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Ciena

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Industry Communication Equipment
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2007 Annual Report · Ciena
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ANNUAL REPORT 2007

focused

1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090-2205  
(410) 865-8500   (800) 921-1144   www.Ciena.com

002CS-60908

focused on growth
focused on growth

We’re focused on achieving profi table revenue growth that drives 
We’re focused on achieving profi table revenue growth that drives 
sustained shareholder value. By targeting high-growth market segments 
sustained shareholder value. By targeting high-growth market segments 
and high-value applications, we’re capturing increasing market share. 
and high-value applications, we’re capturing increasing market share. 
And our focus and hard work are paying off, resulting in faster revenue 
And our focus and hard work are paying off, resulting in faster revenue 
growth than our overall market sector.
growth than our overall market sector.

annual revenue up
annual revenue up

38%
38%

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solid revenue growth
solid revenue growth
(in millions)
(in millions)

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Ciena Corporation is a global leader in communication network platforms, software and professional services. Our specialty 
Ciena Corporation is a global leader in communication network platforms, software and professional services. Our specialty 
is transitioning networks for maximum business value, operational value and end-user value. Integrating expertise in optical, 
is transitioning networks for maximum business value, operational value and end-user value. Integrating expertise in optical, 

access and data networking, Ciena enables the delivery of more services faster, transforms the network cost base, and improves 
access and data networking, Ciena enables the delivery of more services faster, transforms the network cost base, and improves 

the end-user experience. With industry-leading functionality and performance, Ciena’s offerings form the foundation for 
the end-user experience. With industry-leading functionality and performance, Ciena’s offerings form the foundation for 

many of the largest, most reliable and sophisticated telco, cable/MSO, enterprise and government networks across the globe.
many of the largest, most reliable and sophisticated telco, cable/MSO, enterprise and government networks across the globe.

corporate information
corporate information

operating executive 
operating executive 
offi cers
offi cers
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. 
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. 
Executive Chairman of the 
Executive Chairman of the 
Board of Directors
Board of Directors

outside board members
outside board members
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. 
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. 
William Ziegler Professor 
William Ziegler Professor 
of Business Administration
of Business Administration
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School

Gary B. Smith 
Gary B. Smith 
President, Chief Executive Offi cer 
President, Chief Executive Offi cer 
and Director
and Director

Harvey B. Cash 
Harvey B. Cash 
General Partner
General Partner
InterWest Partners
InterWest Partners

Bruce L. Clafl in
Bruce L. Clafl in
Retired, President and CEO
Retired, President and CEO
3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation

Lawton W. Fitt 
Lawton W. Fitt 
Senior Advisor
Senior Advisor
GSC Group
GSC Group

Judith M. O’Brien 
Judith M. O’Brien 
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Obopay, Inc.
Obopay, Inc.

Michael J. Rowny
Michael J. Rowny
Chairman
Chairman
Rowny Capital
Rowny Capital

Gerald H. Taylor 
Gerald H. Taylor 
Managing Member 
Managing Member 
mortonsgroup, LLC
mortonsgroup, LLC

Stephen B. Alexander
Stephen B. Alexander
Senior Vice President, Products 
Senior Vice President, Products 
and Technology, and 
and Technology, and 
Chief Technology Offi cer
Chief Technology Offi cer

James E. Moylan, Jr.
James E. Moylan, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Finance, 
Senior Vice President, Finance, 
and Chief Financial Offi cer
and Chief Financial Offi cer

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Operating Offi cer
Chief Operating Offi cer

Michael G. Aquino
Michael G. Aquino
Senior Vice President, 
Senior Vice President, 
Worldwide Sales
Worldwide Sales

Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.   
Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.   
Senior Vice President, General 
Senior Vice President, General 
Counsel and Secretary
Counsel and Secretary

Andrew C. Petrik 
Andrew C. Petrik 
Vice President, Controller 
Vice President, Controller 
and Treasurer
and Treasurer

corporate headquarters
corporate headquarters
Ciena Corporation 
Ciena Corporation 
1201 Winterson Road
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Telephone: (800) 921-1144 
Telephone: (800) 921-1144 
or (410) 865-8500
or (410) 865-8500
www.Ciena.com 
www.Ciena.com 

annual meeting
annual meeting
Ciena’s annual meeting of share-
Ciena’s annual meeting of share-
holders will be held at 3:00 pm on 
holders will be held at 3:00 pm on 
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the 
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the 
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 
700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD.
700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD.

independent registered 
independent registered 
public accounting fi rm
public accounting fi rm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, VA
McLean, VA

general counsel
general counsel
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, MD

transfer agent
transfer agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
P.O. Box 43078
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Shareholder Inquiries: (781) 575-2879
Shareholder Inquiries: (781) 575-2879
www.Computershare.com
www.Computershare.com

common stock market data
common stock market data
Since its initial public offering on 
Since its initial public offering on 
February 7, 1997, Ciena’s Common 
February 7, 1997, Ciena’s Common 
Stock has traded on the Nasdaq 
Stock has traded on the Nasdaq 
Stock Market under the symbol CIEN. 
Stock Market under the symbol CIEN. 

investor relations
investor relations
For additional copies of this report 
For additional copies of this report 
or other fi nancial information, contact:
or other fi nancial information, contact:
Investor Relations
Investor Relations
Ciena Corporation
Ciena Corporation
1201 Winterson Road
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
IR Hotline: (888) 243-6223 
IR Hotline: (888) 243-6223 
or (410) 694-5700
or (410) 694-5700

Additional information is available on 
Additional information is available on 
Ciena’s website at www.Ciena.com. 
Ciena’s website at www.Ciena.com. 

