stock Purchase Right is
exercised, the purchaser shall have the rights equivalent to those of a
shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when his or her purchase is entered upon
the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company. No adjustment
will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to
the date the Stock Purchase Right is exercised, except as provided in Section 13
of the Plan.


                                      -10-


<PAGE>   11
        12. Non-Transferability of Options and Stock Purchase Rights. Unless
determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Option or Stock Purchase Right may
not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any
manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be
exercised, during the lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee. If the
Administrator makes an Option or Stock Purchase Right transferable, such Option
or Stock Purchase Right shall contain such additional terms and conditions as
the Administrator deems appropriate.

        13. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered by
each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right, and the number of shares of
Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to
which no Options or Stock Purchase Rights have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option or Stock
Purchase Right, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each
such outstanding Option or Stock Purchase Right, shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt
of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration." Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or Stock
Purchase Right.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each
Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed
transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an Optionee to
have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days prior to such
transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as
to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the
Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any
Shares purchased upon exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right shall lapse
as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes
place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been
previously exercised, an Option or Stock Purchase Right will terminate
immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

               (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, each outstanding Option and Stock Purchase Right shall be
assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the


                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12
successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In
the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the
Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Optionee shall fully vest in and have the
right to exercise the Option or Stock Purchase Right as to all of the Optioned
Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or
exercisable. If an Option or Stock Purchase Right becomes fully vested and
exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or
sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Optionee in writing or
electronically that the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall be fully vested and
exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and
the Option or Stock Purchase Right shall terminate upon the expiration of such
period. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or Stock Purchase Right
shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the
option or right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of
Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock Purchase Right immediately prior
to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or
other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by
holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the
transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of
consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares);
provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of
assets is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent,
the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide
for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option or Stock
Purchase Right, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its
Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

        14. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Option or Stock Purchase
Right shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the
determination granting such Option or Stock Purchase Right, or such other later
date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be
provided to each Optionee within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

        15. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

               (b) Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply
with Applicable Laws.

               (c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Optionee,
unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the Administrator,
which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee and the Company.
Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise
the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Options granted under the
Plan prior to the date of such termination.


                                      -12-


<PAGE>   13
        16. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

               (a) Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option or Stock Purchase Right unless the exercise of such Option
or Stock Purchase Right and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall
comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of
counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

               (b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of
an Option or Stock Purchase Right, the Company may require the person exercising
such Option or Stock Purchase Right to represent and warrant at the time of any
such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

        17. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority
is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and
sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in
respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite
authority shall not have been obtained.

        18. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

        19. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the
degree required under Applicable Laws.


                                      -13-


<PAGE>   14

                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                 1999 STOCK PLAN


                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.      NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

        [Optionee's Name and Address]

        You have been granted an option to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as
follows:

        Grant Number                     ____________________________________

        Date of Grant                    ____________________________________

        Vesting Commencement Date        ____________________________________

        Exercise Price per Share         $___________________________________

        Total Number of Shares Granted   ____________________________________

        Total Exercise Price             $___________________________________

        Type of Option:                  ___  Incentive Stock Option

                                         ___  Nonstatutory Stock Option

        Term/Expiration Date:            ____________________________________


        Vesting Schedule:

        This Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, in accordance with
the following schedule:

        [25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest twelve months after
the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48 of the Shares subject to the Option
shall vest each month thereafter, subject to the Optionee continuing to be a
Service Provider on such dates].

        Termination Period:

        This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to
be a Service Provider. Upon the death or Disability of the Optionee, this Option
may be exercised for one year


<PAGE>   15

after Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider. In no event shall this Option be
exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

II.     AGREEMENT

        A.     Grant of Option.

        The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby grants to the Optionee
named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of this Agreement (the
"Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the number of Shares, as set
forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per share set forth in the
Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to the terms and conditions of
the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Subject to Section 15(c) of
the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the
Plan and the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, the terms and
conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

        If designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option
("ISO"), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under
Section 422 of the Code. However, if this Option is intended to be an Incentive
Stock Option, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section
422(d) it shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option ("NSO").

        B.     Exercise of Option.

               (a)  Right to Exercise. This Option is exercisable during its
term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and
the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

               (b)  Method of Exercise. This Option is exercisable by delivery
of an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise
Notice"), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised
Shares"), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by
the Company pursuant to the provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be
completed by the Optionee and delivered to [Title] of the Company. The Exercise
Notice shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all
Exercised Shares. This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by
the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such aggregate
Exercise Price.

               No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws. Assuming such
compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be considered
transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised with respect to
such Exercised Shares.

        C.     Method of Payment.

        Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the
following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

                1.   cash; or

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   16

                2.    check; or

                3.    consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

                4.     surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, AND (ii) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised
Shares; or

                5.     with the Administrator's consent, delivery of Optionee's
promissory note (the "Note") in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, in the
amount of the aggregate Exercise Price of the Exercised Shares together with the
execution and delivery by the Optionee of the Security Agreement attached hereto
as Exhibit B. The Note shall bear interest at the "applicable federal rate"
prescribed under the Code and its regulations at time of purchase, and shall be
secured by a pledge of the Shares purchased by the Note pursuant to the Security
Agreement.

        D.     Non-Transferability of Option.

               This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than
by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during
the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms of the Plan and this
Option Agreement shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        E.     Term of Option.

               This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the
Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with
the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

        F.     Tax Consequences.

               Some of the federal tax consequences relating to this Option, as
of the date of this Option, are set forth below. THIS SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY
INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE OPTIONEE
SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE
SHARES.

        G.     Exercising the Option.

                1.    Nonstatutory Stock Option. The Optionee may incur regular
federal income tax liability upon exercise of a NSO. The Optionee will be
treated as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax
rates) equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price. If the
Optionee is an Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be required to
withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee and pay to the
applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a percentage of this
compensation income at the time of exercise, and may refuse to

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   17

honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding amounts are
not delivered at the time of exercise.

                2.    Incentive Stock Option. If this Option qualifies as an
ISO, the Optionee will have no regular federal income tax liability upon its
exercise, although the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised
Shares on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price will be
treated as an adjustment to alternative minimum taxable income for federal tax
purposes and may subject the Optionee to alternative minimum tax in the year of
exercise. In the event that the Optionee ceases to be an Employee but remains a
Service Provider, any Incentive Stock Option of the Optionee that remains
unexercised shall cease to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be
treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option on the date three (3)
months and one (1) day following such change of status.

                3.    Disposition of Shares.

                      (a) NSO. If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for at least
one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be treated as
long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

                      (b) ISO. If the Optionee holds ISO Shares for at least one
year after exercise and two years after the grant date, any gain realized on
disposition of the Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain for federal
income tax purposes. If the Optionee disposes of ISO Shares within one year
after exercise or two years after the grant date, any gain realized on such
disposition will be treated as compensation income (taxable at ordinary income
rates) to the extent of the excess, if any, of the lesser of (A) the difference
between the Fair Market Value of the Shares acquired on the date of exercise and
the aggregate Exercise Price, or (B) the difference between the sale price of
such Shares and the aggregate Exercise Price. Any additional gain will be taxed
as capital gain, short-term or long-term depending on the period that the ISO
Shares were held.

                      (c) Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares. If
the Optionee sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant
to an ISO on or before the later of (i) two years after the grant date, or (ii)
one year after the exercise date, the Optionee shall immediately notify the
Company in writing of such disposition. The Optionee agrees that he or she may
be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income
recognized from such early disposition of ISO Shares by payment in cash or out
of the current earnings paid to the Optionee.

        H.     Entire Agreement; Governing Law.

               The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this
Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings
and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Optionee's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Optionee. This agreement is
governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of
Delaware.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   18

        I.     NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.

               OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES
PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A
SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING
HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). OPTIONEE FURTHER
ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING
PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT
OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE
PROVIDER AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

        By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed
by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an
opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option
Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and Option Agreement.
Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan
and Option Agreement. Optionee further agrees to notify the Company upon any
change in the residence address indicated below.


OPTIONEE:                               BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.


                                        ---------------------------------------
Signature                               By

- --------------------------------        ---------------------------------------
Print Name                              Title

- --------------------------------
Residence Address

- --------------------------------

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   19

                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE



        The undersigned spouse of Optionee has read and hereby approves the
terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement. In consideration of
the Company's granting his or her spouse the right to purchase Shares as set
forth in the Plan and this Option Agreement, the undersigned hereby agrees to be
irrevocably bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option
Agreement and further agrees that any community property interest shall be
similarly bound. The undersigned hereby appoints the undersigned's spouse as
attorney-in-fact for the undersigned with respect to any amendment or exercise
of rights under the Plan or this Option Agreement.



                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Spouse of Optionee



<PAGE>   20
                                    EXHIBIT A


                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                 1999 STOCK PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
1901 Guadalupe Parkway
San Jose CA  95131

Attention:  Secretary

        1. Exercise of Option. Effective as of today, ________________, _____,
the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________ shares
(the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. 1999
Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated, _____ (the "Option
Agreement"). The purchase price for the Shares shall be $__, as required by the
Option Agreement.

