Segment and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 474,090	$ 435,313	$ 1,368,392	$ 1,286,515
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	93,006	91,681	263,640	230,606
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	65,397	61,895	192,325	180,755
General and administrative	27,870	28,172	84,350	98,966
Acquisition and integration costs	6	4,822	(140)	39,748
Amortization of intangible assets	12,714	13,673	39,152	56,131
Restructuring costs	2,291	504	5,864	5,190
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	(12,055)	(12,630)	(40,545)	(21,092)
Less: Provision for income taxes	2,490	1,435	6,794	5,205
Net loss	(29,817)	(31,450)	(105,250)	(173,192)
Packet-Optical Transport [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	298,477	266,551	882,772	825,667
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	65,762	51,827	180,908	127,359
Packet-Optical Switching [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	37,786	40,682	112,221	107,223
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	2,732	12,783	26,255	34,147
Carrier-Ethernet Solutions [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	31,275	40,475	83,828	99,034
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	(201)	6,519	(11,235)	12,409
Software and Services [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	106,552	87,605	289,571	254,591
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	$ 24,713	$ 20,552	$ 67,712	$ 56,691