Segments and Entity Wide Disclosures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 603,562	$ 538,356	$ 1,697,326	$ 1,499,161
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	166,288	135,152	424,841	350,548
Less: non-performance operating expenses
Selling and marketing	81,919	75,613	243,929	216,676
General and administrative	36,285	32,066	98,264	91,157
Amortization of intangible assets	11,019	12,440	34,951	37,332
Restructuring costs	63	202	178	6,741
Add: other non-performance financial items
Interest expense and other income (loss), net	(17,836)	(14,139)	(47,787)	(39,116)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	0	(28,630)
Less: Provision for income taxes	3,006	1,923	9,666	6,530
Net income (loss)	16,160	(1,231)	(9,934)	(75,634)
Converged Packet Optical
Revenue:
Revenue	382,031	302,018	1,072,272	836,303
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	104,020	66,952	279,299	171,598
Packet Networking
Revenue:
Revenue	69,464	61,631	187,699	161,658
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	14,566	7,620	23,147	15,259
Optical Transport
Revenue:
Revenue	31,016	66,218	100,729	181,186
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	8,900	29,459	29,259	71,459
Software and Services
Revenue:
Revenue	121,051	108,489	336,626	320,014
Segment profit (loss) and the reconciliation to consolidated net income (loss)
Segment profit	$ 38,802	$ 31,121	$ 93,136	$ 92,232