        2. Delivery of Payment. Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company the
full purchase price for the Shares.

        3. Representations of Purchaser. Purchaser acknowledges that
Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement
and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

        4. Rights as Shareholder. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive dividends or
any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned
Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Shares so acquired shall
be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option.
No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record
date is prior to the date of issuance, except as provided in [Section 13] of the
Plan.

        5. Tax Consultation. Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition of
the Shares. Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any tax
consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company for
any tax advice.

<PAGE>   21

        6. Entire Agreement; Governing Law. The Plan and Option Agreement
are incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan and the Option
Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and Purchaser with respect to the subject matter
hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by
means of a writing signed by the Company and Purchaser. This agreement is
governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of
Delaware.



Submitted by:                          Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                             BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.


- -------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Signature                              By


- -------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Print Name                             Its


Address:                               Address:

_____________________________________  Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
_____________________________________  1901 Guadalupe Parkway
_____________________________________  San Jose CA  95131
_____________________________________

                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Date Received

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   22

                                    EXHIBIT B

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT



This Security Agreement is made as of __________, _____ between Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Pledgee"), and
_________________________ ("Pledgor").


                                    Recitals

        Pursuant to Pledgor's election to purchase Shares under the Option
Agreement dated ________ (the "Option"), between Pledgor and Pledgee under
Pledgee's 1999 Stock Plan, and Pledgor's election under the terms of the Option
to pay for such shares with his promissory note (the "Note"), Pledgor has
purchased _________ shares of Pledgee's Common Stock (the "Shares") at a price
of $________ per share, for a total purchase price of $__________. The Note and
the obligations thereunder are as set forth in Exhibit C to the Option.

        NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

        1. Creation and Description of Security Interest. In consideration of
the transfer of the Shares to Pledgor under the Option Agreement, Pledgor,
pursuant to the Delaware Commercial Code, hereby pledges all of such Shares
(herein sometimes referred to as the "Collateral") represented by certificate
number ______, duly endorsed in blank or with executed stock powers, and
herewith delivers said certificate to the Secretary of Pledgee ("Pledgeholder"),
who shall hold said certificate subject to the terms and conditions of this
Security Agreement.

               The pledged stock (together with an executed blank stock
assignment for use in transferring all or a portion of the Shares to Pledgee if,
as and when required pursuant to this Security Agreement) shall be held by the
Pledgeholder as security for the repayment of the Note, and any extensions or
renewals thereof, to be executed by Pledgor pursuant to the terms of the Option,
and the Pledgeholder shall not encumber or dispose of such Shares except in
accordance with the provisions of this Security Agreement.

        2. Pledgor's Representations and Covenants. To induce Pledgee to enter
into this Security Agreement, Pledgor represents and covenants to Pledgee, its
successors and assigns, as follows:

               (a)    Payment of Indebtedness. Pledgor will pay the principal
sum of the Note secured hereby, together with interest thereon, at the time and
in the manner provided in the Note.

<PAGE>   23

               (b)    Encumbrances. The Shares are free of all other
encumbrances, defenses and liens, and Pledgor will not further encumber the
Shares without the prior written consent of Pledgee.

               (c)    Margin Regulations. In the event that Pledgee's Common
Stock is now or later becomes margin-listed by the Federal Reserve Board and
Pledgee is classified as a "lender" within the meaning of the regulations under
Part 207 of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations ("Regulation G"),
Pledgor agrees to cooperate with Pledgee in making any amendments to the Note or
providing any additional collateral as may be necessary to comply with such
regulations.

        3. Voting Rights. During the term of this pledge and so long as all
payments of principal and interest are made as they become due under the terms
of the Note, Pledgor shall have the right to vote all of the Shares pledged
hereunder.

        4. Stock Adjustments. In the event that during the term of the pledge
any stock dividend, reclassification, readjustment or other changes are declared
or made in the capital structure of Pledgee, all new, substituted and additional
shares or other securities issued by reason of any such change shall be
delivered to and held by the Pledgee under the terms of this Security Agreement
in the same manner as the Shares originally pledged hereunder. In the event of
substitution of such securities, Pledgor, Pledgee and Pledgeholder shall
cooperate and execute such documents as are reasonable so as to provide for the
substitution of such Collateral and, upon such substitution, references to
"Shares" in this Security Agreement shall include the substituted shares of
capital stock of Pledgor as a result thereof.

        5. Options and Rights. In the event that, during the term of this
pledge, subscription Options or other rights or options shall be issued in
connection with the pledged Shares, such rights, Options and options shall be
the property of Pledgor and, if exercised by Pledgor, all new stock or other
securities so acquired by Pledgor as it relates to the pledged Shares then held
by Pledgeholder shall be immediately delivered to Pledgeholder, to be held under
the terms of this Security Agreement in the same manner as the Shares pledged.

        6. Default. Pledgor shall be deemed to be in default of the Note and of
this Security Agreement in the event:

               (a)    Payment of principal or interest on the Note shall be
delinquent for a period of 10 days or more; or

               (b)    Pledgor fails to perform any of the covenants set forth in
the Option or contained in this Security Agreement for a period of 10 days after
written notice thereof from Pledgee.

               In the case of an event of Default, as set forth above, Pledgee
shall have the right to accelerate payment of the Note upon notice to Pledgor,
and Pledgee shall thereafter be entitled to pursue its remedies under the
Delaware Commercial Code.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   24

        7. Release of Collateral. Subject to any applicable contrary rules under
Regulation G, there shall be released from this pledge a portion of the pledged
Shares held by Pledgeholder hereunder upon payments of the principal of the
Note. The number of the pledged Shares which shall be released shall be that
number of full Shares which bears the same proportion to the initial number of
Shares pledged hereunder as the payment of principal bears to the initial full
principal amount of the Note.

        8. Withdrawal or Substitution of Collateral. Pledgor shall not sell,
withdraw, pledge, substitute or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the
Collateral without the prior written consent of Pledgee.

        9. Term. The within pledge of Shares shall continue until the payment of
all indebtedness secured hereby, at which time the remaining pledged stock shall
be promptly delivered to Pledgor, subject to the provisions for prior release of
a portion of the Collateral as provided in paragraph 7 above.

        10. Insolvency. Pledgor agrees that if a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding is instituted by or against it, or if a receiver is appointed for the
property of Pledgor, or if Pledgor makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors, the entire amount unpaid on the Note shall become immediately due and
payable, and Pledgee may proceed as provided in the case of default.

        11. Pledgeholder Liability. In the absence of willful or gross
negligence, Pledgeholder shall not be liable to any party for any of his acts,
or omissions to act, as Pledgeholder.

        12. Invalidity of Particular Provisions. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that
the enforceability or invalidity of any provision or provisions of this Security
Agreement shall not render any other provision or provisions herein contained
unenforceable or invalid.

        13. Successors or Assigns. Pledgor and Pledgee agree that all of the
terms of this Security Agreement shall be binding on their respective successors
and assigns, and that the term "Pledgor" and the term "Pledgee" as used herein
shall be deemed to include, for all purposes, the respective designees,
successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators.

        14. Governing Law. This Security Agreement shall be interpreted and
governed under the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules,
of Delaware.



                                      -3-
<PAGE>   25

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

"PLEDGOR"                       -----------------------------------------------
                                Signature

                                -----------------------------------------------
                                Print Name

                                Address:
                                         --------------------------------------

                                         --------------------------------------



"PLEDGEE"                      Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
                               a Delaware corporation


                                -----------------------------------------------
                               Signature


                                -----------------------------------------------
                               Print Name


                                -----------------------------------------------
                               Title



"PLEDGEHOLDER"
                               ------------------------------------------------
                               Secretary of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.




                                      -4-
<PAGE>   26

                                    EXHIBIT C

                                      NOTE


$_____________________                                     [City, State]

                                                           -------------, -----

        FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _______________ promises to pay to Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), or order,
the principal sum of _______________________ ($_____________), together with
interest on the unpaid principal hereof from the date hereof at the rate of
_______________ percent (____%) per annum, compounded semiannually.

        Principal and interest shall be due and payable on __________, _____.
Payment of principal and interest shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America.

        The undersigned may at any time prepay all or any portion of the
principal or interest owing hereunder.

        This Note is subject to the terms of the Option, dated as of
________________. This Note is secured in part by a pledge of the Company's
Common Stock under the terms of a Security Agreement of even date herewith and
is subject to all the provisions thereof.

        The holder of this Note shall have full recourse against the
undersigned, and shall not be required to proceed against the collateral
securing this Note in the event of default.

        In the event the undersigned shall cease to be an employee, director or
consultant of the Company for any reason, this Note shall, at the option of the
Company, be accelerated, and the whole unpaid balance on this Note of principal
and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable.

        Should any action be instituted for the collection of this Note, the
reasonable costs and attorneys' fees therein of the holder shall be paid by the
undersigned.



                                            ----------------------------------

                                            ----------------------------------



<PAGE>   27



                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                                 1999 STOCK PLAN

                     NOTICE OF GRANT OF STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT


        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Notice of Grant.

