Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012		Oct. 31, 2011		Oct. 31, 2010
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	$ 3,453		$ 7,968		$ 9,605
Additional liability recorded	7,854		6,627		9,256
Adjustment to previous estimates	0		(846)		(742)
Cash payments	(6,258)		(10,296)		(10,151)
Balance at end of period	5,049		3,453		7,968
Current restructuring liabilities	3,516		664
Non-current restructuring liabilities	1,533
Workforce reduction [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	160		1,576		170
Additional liability recorded	5,484	[1]	6,627	[2]	9,256	[3]
Adjustment to previous estimates	0		0		0
Cash payments	(4,195)		(8,043)		(7,850)
Balance at end of period	1,449		160		1,576
Current restructuring liabilities	1,449
Non-current restructuring liabilities	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction	135		150
Workforce reduction [Member] | Outside of EMEA Region [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Additional liability recorded					2,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction					70
Workforce reduction [Member] | EMEA Region [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Additional liability recorded					7,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]
Number of employees in workforce reduction					82
Consolidation of excess facilities [Member]
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts
Balance at beginning of period	3,293		6,392		9,435
Additional liability recorded	2,370	[1]	0		0
Adjustment to previous estimates	0		(846)	[2]	(742)	[3]
Cash payments	(2,063)		(2,253)		(2,301)
Balance at end of period	3,600		3,293		6,392
Current restructuring liabilities	2,067
Non-current restructuring liabilities	$ 1,533

[1] During fiscal 2012, Ciena recorded a charge of $5.5 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of approximately 135 employees related to a number of restructuring activities intended to reduce operating expense and better align its workforce with market opportunities. Ciena also recorded an adjustment of $2.4 million related to its consolidation of several facilities in the Linthicum, Maryland area.

[2] During fiscal 2011, Ciena recorded a charge of $6.6 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of approximately 150 employees related to a number of restructuring activities intended to reduce operating expense and better align its workforce with market opportunities. Ciena also recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million related to its previous restructured Acton, Massachusetts facility.

[3] During fiscal 2010, Ciena recorded a charge of $2.1 million related to a workforce reduction of approximately 70 employees, principally affecting Ciena’s global product group and global field organization outside of the EMEA region and $7.1 million related to a workforce reduction of 82 employees associated with the restructuring activities in the EMEA region described above and an adjustment of $0.7 million associated with previously restructured facilities.