Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2012
Oct. 31, 2011
Oct. 31, 2010
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts      
Balance at beginning of period $ 3,453 $ 7,968 $ 9,605
Additional liability recorded 7,854 6,627 9,256
Adjustment to previous estimates 0 (846) (742)
Cash payments (6,258) (10,296) (10,151)
Balance at end of period 5,049 3,453 7,968
Current restructuring liabilities 3,516 664  
Non-current restructuring liabilities 1,533    
Workforce reduction [Member]
      
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts      
Balance at beginning of period 160 1,576 170
Additional liability recorded 5,484 [1] 6,627 [2] 9,256 [3]
Adjustment to previous estimates 0 0 0
Cash payments (4,195) (8,043) (7,850)
Balance at end of period 1,449 160 1,576
Current restructuring liabilities 1,449    
Non-current restructuring liabilities 0    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]      
Number of employees in workforce reduction 135 150  
Workforce reduction [Member] | Outside of EMEA Region [Member]
      
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts      
Additional liability recorded     2,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]      
Number of employees in workforce reduction     70
Workforce reduction [Member] | EMEA Region [Member]
      
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts      
Additional liability recorded     7,100
Restructuring and Related Cost, Positions Eliminated [Abstract]      
Number of employees in workforce reduction     82
Consolidation of excess facilities [Member]
      
Activity and balance of the restructuring liability accounts      
Balance at beginning of period 3,293 6,392 9,435
Additional liability recorded 2,370 [1] 0 0
Adjustment to previous estimates 0 (846) [2] (742) [3]
Cash payments (2,063) (2,253) (2,301)
Balance at end of period 3,600 3,293 6,392
Current restructuring liabilities 2,067    
Non-current restructuring liabilities $ 1,533    
[1] During fiscal 2012, Ciena recorded a charge of $5.5 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of approximately 135 employees related to a number of restructuring activities intended to reduce operating expense and better align its workforce with market opportunities. Ciena also recorded an adjustment of $2.4 million related to its consolidation of several facilities in the Linthicum, Maryland area.
[2] During fiscal 2011, Ciena recorded a charge of $6.6 million of severance and other employee-related costs associated with a workforce reduction of approximately 150 employees related to a number of restructuring activities intended to reduce operating expense and better align its workforce with market opportunities. Ciena also recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million related to its previous restructured Acton, Massachusetts facility.
[3] During fiscal 2010, Ciena recorded a charge of $2.1 million related to a workforce reduction of approximately 70 employees, principally affecting Ciena’s global product group and global field organization outside of the EMEA region and $7.1 million related to a workforce reduction of 82 employees associated with the restructuring activities in the EMEA region described above and an adjustment of $0.7 million associated with previously restructured facilities.