[Grantee's Name and Address]

        You have been granted the right to purchase Common Stock of the Company,
subject to the Company's Repurchase Option and your ongoing status as a Service
Provider (as described in the Plan and the attached Restricted Stock Purchase
Agreement), as follows:

        Grant Number                               _________________________

        Date of Grant                              _________________________

        Price Per Share                            $________________________

        Total Number of Shares Subject             _________________________
          to This Stock Purchase Right

        Expiration Date:                           _________________________


        YOU MUST EXERCISE THIS STOCK PURCHASE RIGHT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE
OR IT WILL TERMINATE AND YOU WILL HAVE NO FURTHER RIGHT TO PURCHASE THE SHARES.
By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative below, you
and the Company agree that this Stock Purchase Right is granted under and
governed by the terms and conditions of the [Plan name] and the Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, both of which are made a
part of this document. You further agree to execute the attached Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement as a condition to purchasing any shares under this
Stock Purchase Right.

GRANTEE:                              BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

- --------------------------------      -------------------------------------
Signature                             By

- --------------------------------      -------------------------------------
Print Name                            Title

<PAGE>   28


                                   EXHIBIT A-1

                                 1999 STOCK PLAN

                       RESTRICTED STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.

        WHEREAS the Purchaser named in the Notice of Grant, (the "Purchaser") is
an Service Provider, and the Purchaser's continued participation is considered
by the Company to be important for the Company's continued growth; and

        WHEREAS in order to give the Purchaser an opportunity to acquire an
equity interest in the Company as an incentive for the Purchaser to participate
in the affairs of the Company, the Administrator has granted to the Purchaser a
Stock Purchase Right subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Notice of Grant, which are incorporated herein by reference, and pursuant to
this Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement").

        NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

        1. Sale of Stock. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the Purchaser and
the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase shares of the Company's Common Stock
(the "Shares"), at the per Share purchase price and as otherwise described in
the Notice of Grant.

        2. Payment of Purchase Price. The purchase price for the Shares may be
paid by delivery to the Company at the time of execution of this Agreement of
cash, a check, or some combination thereof.

        3.     Repurchase Option.

               (a) In the event the Purchaser ceases to be a Service Provider
for any or no reason (including death or disability) before all of the Shares
are released from the Company's Repurchase Option (see Section 4), the Company
shall, upon the date of such termination (as reasonably fixed and determined by
the Company) have an irrevocable, exclusive option (the "Repurchase Option") for
a period of sixty (60) days from such date to repurchase up to that number of
shares which constitute the Unreleased Shares (as defined in Section 4) at the
original purchase price per share (the "Repurchase Price"). The Repurchase
Option shall be exercised by the Company by delivering written notice to the
Purchaser or the Purchaser's executor (with a copy to the Escrow Holder) AND, at
the Company's option, (i) by delivering to the Purchaser or the Purchaser's
executor a check in the amount of the aggregate Repurchase Price, or (ii) by
canceling an amount of the Purchaser's indebtedness to the Company equal to the
aggregate Repurchase Price, or (iii) by a combination of (i) and (ii) so that
the combined payment and cancellation of indebtedness equals the aggregate

<PAGE>   29

Repurchase Price. Upon delivery of such notice and the payment of the aggregate
Repurchase Price, the Company shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the
Shares being repurchased and all rights and interests therein or relating
thereto, and the Company shall have the right to retain and transfer to its own
name the number of Shares being repurchased by the Company.

               (b) Whenever the Company shall have the right to repurchase
Shares hereunder, the Company may designate and assign one or more employees,
officers, directors or shareholders of the Company or other persons or
organizations to exercise all or a part of the Company's purchase rights under
this Agreement and purchase all or a part of such Shares. If the Fair Market
Value of the Shares to be repurchased on the date of such designation or
assignment (the "Repurchase FMV") exceeds the aggregate Repurchase Price of such
Shares, then each such designee or assignee shall pay the Company cash equal to
the difference between the Repurchase FMV and the aggregate Repurchase Price of
such Shares.

        4.     Release of Shares From Repurchase Option.

               (a) ___________________________ percent (______%) of the Shares
shall be released from the Company's Repurchase Option [one year] after the Date
of Grant and __________________ percent (______%) of the Shares [at the end of
each month thereafter], provided that the Purchaser does not cease to be a
Service Provider prior to the date of any such release.

               (b) Any of the Shares that have not yet been released from the
Repurchase Option are referred to herein as "Unreleased Shares."

               (c) The Shares that have been released from the Repurchase
Option shall be delivered to the Purchaser at the Purchaser's request (see
Section 6).

        5. Restriction on Transfer. Except for the escrow described in Section 6
or the transfer of the Shares to the Company or its assignees contemplated by
this Agreement, none of the Shares or any beneficial interest therein shall be
transferred, encumbered or otherwise disposed of in any way until such Shares
are released from the Company's Repurchase Option in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.

        6.     Escrow of Shares.

               (a) To ensure the availability for delivery of the Purchaser's
Unreleased Shares upon repurchase by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase
Option, the Purchaser shall, upon execution of this Agreement, deliver and
deposit with an escrow holder designated by the Company (the "Escrow Holder")
the share certificates representing the Unreleased Shares, together with the
stock assignment duly endorsed in blank, attached hereto as Exhibit A-2. The
Unreleased Shares and stock assignment shall be held by the Escrow Holder,
pursuant to the Joint Escrow Instructions of the Company and Purchaser attached
hereto as Exhibit A-3, until such time as the Company's

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   30

Repurchase Option expires. As a further condition to the Company's obligations
under this Agreement, the Company may require the spouse of Purchaser, if any,
to execute and deliver to the Company the Consent of Spouse attached hereto as
Exhibit A-4.

               (b) The Escrow Holder shall not be liable for any act it may
do or omit to do with respect to holding the Unreleased Shares in escrow while
acting in good faith and in the exercise of its judgment.

               (c) If the Company or any assignee exercises the Repurchase
Option hereunder, the Escrow Holder, upon receipt of written notice of such
exercise from the proposed transferee, shall take all steps necessary to
accomplish such transfer.

               (d) When the Repurchase Option has been exercised or expires
unexercised or a portion of the Shares has been released from the Repurchase
Option, upon request the Escrow Holder shall promptly cause a new certificate to
be issued for the released Shares and shall deliver the certificate to the
Company or the Purchaser, as the case may be.

               (e) Subject to the terms hereof, the Purchaser shall have all
the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Shares while they are held in
escrow, including without limitation, the right to vote the Shares and to
receive any cash dividends declared thereon. If, from time to time during the
term of the Repurchase Option, there is (i) any stock dividend, stock split or
other change in the Shares, or (ii) any merger or sale of all or substantially
all of the assets or other acquisition of the Company, any and all new,
substituted or additional securities to which the Purchaser is entitled by
reason of the Purchaser's ownership of the Shares shall be immediately subject
to this escrow, deposited with the Escrow Holder and included thereafter as
"Shares" for purposes of this Agreement and the Repurchase Option.

        7. Legends. The share certificate evidencing the Shares, if any, issued
hereunder shall be endorsed with the following legend (in addition to any legend
required under applicable state securities laws):

               THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN
RESTRICTIONS UPON TRANSFER AND RIGHTS OF REPURCHASE AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE WITH THE
SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

        8. Adjustment for Stock Split. All references to the number of Shares
and the purchase price of the Shares in this Agreement shall be appropriately
adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or other change in the
Shares that may be made by the Company after the date of this Agreement.

        9. Tax Consequences. The Purchaser has reviewed with the Purchaser's own
tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this
investment and the transactions

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   31

contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser is relying solely on such advisors
and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its
agents. The Purchaser understands that the Purchaser (and not the Company) shall
be responsible for the Purchaser's own tax liability that may arise as a result
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser understands
that Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
taxes as ordinary income the difference between the purchase price for the
Shares and the Fair Market Value of the Shares as of the date any restrictions
on the Shares lapse. In this context, "restriction" includes the right of the
Company to buy back the Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option. The Purchaser
understands that the Purchaser may elect to be taxed at the time the Shares are
purchased rather than when and as the Repurchase Option expires by filing an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the IRS within 30 days from the
date of purchase. The form for making this election is attached as Exhibit A-5
hereto.

               THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS THE PURCHASER'S SOLE
RESPONSIBILITY AND NOT THE COMPANY'S TO FILE TIMELY THE ELECTION UNDER SECTION
83(b), EVEN IF THE PURCHASER REQUESTS THE COMPANY OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES TO MAKE
THIS FILING ON THE PURCHASER'S BEHALF.

        10.    General Provisions.

               (a) This Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules of Delaware. This Agreement,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant,
represents the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the purchase
of the Shares by the Purchaser. Subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan, in the
event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall
prevail. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Agreement.

               (b) Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be
given by either the Company or the Purchaser pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered
personally or deposited in the U.S. mail, First Class with postage prepaid, and
addressed to the parties at the addresses of the parties set forth at the end of
this Agreement or such other address as a party may request by notifying the
other in writing.

