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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-38106) of our reports dated July 18, 2000, relating to the consolidated
financial statements and financial statement schedule of McDATA Corporation,
which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to
us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
---------------------------------
    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Broomfield, Colorado
July 28, 2000



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