Segment and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 477,617	$ 417,894	$ 894,302	$ 851,202
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	92,542	66,209	170,634	138,925
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	62,517	61,768	126,928	118,860
General and administrative	27,080	32,480	56,480	70,794
Acquisition and integration costs	(410)	10,741	(146)	34,926
Amortization of intangible assets	12,967	13,674	26,438	42,458
Restructuring costs	1,851	3,164	3,573	4,686
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0	0	0	(3,289)
Add: other non-performance financial items
Interest expense and other income (loss), net	(14,033)	(5,177)	(28,490)	(8,462)
Less: Provision for income taxes	2,284	1,891	4,304	3,770
Net loss	(27,780)	(62,686)	(75,433)	(141,742)
Packet-Optical Transport [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	318,011	272,635	584,295	559,116
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	68,008	36,506	115,146	75,532
Packet-Optical Switching [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	31,019	31,267	74,435	66,541
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	6,342	8,487	23,523	21,364
Carrier-Ethernet Solutions [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	30,640	30,931	52,553	58,559
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	(4,927)	3,497	(11,034)	5,890
Software and Services [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	97,947	83,061	183,019	166,986
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	$ 23,119	$ 17,719	$ 42,999	$ 36,139