                   Any notice to the Escrow Holder shall be sent to the
Company's address with a copy to the other party hereto.

               (c) The rights of the Company under this Agreement shall be
transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and
agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the
Company's successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of the Purchaser
under this Agreement may only be assigned with the prior written consent of the
Company.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   32

               (d) Either party's failure to enforce any provision of this
Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision,
nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing any other provision of this
Agreement. The rights granted both parties hereunder are cumulative and shall
not constitute a waiver of either party's right to assert any other legal remedy
available to it.

               (e) The Purchaser agrees upon request to execute any further
documents or instruments necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes or
intent of this Agreement.

               (f) PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF
SHARES PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING SERVICE AS A
SERVICE PROVIDER AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING
HIRED OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER). PURCHASER FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES
THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING
SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF
CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY
PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH PURCHASER'S RIGHT OR THE
COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE PURCHASER'S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER AT
ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

        By Purchaser's signature below, Purchaser represents that he or she is
familiar with the terms and provisions of the Plan, and hereby accepts this
Agreement subject to all of the terms and provisions thereof. Purchaser has
reviewed the Plan and this Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity
to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Agreement and fully
understands all provisions of this Agreement. Purchaser agrees to accept as
binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the
Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.
Purchaser further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence
indicated in the Notice of Grant.



DATED: ----------------------------

PURCHASER:                                  Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.


- -----------------------------------         ----------------------------------
Signature                                   By

- -----------------------------------         ----------------------------------
Print Name                                  Title


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   33

                                   EXHIBIT A-2

                      ASSIGNMENT SEPARATE FROM CERTIFICATE


        FOR VALUE RECEIVED I, __________________________, hereby sell, assign
and transfer unto (__________) shares of the Common Stock of Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc. standing in my name of the books of said
corporation represented by Certificate No. _____ herewith and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint ___________ to transfer the said stock on
the books of the within named corporation with full power of substitution in
the premises.

        This Stock Assignment may be used only in accordance with the Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") between________________________ and
the undersigned dated ______________, _____.


Dated: _______________, _____

                                       Signature:______________________________





        INSTRUCTIONS: Please do not fill in any blanks other than the signature
line. The purpose of this assignment is to enable the Company to exercise the
Repurchase Option, as set forth in the Agreement, without requiring additional
signatures on the part of the Purchaser.



<PAGE>   34

                                   EXHIBIT A-3

                            JOINT ESCROW INSTRUCTIONS

                                                                  --------, --

Corporate Secretary
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
1901 Guadalupe Parkway
San Jose CA  95131

Dear __________:

        As Escrow Agent for both Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the undersigned purchaser of stock of
the Company (the "Purchaser"), you are hereby authorized and directed to hold
the documents delivered to you pursuant to the terms of that certain Restricted
Stock Purchase Agreement ("Agreement") between the Company and the undersigned,
in accordance with the following instructions:

        1. In the event the Company and/or any assignee of the Company (referred
to collectively as the "Company") exercises the Company's Repurchase Option set
forth in the Agreement, the Company shall give to Purchaser and you a written
notice specifying the number of shares of stock to be purchased, the purchase
price, and the time for a closing hereunder at the principal office of the
Company. Purchaser and the Company hereby irrevocably authorize and direct you
to close the transaction contemplated by such notice in accordance with the
terms of said notice.

        2. At the closing, you are directed (a) to date the stock assignments
necessary for the transfer in question, (b) to fill in the number of shares
being transferred, and (c) to deliver same, together with the certificate
evidencing the shares of stock to be transferred, to the Company or its
assignee, against the simultaneous delivery to you of the purchase price (by
cash, a check, or some combination thereof) for the number of shares of stock
being purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Company's Repurchase Option.

        3. Purchaser irrevocably authorizes the Company to deposit with you any
certificates evidencing shares of stock to be held by you hereunder and any
additions and substitutions to said shares as defined in the Agreement.
Purchaser does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint you as Purchaser's
attorney-in-fact and agent for the term of this escrow to execute with respect
to such securities all documents necessary or appropriate to make such
securities negotiable and to complete any transaction herein contemplated,
including but not limited to the filing with any applicable state blue sky
authority of any required applications for consent to, or notice of transfer of,
the securities. Subject to the provisions of this paragraph 3, Purchaser shall
exercise all rights and privileges of a shareholder of the Company while the
stock is held by you.

<PAGE>   35

        4. Upon written request of the Purchaser, but no more than once per
calendar year, unless the Company's Repurchase Option has been exercised, you
shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing so many
shares of stock as are not then subject to the Company's Repurchase Option.
Within 90 days after Purchaser ceases to be a Service Provider, you shall
deliver to Purchaser a certificate or certificates representing the aggregate
number of shares held or issued pursuant to the Agreement and not purchased by
the Company or its assignees pursuant to exercise of the Company's Repurchase
Option.

        5. If at the time of termination of this escrow you should have in your
possession any documents, securities, or other property belonging to Purchaser,
you shall deliver all of the same to Purchaser and shall be discharged of all
further obligations hereunder.

        6. Your duties hereunder may be altered, amended, modified or revoked
only by a writing signed by all of the parties hereto.

        7. You shall be obligated only for the performance of such duties as are
specifically set forth herein and may rely and shall be protected in relying or
refraining from acting on any instrument reasonably believed by you to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. You
shall not be personally liable for any act you may do or omit to do hereunder as
Escrow Agent or as attorney-in-fact for Purchaser while acting in good faith,
and any act done or omitted by you pursuant to the advice of your own attorneys
shall be conclusive evidence of such good faith.

        8. You are hereby expressly authorized to disregard any and all warnings
given by any of the parties hereto or by any other person or corporation,
excepting only orders or process of courts of law, and are hereby expressly
authorized to comply with and obey orders, judgments or decrees of any court. In
case you obey or comply with any such order, judgment or decree, you shall not
be liable to any of the parties hereto or to any other person, firm or
corporation by reason of such compliance, notwithstanding any such order,
judgment or decree being subsequently reversed, modified, annulled, set aside,
vacated or found to have been entered without jurisdiction.

        9. You shall not be liable in any respect on account of the identity,
authorities or rights of the parties executing or delivering or purporting to
execute or deliver the Agreement or any documents or papers deposited or called
for hereunder.

        10. You shall not be liable for the outlawing of any rights under the
statute of limitations with respect to these Joint Escrow Instructions or any
documents deposited with you.

        11. You shall be entitled to employ such legal counsel and other experts
as you may deem necessary properly to advise you in connection with your
obligations hereunder, may rely upon the advice of such counsel, and may pay
such counsel reasonable compensation therefor.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   36

        12. Your responsibilities as Escrow Agent hereunder shall terminate if
you shall cease to be an officer or agent of the Company or if you shall resign
by written notice to each party. In the event of any such termination, the
Company shall appoint a successor Escrow Agent.

        13. If you reasonably require other or further instruments in connection
with these Joint Escrow Instructions or obligations in respect hereto, the
necessary parties hereto shall join in furnishing such instruments.

        14. It is understood and agreed that should any dispute arise with
respect to the delivery and/or ownership or right of possession of the
securities held by you hereunder, you are authorized and directed to retain in
your possession without liability to anyone all or any part of said securities
until such disputes shall have been settled either by mutual written agreement
of the parties concerned or by a final order, decree or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction after the time for appeal has expired and no appeal has
been perfected, but you shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend
any such proceedings.

        15. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in writing
and shall be deemed effectively given upon personal delivery or upon deposit in
the United States Post Office, by registered or certified mail with postage and
fees prepaid, addressed to each of the other parties thereunto entitled at the
following addresses or at such other addresses as a party may designate by ten
days' advance written notice to each of the other parties hereto.

        COMPANY:                      Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
                                      1901 Guadalupe Parkway
                                      San Jose CA  95131

        PURCHASER:

        ESCROW AGENT:                 Corporate Secretary
                                      Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
                                      1901 Guadalupe Parkway
                                      San Jose CA  95131

        16. By signing these Joint Escrow Instructions, you become a party
hereto only for the purpose of said Joint Escrow Instructions; you do not become
a party to the Agreement.

        17. This instrument shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   37

        18. These Joint Escrow Instructions shall be governed by, and construed
and enforced in accordance with, the internal substantive laws, but not the
choice of law rules, of Delaware.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.


                                    -------------------------------------
                                    By

                                     -------------------------------------
                                    Title

                                    PURCHASER:

                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Signature

                                    -------------------------------------
                                    Print Name

        ESCROW AGENT:


        -------------------------------------
        Corporate Secretary


                                      -4-
<PAGE>   38

                                   EXHIBIT A-4

                                CONSENT OF SPOUSE


        I, ____________________, spouse of ___________________, have read and
approve the foregoing Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement"). In
consideration of the Company's grant to my spouse of the right to purchase
shares of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., as set forth in the Agreement, I
hereby appoint my spouse as my attorney-in-fact in respect to the exercise of
any rights under the Agreement and agree to be bound by the provisions of the
Agreement insofar as I may have any rights in said Agreement or any shares
issued pursuant thereto under the community property laws or similar laws
relating to marital property in effect in the state of our residence as of the
date of the signing of the foregoing Agreement.

