Segment and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 507,712	$ 477,617	$ 960,805	$ 894,302
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	108,726	92,542	215,396	170,634
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	74,475	62,517	141,063	126,928
General and administrative	30,883	26,670	59,091	56,334
Amortization of intangible assets	12,439	12,967	24,892	26,438
Restructuring costs	1,509	1,851	6,539	3,573
Add: other non-performance financial items
Interest expense and other income (loss), net	(14,108)	(14,033)	(24,977)	(28,490)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(28,630)	0
Less: Provision for income taxes	2,391	2,284	4,607	4,304
Net loss	(27,079)	(27,780)	(74,403)	(75,433)
Converged Packet Optical [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	294,325	264,646	534,285	466,690
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	57,528	45,200	104,646	75,488
Packet Networking [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	54,190	29,922	100,027	51,423
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	2,556	(3,114)	7,639	(7,402)
Optical Transport [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	57,371	84,384	114,968	192,040
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	21,413	29,150	42,000	63,181
Software and Services [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	101,826	98,665	211,525	184,149
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	$ 27,229	$ 21,306	$ 61,111	$ 39,367