Segment and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 538,356	$ 474,090	$ 1,499,161	$ 1,368,392
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	135,152	93,006	350,548	263,640
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	75,613	65,397	216,676	192,325
General and administrative	32,066	27,876	91,157	84,210
Amortization of intangible assets	12,440	12,714	37,332	39,152
Restructuring costs	202	2,291	6,741	5,864
Add: other non-performance financial items
Interest expense and other income (loss), net	(14,139)	(12,055)	(39,116)	(40,545)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	(28,630)	0
Less: Provision for income taxes	1,923	2,490	6,530	6,794
Net loss	(1,231)	(29,817)	(75,634)	(105,250)
Converged Packet Optical [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	302,018	246,485	836,303	713,175
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	66,952	37,086	171,598	112,574
Packet Networking [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	61,631	30,215	161,658	81,638
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	7,620	906	15,259	(6,496)
Optical Transport [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	66,218	89,779	181,186	281,819
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	29,459	31,410	71,459	94,591
Software and Services [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	108,489	107,611	320,014	291,760
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit (loss)	$ 31,121	$ 23,604	$ 92,232	$ 62,971