Dated: _______________, _____



- ------------------------------------------
Signature of Spouse



<PAGE>   39
                                   EXHIBIT A-5

                          ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b)
                      OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986

The undersigned taxpayer hereby elects, pursuant to Section 83(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to include in taxpayer's gross income
for the current taxable year the amount of any compensation taxable to taxpayer
in connection with his or her receipt of the property described below:

1.      The name, address, taxpayer identification number and taxable year of
        the undersigned are as follows:

        NAME:                TAXPAYER:                    SPOUSE:

        ADDRESS:

        IDENTIFICATION NO.:  TAXPAYER:                    SPOUSE:

        TAXABLE YEAR:

2.      The property with respect to which the election is made is described as
        follows: shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Brocade
        Communications Systems, Inc. (the "Company").

3.      The date on which the property was transferred is:       ,         .

4.      The property is subject to the following restrictions:

        The Shares may be repurchased by the Company, or its assignee, upon
        certain events. This right lapses with regard to a portion of the Shares
        based on the continued performance of services by the taxpayer over
        time.

5.      The fair market value at the time of transfer, determined without regard
        to any restriction other than a restriction which by its terms will
        never lapse, of such property is:
        $---------------.

6.      The amount (if any) paid for such property is:
        $---------------.

The undersigned has submitted a copy of this statement to the person for whom
the services were performed in connection with the undersigned's receipt of the
above-described property. The transferee of such property is the person
performing the services in connection with the transfer of said property.

The undersigned understands that the foregoing election may not be revoked
except with the consent of the Commissioner.

Dated:  _________________, ____             __________________________________
                                            Taxpayer

The undersigned spouse of taxpayer joins in this election.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   40

Dated:  _________________, ____             __________________________________
                                            Spouse of Taxpayer

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN



        1. Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the
Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common
Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. It is the intention
of the Company to have the Plan qualify as an "Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The
provisions of the Plan, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and
limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section
of the Code.

        2. Definitions.

               (a) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (b) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.

               (c) "Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

               (d) "Company" shall mean Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and any Designated Subsidiary of the Company.

               (e) "Compensation" shall mean all base straight time gross
earnings and commissions, exclusive of payments for overtime, shift premium,
incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses and other compensation.

               (f) "Designated Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary which has
been designated by the Board from time to time in its sole discretion as
eligible to participate in the Plan.

               (g) "Employee" shall mean any individual who is an Employee of
the Company for tax purposes whose customary employment with the Company is at
least twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months in any calendar
year. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as
continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of
absence approved by the Company. Where the period of leave exceeds 90 days and
the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by
contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the
91st day of such leave.

               (h) "Enrollment Date" shall mean the first day of each Offering
Period.

               (i) "Exercise Date" shall mean the last day of each Offering
Period.

               (j) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:


<PAGE>   2
                      (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for
the last market trading day on the date of such determination, as reported in
The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

                      (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair
Market Value shall be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the
Common Stock on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street
Journal or such other source as the Board deems reliable, or;

                      (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Board.

                      (iv) For purposes of the Enrollment Date of the first
Offering Period under the Plan, the Fair Market Value shall be the initial price
to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included within the
registration statement in Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission for the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock (the
"Registration Statement").

               (k) "Offering Period" shall mean a period of approximately six
(6) months during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised,
commencing on the first Trading Day on or after June 1 and terminating on the
last Trading Day in the period ending the following November 30, or commencing
on the first Trading Day on or after December 1 and terminating on the last
Trading Day in the period ending the following May 31; provided, however, that
the first Offering Period under the Plan shall commence with the first Trading
Day on or after the date on which the Securities and Exchange Commission
declares the Company's Registration Statement effective and ending on the last
Trading Day on or before November 30, 1999. The duration of Offering Periods may
be changed pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

               (l) "Plan" shall mean this Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

               (m) "Purchase Price" shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the
Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Enrollment Date or on the
Exercise Date, whichever is lower; provided, however, that the Purchase Price
may be adjusted by the Board pursuant to Section 20.

               (n) "Reserves" shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock
covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the
number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under
the Plan but not yet placed under option.


                                       2


<PAGE>   3
               (o) "Subsidiary" shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign,
of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a
Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized
or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.

               (p) "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which national stock
exchanges and the Nasdaq System are open for trading.

        3. Eligibility.

               (a) Any Employee who shall be employed by the Company on a given
Enrollment Date shall be eligible to participate in the Plan.

               (b) Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding,
no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan (i) to the extent that,
immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock
would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code)
would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to
purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined
voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of
any Subsidiary, or (ii) to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock
under all employee stock purchase plans of the Company and its subsidiaries
accrues at a rate which exceeds Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) worth of
stock (determined at the fair market value of the shares at the time such option
is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any
time.

        4. Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive
Offering Periods with a new Offering Period commencing on the first Trading Day
on or after June 1 and December 1 each year, or on such other date as the Board
shall determine, and continuing thereafter until terminated in accordance with
Section 20 hereof; provided, however, that the first Offering Period under the
Plan shall commence with the first Trading Day on or after the date on which the
Securities and Exchange Commission declares the Company's Registration Statement
effective and ending on the last Trading Day on or before November 30, 1999. The
Board shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods (including
the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings without
stockholder approval if such change is announced at least five (5) days prior to
the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter.

        5. Participation.

               (a) An eligible Employee may become a participant in the Plan by
completing a subscription agreement authorizing payroll deductions in the form
of Exhibit A to this Plan and filing it with the Company's payroll office prior
to the applicable Enrollment Date.

               (b) Payroll deductions for a participant shall commence on the
first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in
the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner
terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.


                                       3


<PAGE>   4
        6. Payroll Deductions.

               (a) At the time a participant files his or her subscription
agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each pay day
during the Offering Period in an amount not exceeding fifteen percent (15%) of
the Compensation which he or she receives on each pay day during the Offering
Period.

               (b) All payroll deductions made for a participant shall be
credited to his or her account under the Plan and shall be withheld in whole
percentages only. A participant may not make any additional payments into such
account.

               (c) A participant may discontinue his or her participation in the
Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, or may increase or decrease the rate of
his or her payroll deductions during the Offering Period by completing or filing
with the Company a new subscription agreement authorizing a change in payroll
deduction rate. The Board may, in its discretion, limit the number of
participation rate changes during any Offering Period. The change in rate shall
be effective with the first full payroll period following five (5) business days
after the Company's receipt of the new subscription agreement unless the Company
elects to process a given change in participation more quickly. A participant's
subscription agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods
unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof.

               (d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to
comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(b) hereof, a
participant's payroll deductions may be decreased to zero percent (0%) at any
time during an Offering Period. Payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate
provided in such participant's subscription agreement at the beginning of the
first Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year,
unless terminated by the participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.

               (e) At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or
at the time some or all of the Company's Common Stock issued under the Plan is
disposed of, the participant must make adequate provision for the Company's
federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon
the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock. At any time,
the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the participant's
compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding
obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company
any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of
Common Stock by the Employee.

        7. Grant of Option. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each
eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted an
option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the
applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of the Company's Common
Stock determined by dividing such Employee's payroll deductions accumulated
prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the
Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that in no event shall
an Employee be permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than 3000
shares (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 19), and provided further
that such purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in


                                       4


<PAGE>   5
Sections 3(b) and 12 hereof. Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in
Section 8 hereof, unless the participant has withdrawn pursuant to Section 10
hereof. The Option shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period.

        8. Exercise of Option. Unless a participant withdraws from the Plan as
provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares
shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of
full shares subject to option shall be purchased for such participant at the
applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions in his or her
account. No fractional shares shall be purchased; any payroll deductions
accumulated in a participant's account which are not sufficient to purchase a
full share shall be retained in the participant's account for the subsequent
Offering Period, subject to earlier withdrawal by the participant as provided in
Section 10 hereof. Any other monies left over in a participant's account after
the Exercise Date shall be returned to the participant. During a participant's
lifetime, a participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable
only by him or her.

        9. Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date on
which a purchase of shares occurs, the Company shall arrange the delivery to
each participant, as appropriate, the shares purchased upon exercise of his or
her option.

        10. Withdrawal.

               (a) A participant may withdraw all but not less than all the
payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise
his or her option under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the
Company in the form of Exhibit B to this Plan. All of the participant's payroll
deductions credited to his or her account shall be paid to such participant
promptly after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such participant's option for
the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll
deductions for the purchase of shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If
a participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not
resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the participant
delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement.

               (b) A participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not
have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan
which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods
which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the
participant withdraws.

