Segment and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 560,061	$ 507,712	$ 1,093,764	$ 960,805
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	134,199	108,726	258,553	215,396
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	83,662	74,475	162,010	141,063
General and administrative	31,882	30,883	61,979	59,091
Amortization of intangible assets	11,493	12,439	23,932	24,892
Restructuring costs	0	1,509	115	6,539
Add: other non-performance financial items
Interest expense and other income (loss), net	(12,925)	(14,108)	(29,951)	(24,977)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(28,630)
Less: Provision for income taxes	4,395	2,391	6,660	4,607
Net loss	(10,158)	(27,079)	(26,094)	(74,403)
Converged Packet Optical [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	356,840	294,325	690,241	534,285
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	96,581	57,528	175,279	104,646
Packet Networking [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	66,526	54,190	118,235	100,027
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	8,196	2,556	8,581	7,639
Optical Transport [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	29,616	57,371	69,713	114,968
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	4,709	21,413	20,359	42,000
Software and Services [Member]
Revenue:
Revenue	107,079	101,826	215,575	211,525
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	$ 24,713	$ 27,229	$ 54,334	$ 61,111