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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 August 7, 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

Broomfield, Colorado
August 7, 2000



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