        11. Termination of Employment. Upon a participant's ceasing to be an
Employee for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw
from the Plan and the payroll deductions credited to such participant's account
during the Offering Period but not yet used to exercise the option shall be
returned to such participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person
or persons entitled thereto under Section 15 hereof, and such participant's
option shall be automatically terminated. The preceding sentence
notwithstanding, a participant who receives payment in lieu of notice of
termination of employment shall be treated as continuing to be an Employee for
the participant's customary number of hours per week of employment during the
period in which the participant is subject to such payment in lieu of notice.


                                       5


<PAGE>   6
        12. Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions of a
participant in the Plan.

        13. Stock.

               (a) Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the
Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, the maximum number of shares of the
Company's Common Stock which shall be made available for sale under the Plan
shall be 200,000 shares, plus an annual increase to be added on the first day of
the Company's fiscal year beginning in 2000 equal to the lesser of (i) 2,500,000
shares, (ii) 2.5% of the outstanding shares on such date or (iii) a lesser
amount determined by the Board. If, on a given Exercise Date, the number of
shares with respect to which options are to be exercised exceeds the number of
shares then available under the Plan, the Company shall make a pro rata
allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase in as uniform a manner
as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable.

               (b) The participant shall have no interest or voting right in
shares covered by his option until such option has been exercised.

               (c) Shares to be delivered to a participant under the Plan shall
be registered in the name of the participant or in the name of the participant
and his or her spouse.

        14. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a
committee of members of the Board appointed by the Board. The Board or its
committee shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility and to
adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan. Every finding, decision and
determination made by the Board or its committee shall, to the full extent
permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties.

        15. Designation of Beneficiary.

               (a) A participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary
who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the participant's account
under the Plan in the event of such participant's death subsequent to an
Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such
participant of such shares and cash. In addition, a participant may file a
written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the
participant's account under the Plan in the event of such participant's death
prior to exercise of the option. If a participant is married and the designated
beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such
designation to be effective.

               (b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the
participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a
participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the
Plan who is living at the time of such participant's death, the Company shall
deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate
of the participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed
(to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver
such shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more


                                       6


<PAGE>   7
dependents or relatives of the participant, or if no spouse, dependent or
relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may
designate.

        16. Transferability. Neither payroll deductions credited to a
participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or
to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and
distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the participant. Any such
attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without
effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw
funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.

        17. Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company
under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the
Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.

        18. Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each
participant in the Plan. Statements of account shall be given to participating
Employees at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of
payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of shares purchased and the
remaining cash balance, if any.

        19. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution,
            Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the Reserves, the maximum number of shares each
participant may purchase per Offering Period (pursuant to Section 7), as well as
the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each
option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common
Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend,
combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or
decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration". Such adjustment shall be made by the Board,
whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive.
Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of
stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class,
shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to,
the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress
shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New Exercise Date"), and
shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed
dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Board. The New
Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed dissolution or
liquidation. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at least ten
(10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for
the participant's option has been changed to the


                                       7


<PAGE>   8
New Exercise Date and that the participant's option shall be exercised
automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the
participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10
hereof.

               (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company
with or into another corporation, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an
equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or
Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor
corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, the Offering Period
then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the "New
Exercise Date"). The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's
proposed sale or merger. The Board shall notify each participant in writing, at
least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise
Date for the participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and
that the participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New
Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the participant has withdrawn from the
Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.

        20. Amendment or Termination.

               (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time and for
any reason terminate or amend the Plan. Except as provided in Section 19 hereof,
no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an
Offering Period may be terminated by the Board of Directors on any Exercise Date
if the Board determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the Plan
is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Except as provided
in Section 19 and Section 20 hereof, no amendment may make any change in any
option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any
participant. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or
any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule), the Company shall
obtain shareholder approval in such a manner and to such a degree as required.

               (b) Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any
participant rights may be considered to have been "adversely affected," the
Board (or its committee) shall be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit
the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering
Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the
amount designated by a participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in
the Company's processing of properly completed withholding elections, establish
reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting
procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock
for each participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the
participant's Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures
as the Board (or its committee) determines in its sole discretion advisable
which are consistent with the Plan.

               (c) In the event the Board determines that the ongoing operation
of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the
Board may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify
or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including,
but not limited to:


                                       8


<PAGE>   9
                      (i) altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period
including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase
Price;

                      (ii) shortening any Offering Period so that Offering
Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the
time of the Board action; and

                      (iii) allocating shares.

        Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval
or the consent of any Plan participants.

        21. Notices. All notices or other communications by a participant to the
Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly
given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by
the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

        22. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued with
respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and
delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable
provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements
of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such
compliance.

        As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require the
person exercising such option to represent and warrant at the time of any such
exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any
present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of
counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the
aforementioned applicable provisions of law.

        23. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board of Directors or its approval by the
stockholders of the Company. It shall continue in effect for a term of ten (10)
years unless sooner terminated under Section 20 hereof.


                                       9


<PAGE>   10
                                    EXHIBIT A



                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                             SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT



        _____ Original Application                     Enrollment Date: _______

        _____ Change in Payroll Deduction Rate

        _____ Change of Beneficiary(ies)

        1. _____________________________________ hereby elects to participate in
the Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Employee Stock Purchase Plan") and subscribes to purchase shares of the
Company's Common Stock in accordance with this Subscription Agreement and the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

        2. I hereby authorize payroll deductions from each paycheck in the
amount of ____% of my Compensation on each payday (from 1 to 15%) during the
Offering Period in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (Please
note that no fractional percentages are permitted.)

        3. I understand that said payroll deductions shall be accumulated for
the purchase of shares of Common Stock at the applicable Purchase Price
determined in accordance with the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. I understand
that if I do not withdraw from an Offering Period, any accumulated payroll
deductions will be used to automatically exercise my option.

        4. I have received a copy of the complete Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
I understand that my participation in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is in all
respects subject to the terms of the Plan. I understand that my ability to
exercise the option under this Subscription Agreement is subject to stockholder
approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

        5. Shares purchased for me under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan should
be issued in the name(s) of (Employee or Employee and Spouse only):.

        6. I understand that if I dispose of any shares received by me pursuant
to the Plan within 2 years after the Enrollment Date (the first day of the
Offering Period during which I purchased such shares), I will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as having received ordinary income at the


<PAGE>   11
time of such disposition in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market
value of the shares at the time such shares were purchased by me over the price
which I paid for the shares. I hereby agree to notify the Company in writing
within 30 days after the date of any disposition of shares and I will make
adequate provision for Federal, state or other tax withholding obligations, if
any, which arise upon the disposition of the Common Stock. The Company may, but
will not be obligated to, withhold from my compensation the amount necessary to
meet any applicable withholding obligation including any withholding necessary
to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to
sale or early disposition of Common Stock by me. If I dispose of such shares at
any time after the expiration of the 2-year holding period, I understand that I
will be treated for federal income tax purposes as having received income only
at the time of such disposition, and that such income will be taxed as ordinary
income only to the extent of an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the excess of
the fair market value of the shares at the time of such disposition over the
purchase price which I paid for the shares, or (2) 15% of the fair market value
of the shares on the first day of the Offering Period. The remainder of the
gain, if any, recognized on such disposition will be taxed as capital gain.

        7. I hereby agree to be bound by the terms of the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan. The effectiveness of this Subscription Agreement is dependent
upon my eligibility to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

        8. In the event of my death, I hereby designate the following as my
beneficiary(ies) to receive all payments and shares due me under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan




NAME:  (Please print)
                      ---------------------------------------------------------
                        (First)          (Middle)                 (Last)


- --------------------------------------------------
Relationship


- --------------------------------------------------
(Address)


Employee's Social Security Number:
                                   -------------------------------

Employee's Address:
                      -------------------------------------------------

                      -------------------------------------------------

                      -----------------------------------------------


                                       2


<PAGE>   12
        I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT SHALL REMAIN IN EFFECT
THROUGHOUT SUCCESSIVE OFFERING PERIODS UNLESS TERMINATED BY ME.


Dated:
       ------------------------             ----------------------------------
                                            Signature of Employee


                                            ----------------------------------
                                            Spouse's Signature
                                            (If beneficiary other than spouse)


<PAGE>   13
                                    EXHIBIT B



                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                        1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                              NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL



        The undersigned participant in the Offering Period of the Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan which began on
___________, ______ (the "Enrollment Date") hereby notifies the Company that he
or she hereby withdraws from the Offering Period. He or she hereby directs the
Company to pay to the undersigned as promptly as practicable all the payroll
deductions credited to his or her account with respect to such Offering Period.
The undersigned understands and agrees that his or her option for such Offering
Period will be automatically terminated. The undersigned understands further
that no further payroll deductions will be made for the purchase of shares in
the current Offering Period and the undersigned shall be eligible to participate
in succeeding Offering Periods only by delivering to the Company a new
Subscription Agreement.



Name and Address of Participant:

- ------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------

- ------------------------------------

Signature:

- ------------------------------------

Date:
      -------------------------------



<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 4.3

                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.

                            1999 DIRECTOR OPTION PLAN


        1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 1999 Director Option Plan
are to attract and retain the best available personnel for service as Outside
Directors (as defined herein) of the Company, to provide additional incentive to
the Outside Directors of the Company to serve as Directors, and to encourage
their continued service on the Board.

