Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2010
Revenue:      
Products $ 1,454,991 $ 1,406,532 $ 1,009,239
Services 378,932 335,438 227,397
Total revenue 1,833,923 1,741,970 1,236,636
Cost of goods sold:      
Products 868,805 825,969 596,704
Services 240,894 206,855 142,431
Total cost of goods sold 1,109,699 1,032,824 739,135
Gross profit 724,224 709,146 497,501
Operating expenses:      
Research and development 364,179 379,862 327,626
Selling and marketing 266,338 251,990 193,515
General and administrative 114,002 126,242 102,692
Acquisition and integration costs 0 42,088 101,379
Amortization of intangible assets 51,697 69,665 99,401
Restructuring costs 7,854 5,781 8,514
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 0 (3,289) (13,807)
Total operating expenses 804,070 872,339 819,320
Loss from operations (79,846) (163,193) (321,819)
Interest and other income (loss), net (15,200) 6,022 3,917
Interest expense (39,653) (37,926) (18,619)
Gain on cost method investments 0 7,249 0
Gain on extinguishment of debt 0 0 4,948
Loss before income taxes (134,699) (187,848) (331,573)
Provision for income taxes 9,322 7,673 1,941
Net loss $ (144,021) $ (195,521) $ (333,514)
Basic net loss per common share (in dollars per share) $ (1.45) $ (2.04) $ (3.58)
Diluted net loss per potential common share (in dollars per share) $ (1.45) $ (2.04) $ (3.58)
Weighted average basic common shares outstanding (in shares) 99,341 95,854 93,103
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares outstanding (in shares) 99,341 95,854 93,103