               All options granted hereunder shall be nonstatutory stock
options.

        2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

               (a) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (b) "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               (c) "Common Stock" means the common stock of the Company.

               (d) "Company" means Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.

               (e) "Director" means a member of the Board.

               (f) "Disability" means total and permanent disability as defined
in section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

               (g) "Employee" means any person, including officers and
Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.
The payment of a Director's fee by the Company shall not be sufficient in and of
itself to constitute "employment" by the Company.

               (h) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (i) "Fair Market Value" means, as of any date, the value of
Common Stock determined as follows:

                      (i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system


<PAGE>   2
for the last market trading day prior to the time of determination as reported
in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems
reliable;

                      (ii) If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a
recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair
Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid
and low asked prices for the Common Stock for the last market trading day prior
to the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Board deems reliable; or

                      (iii) In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by
the Board.

               (j) "Inside Director" means a Director who is an Employee.

               (k) "Option" means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

               (l) "Optioned Stock" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

               (m) "Optionee" means a Director who holds an Option.

               (n) "Outside Director" means a Director who is not an Employee;
provided, however, that the term "Outside Director" shall not include Mark
Leslie or Larry Sonsini until January 31, 2002.

               (o) "Parent" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

               (p) "Plan" means this 1999 Director Option Plan.

               (q) "Share" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 10 of the Plan.

               (r) "Subsidiary" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.

        3. Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 of
the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and sold
under the Plan is 200,000 Shares (the "Pool"). The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

               If an Option expires or becomes unexercisable without having been
exercised in full, the unpurchased Shares which were subject thereto shall
become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has
terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be
returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution
under the Plan.


                                      -2-


<PAGE>   3
        4. Administration and Grants of Options under the Plan.

               (a) Procedure for Grants. All grants of Options to Outside
Directors under this Plan shall be automatic and nondiscretionary and shall be
made strictly in accordance with the following provisions; provided, however,
that the Board may, in its sole discretion, provide that certain Outside
Directors are not eligible to receive grants of Options for specified periods of
time.

                      (i) No person shall have any discretion to select which
Outside Directors shall be granted Options or to determine the number of Shares
to be covered by Options.

                      (ii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted
an Option to purchase 2,500 Shares (the "First Option") on the date on which
such person first becomes an Outside Director, whether through election by the
shareholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy;
provided, however, that an Inside Director who ceases to be an Inside Director
but who remains a Director shall not receive a First Option.

                      (iii) Each Outside Director shall be automatically granted
an Option to purchase 2,500 Shares (a "Subsequent Option") on the first day of
each quarter of each year provided he or she is then an Outside Director and if
as of such date, he or she shall have served on the Board for at least the
preceding month.

                      (iv) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (ii)
and (iii) hereof, any exercise of an Option granted before the Company has
obtained shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof
shall be conditioned upon obtaining such shareholder approval of the Plan in
accordance with Section 16 hereof.

                      (v) The terms of a First Option granted hereunder shall be
as follows:

                           (A) the term of the First Option shall be ten (10)
years.

                           (B) the First Option shall be exercisable only while
the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set forth in
Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                           (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the First Option.

                           (D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the First Option
shall become exercisable as to one-hundred percent of the Shares subject to the
First Option on each anniversary of its date of grant, provided that the
Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.


                                       -3-


<PAGE>   4
                      (vi) The terms of a Subsequent Option granted hereunder
shall be as follows:

                           (A) the term of the Subsequent Option shall be ten
(10) years.

                           (B) the Subsequent Option shall be exercisable only
while the Outside Director remains a Director of the Company, except as set
forth in Sections 8 and 10 hereof.

                           (C) the exercise price per Share shall be 100% of the
Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Subsequent Option.

                           (D) subject to Section 10 hereof, the Subsequent
Option shall become exercisable as to one-hundred percent of the Shares subject
to the Subsequent Option on each anniversary of its date of grant, provided that
the Optionee continues to serve as a Director on such dates.

                      (vii) In the event that any Option granted under the Plan
would cause the number of Shares subject to outstanding Options plus the number
of Shares previously purchased under Options to exceed the Pool, then the
remaining Shares available for Option grant shall be granted under Options to
the Outside Directors on a pro rata basis. No further grants shall be made until
such time, if any, as additional Shares become available for grant under the
Plan through action of the Board or the shareholders to increase the number of
Shares which may be issued under the Plan or through cancellation or expiration
of Options previously granted hereunder.

        5. Eligibility. Options may be granted only to Outside Directors. All
Options shall be automatically granted in accordance with the terms set forth in
Section 4 hereof.

               The Plan shall not confer upon any Optionee any right with
respect to continuation of service as a Director or nomination to serve as a
Director, nor shall it interfere in any way with any rights which the Director
or the Company may have to terminate the Director's relationship with the
Company at any time.

        6. Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon the earlier to
occur of its adoption by the Board or its approval by the shareholders of the
Company as described in Section 16 of the Plan. It shall continue in effect for
a term of ten (10) years unless sooner terminated under Section 11 of the Plan.

        7. Form of Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to
be issued upon exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall
consist of (i) cash, (ii) check, (iii) other shares which (x) in the case of
Shares acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for
more than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the
Shares as to which


                                      -4-


<PAGE>   5
said Option shall be exercised, (iv) consideration received by the Company under
a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the
Plan, or (v) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

        8. Exercise of Option.

               (a) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable at such times as are set forth in Section
4 hereof; provided, however, that no Options shall be exercisable until
shareholder approval of the Plan in accordance with Section 16 hereof has been
obtained.

               An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed to be exercised when written notice of
such exercise has been given to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Option by the person entitled to exercise the Option and full payment for the
Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment
allowable under Section 7 of the Plan. Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer
agent of the Company) of the stock certificate evidencing such Shares, no right
to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist
with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.
A share certificate for the number of Shares so acquired shall be issued to the
Optionee as soon as practicable after exercise of the Option. No adjustment
shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior
to the date the stock certificate is issued, except as provided in Section 10 of
the Plan.

               Exercise of an Option in any manner shall result in a decrease in
the number of Shares which thereafter may be available, both for purposes of the
Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the
Option is exercised.

               (b) Termination of Continuous Status as a Director. Subject to
Section 10 hereof, in the event an Optionee's status as a Director terminates
(other than upon the Optionee's death or Disability), the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option, but only within three (3) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled to exercise
it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the expiration of
its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not entitled to
exercise an Option on the date of such termination, and to the extent that the
Optionee does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled)
within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

               (c) Disability of Optionee. In the event Optionee's status as a
Director terminates as a result of Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or
her Option, but only within twelve (12) months following the date of such
termination, and only to the extent that the Optionee was entitled


                                      -5-


<PAGE>   6
to exercise it on the date of such termination (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of termination, or if he or she does
not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the time
specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

               (d) Death of Optionee. In the event of an Optionee's death, the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by
bequest or inheritance may exercise the Option, but only within twelve (12)
months following the date of death, and only to the extent that the Optionee was
entitled to exercise it on the date of death (but in no event later than the
expiration of its ten (10) year term). To the extent that the Optionee was not
entitled to exercise an Option on the date of death, and to the extent that the
Optionee's estate or a person who acquired the right to exercise such Option
does not exercise such Option (to the extent otherwise so entitled) within the
time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

        9. Non-Transferability of Options. The Option may not be sold, pledged,
assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by
will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.

        10. Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or
Asset Sale.

               (a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by
the shareholders of the Company, the number of Shares covered by each
outstanding Option, the number of Shares which have been authorized for issuance
under the Plan but as to which no Options have yet been granted or which have
been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well
as the price per Share covered by each such outstanding Option, and the number
of Shares issuable pursuant to the automatic grant provisions of Section 4
hereof shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the
number of issued Shares resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock
dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other
increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any
convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been "effected
without receipt of consideration". Except as expressly provided herein, no
issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment
by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares
subject to an Option.

               (b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, to the extent that an Option has not
been previously exercised, it shall terminate immediately prior to the
consummation of such proposed action.

               (c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a merger of the Company
with or into another corporation or the sale of substantially all of the assets
of the Company, outstanding Options may be assumed or equivalent options may be
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or


                                      -6-


<PAGE>   7
Subsidiary thereof (the "Successor Corporation"). If an Option is assumed or
substituted for, the Option or equivalent option shall continue to be
exercisable as provided in Section 4 hereof for so long as the Optionee serves
as a Director or a director of the Successor Corporation. Following such
assumption or substitution, if the Optionee's status as a Director or director
of the Successor Corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a
voluntary resignation by the Optionee, the Option or option shall become fully
exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. Thereafter, the Option or option shall remain exercisable in
accordance with Sections 8(b) through (d) above.

        If the Successor Corporation does not assume an outstanding Option or
substitute for it an equivalent option, the Option shall become fully vested and
exercisable, including as to Shares for which it would not otherwise be
exercisable. In such event the Board shall notify the Optionee that the Option
shall be fully exercisable for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of
such notice, and upon the expiration of such period the Option shall terminate.

        For the purposes of this Section 10(c), an Option shall be considered
assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the Option confers the right
to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the Option
immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether
stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of
assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of
the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type
of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares).
If such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely
common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may,
with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to
be received upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock
subject to the Option, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or
its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by
holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

        11. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

               (a) Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend, or discontinue the Plan, but no amendment, alteration,
suspension, or discontinuation shall be made which would impair the rights of
any Optionee under any grant theretofore made, without his or her consent. In
addition, to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable
law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain shareholder
approval of any Plan amendment in such a manner and to such a degree as
required.

               (b) Effect of Amendment or Termination. Any such amendment or
termination of the Plan shall not affect Options already granted and such
Options shall remain in full force and effect as if this Plan had not been
amended or terminated.


                                      -7-


<PAGE>   8
        12. Time of Granting Options. The date of grant of an Option shall, for
all purposes, be the date determined in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

        13. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Shares shall not be issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the
issuance and delivery of such Shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all
relevant provisions of law, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, state securities laws, and the requirements of any stock exchange
upon which the Shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the
approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

               As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Company may
require the person exercising such Option to represent and warrant at the time
of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and
without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares, if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of
the aforementioned relevant provisions of law.

               Inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory
body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to
be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall
relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell
such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

        14. Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

        15. Option Agreement. Options shall be evidenced by written option
agreements in such form as the Board shall approve.

        16. Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the
shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is
adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the degree and manner
required under applicable state and federal law and any stock exchange rules.


                                      -8-


<PAGE>   9
                      BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.


                            DIRECTOR OPTION AGREEMENT



        Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., (the "Company"), has granted to
(the "Optionee"), an option to purchase a total of [ ] shares of the Company's
Common Stock (the "Optioned Stock"), at the price determined as provided herein,
and in all respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of the
Company's 1999 Director Option Plan (the "Plan") adopted by the Company which is
incorporated herein by reference. The terms defined in the Plan shall have the
same defined meanings herein.

        1. Nature of the Option. This Option is a nonstatutory option and is not
intended to qualify for any special tax benefits to the Optionee.

        2. Exercise Price. The exercise price is $_______ for each share of
Common Stock.

        3. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable during its term
in accordance with the provisions of Section 8 of the Plan as follows:

            (a) Right to Exercise.

                (i) This Option shall become exercisable in installments
cumulatively with respect to [ ] percent (%) of the Optioned Stock one year
after the date of grant, and as to an additional [ ] percent (%) of the Optioned
Stock on each anniversary of the date of grant, so that one hundred percent
(100%) of the Optioned Stock shall be exercisable [ ] years after the date of
grant; provided, however, that in no event shall any Option be exercisable prior
to the date the stockholders of the Company approve the Plan.

                (ii) This Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share.

                (iii) In the event of Optionee's death, disability or other
termination of service as a Director, the exercisability of the Option is
governed by Section 8 of the Plan.

            (b) Method of Exercise. This Option shall be exercisable by written
notice which shall state the election to exercise the Option and the number of
Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised. Such written notice,
in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, shall be signed by the Optionee and
shall be delivered in person or by certified mail to the Secretary of the
Company. The written notice shall be accompanied by payment of the exercise
price.


<PAGE>   10

        4. Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price shall be by any of
the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Optionee:

            (a) cash;

            (b) check; or

            (c) surrender of other shares which (x) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an Option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value
on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as
to which said Option shall be exercised; or

                (iv) delivery of a properly executed exercise notice together
with such other documentation as the Company and the broker, if applicable,
shall require to effect an exercise of the Option and delivery to the Company of
the sale or loan proceeds required to pay the exercise price.

        5. Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the
issuance of such Shares upon such exercise or the method of payment of
consideration for such shares would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulations, or if such issuance
would not comply with the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the
Shares may then be listed. As a condition to the exercise of this Option, the
Company may require Optionee to make any representation and warranty to the
Company as may be required by any applicable law or regulation.

        6. Non-Transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred in
any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and
may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the Optionee. The terms
of this Option shall be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs,
successors and assigns of the Optionee.

        7. Term of Option. This Option may not be exercised more than ten (10)
years from the date of grant of this Option, and may be exercised during such
period only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option.

        8. Taxation Upon Exercise of Option. Optionee understands that, upon
exercise of this Option, he or she will recognize income for tax purposes in an
amount equal to the excess of the then Fair Market Value of the Shares purchased
over the exercise price paid for such Shares. Since the Optionee is subject to
Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, under certain
limited circumstances the measurement and timing of such income (and the
commencement of any capital gain holding period) may be deferred, and the
Optionee is advised to contact a tax advisor concerning the application of
Section 83 in general and the availability a Section 83(b) election in
particular in connection with the exercise of the Option. Upon a resale of such
Shares by the Optionee, any difference between the sale price and the Fair
Market Value of the Shares on the date of exercise of the Option, to the extent
not included in income as described above, will be treated as capital gain or
loss.




                                      -2-

<PAGE>   11

        DATE OF GRANT:  ______________

        BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS, INC.,

        a Delaware corporation

        By:_________

        Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan, a copy of which is
attached hereto, and represents that he or she is familiar with the terms and
provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all of the terms
and provisions thereof. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive
and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board upon any questions
arising under the Plan.

        Dated: ____________________

        ___________________________

        Optionee









                                       -3-
<PAGE>   12


                                    EXHIBIT A



                         DIRECTOR OPTION EXERCISE NOTICE


        Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
        1901 Guadalupe Parkway
        San Jose CA  95131

        Attention:  Corporate Secretary

1.      Exercise of Option. The undersigned ("Optionee") hereby elects to
        exercise Optionee's option to purchase ______ shares of the Common Stock
        (the "Shares") of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (the "Company")
        under and pursuant to the Company's 1999 Director Option Plan and the
        Director Option Agreement dated _______________ (the "Agreement").

2.      Representations of Optionee. Optionee acknowledges that Optionee has
        received, read and understood the Agreement.

3.      Federal Restrictions on Transfer. Optionee understands that the Shares
        must be held indefinitely unless they are registered under the
        Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), or unless an
        exemption from such registration is available, and that the
        certificate(s) representing the Shares may bear a legend to that effect.
        Optionee understands that the Company is under no obligation to register
        the Shares and that an exemption may not be available or may not permit
        Optionee to transfer Shares in the amounts or at the times proposed by
        Optionee.

4.      Tax Consequences. Optionee understands that Optionee may suffer adverse
        tax consequences as a result of Optionee's purchase or disposition of
        the Shares. Optionee represents that Optionee has consulted with any tax
        consultant(s) Optionee deems advisable in connection with the purchase
        or disposition of the Shares and that Optionee is not relying on the
        Company for any tax advice.

5.      Delivery of Payment. Optionee herewith delivers to the Company the
        aggregate purchase price for the Shares that Optionee has elected to
        purchase and has made provision for the payment of any federal or state
        withholding taxes required to be paid or withheld by the Company.

6.      Entire Agreement. The Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.
        This Exercise Notice and the Agreement constitute the entire agreement
        of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings
        and agreements of the Company and Optionee




                                      -4-

<PAGE>   13

        with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Exercise Notice and the
        Agreement are governed by Delaware law except for that body of law
        pertaining to conflict of laws.

Submitted by:                                Accepted by:

OPTIONEE:                                    BROCADE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS,
                                             INC.



______________________________               By:______________________________

                                             Its:_____________________________

                                             Address: 1901 Guadalupe Parkway
                                             San Jose CA  95131

Dated:______________________________         Dated:___________________________



                                      -5-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                                                  August 11, 1999


Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
1901 Guadalupe Parkway
San Jose, CA  95131

         RE:  REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be filed by
you with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about August 11, 1999 (the
"Registration Statement") in connection with the registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of 2,537,530 shares of your
Common Stock authorized but unissued under your 1999 Equity Incentive Plan,
360,080 shares of your Common Stock available for issuance under your 1999
Equity Incentive Plan, 200,000 shares of your Common Stock issuable under your
1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and 200,000 shares issuable under your 1999
Director Option Plan. Such shares of Common Stock are referred to herein as the
"Shares" and the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, the 1999 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan and the 1999 Director Option Plan are referred to herein as the "Plans". As
your counsel in connection with this transaction, we have examined the
proceedings taken and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken by
you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares pursuant to the
Plans.

         It is our opinion that, upon completion of the actions being taken, or
contemplated by us as your counsel to be taken by you prior to the issuance of
the Shares pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Plans and upon
completion of the actions being taken in order to permit such transactions to be
carried out in accordance with the securities laws of the various states where
required, the Shares will be legally and validly issued, fully-paid and
non-assessable.

         We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement, and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the
Registration Statement and any amendments thereto.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                                         Professional Corporation

                                         /s/Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati




<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

          We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, the 1999
Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the 1999 Director Option Plan, of our reports
with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc. included in the Final Registration Statement (Form
S-1), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 25, 1999.



/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
San Jose, California
August 11, 1999




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