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©
©

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gary B. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer

fellow shareholders,
fellow shareholders,

2007 was a momentous year for Ciena.  

2007 as we developed and delivered 

balance and providing an improved 

By most any measure, we demonstrated 

innovative solutions to meet our customers’ 

foundation for future growth. In these 

concrete, quantifiable success. By remaining 

evolving needs. Our combined success on 

times of uncertainty in the credit markets, 

true to our strategic focus as the specialist 

all of these fronts enabled us to continue 

we believe this represents prudent 

in network transition—and supported  

to invest in research and development—

financial management and provides 

by the well-timed introduction of our 

the fuel that enables us to maintain our 

us a competitive edge. 

FlexSelectTM Architecture, our practical 

leadership position—as well as to continue 

vision to help our customers transition 

to build a fast and agile operations 

from current legacy infrastructures to 

infrastructure to support future growth. 

2007 achievements—successful  
base for future growth

next-generation networks—we benefited 

Our efforts to strike an optimal balance 

We set out at the beginning of the year 

from both pure capacity-related network 

between reinvesting in our business for 

to leverage our market momentum  

growth as well as a sweeping trend toward 

longer-term growth and profitability 

by pursuing opportunities to further 

next-generation, Ethernet/IP-based 

were reflected in solid financial perfor-

advance our technology leadership and 

network infrastructures.

mance: GAAP operating profit of more 

market position. Let me take a few 

For fiscal 2007 we delivered revenue 

than 10 percent for fiscal year 2007, 

moments to summarize our progress.

growth well above the average of the 

compared to 2 percent in 2006, and net 

industry, gross margin improvement and 

income of $82.8 million, or $0.87 per 

customers

operating margin expansion, which we 

diluted share, in fiscal 2007, compared  

We expanded the breadth and depth  

successfully leveraged into a substantial 

to $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, 

of our customer base, with significant 

increase in profitability. For the year ended 

in fiscal 2006. 

growth in our international business. 

October 31, 2007, revenue increased  

This strong financial performance 

Sales in North America grew more than 

38 percent to $780 million. We improved 

also included a substantial improvement 

30 percent year-over-year, and international 

gross margin from 45.7 percent in fiscal 

in cash flow generation, enabling us  

sales rose 55 percent, with business won 

year 2006 to 46.5 percent in fiscal year 

to build on an already significant cash 

in 10 new countries. Notably, our partner 

 
 
16%

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14%

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9%

8% 7% 7%

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1

$

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1

$

4

1

$

operating profit  

performance 

(in millions)

as-adjusted operating profit

as-adjusted operating margin

0%

2

1

$

-

0

2

$

-

-10%

-17%

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sales worldwide increased more than  

hensive strategy to make Ethernet a carrier- 

re-engineer our business model and 

these new and emerging traffic types 

on the momentum we have established. 

First, we remain focused on improving 

45 percent in fiscal 2007.

class, performance-grade convergence 

globalize our company. Our team is 

simultaneously with more traditional 

I’d like to share three concepts on which 

our operations to ensure we perform as 

In our traditional customer segment, 

vehicle from the access network to  

constantly identifying areas for further 

voice and data traffic.

we will focus in 2008:

an agile global enterprise. Second, we 

the highly competitive telecommunications 

the network core. With this move, we 

improvement and efficiency.

service provider market, we added 12 new 

committed to adding new products and 

Paramount among these activities  

customers, and we sold new products 

capabilities to make it possible for flexible, 

are process and system improvements. 

into 14 existing accounts. 

converged Ethernet-based networks 

We’ve made tremendous progress with a 

  We continue to see opportunities  

available to deliver any type of service 

successful upgrade to our Oracle business 

to apply our expertise in simple and 

with unparalleled resiliency, service quality 

system in November. This transition affords 

highly reliable networks to a wide range 

and management control.

us a solid platform on which to scale and 

of enterprise applications. In fact, our 

Supporting this goal, we announced 

automate the entire business worldwide 

non-traditional/non-telecommunications 

our CN 3000TM Ethernet Access Series and 

going forward.

business contributed more than 15 percent 

CN 5060TM Multiservice Carrier Ethernet 

  We’re also continually streamlining 

of our overall revenue in fiscal 2007. We 

Platform, both of which are gaining traction 

our supply chain for greater efficiency, 

secured 19 additional customers in the 

in the market. In fact, we announced in 

re-engineering front-end processes  

On the enterprise or business side, 

customers face expanding compliance 

needs and increased capacity demands 

created by new business applications, as 

well as increased use of video and strains 

of overall globalization efforts. Wireless 

carriers—as well as wholesale carriers— 

are rapidly searching for ways to migrate 

•  Innovation: Our unrelenting efforts  

to develop leading-edge network 

technology and translate those  

ideas into practical solutions will  

help our customers meet the growing 

and ever-changing demands of  

their customers;

are committed to pursuing high-growth 

market opportunities to deliver faster-

than-market revenue growth. Third, we 

will continue to implement our FlexSelect 

Architecture vision to advance our market, 

technology and thought leadership in 

next-generation networks. And, finally, 

we will leverage the strength of our 

their backhaul networks to more 

•  Globalization: We must continue  

business model and resources to scale 

efficiently support mobile traffic growth, 

the geographic expansion of our 

the company for future growth and 

new data services, and expanded 

customer base, especially in fast-growing 

improved financial performance.

geographic coverage. 

economies worldwide, and ensure that 

Given our strong position heading 

government and research and education 

December that BT selected the CN 3000 

and improving overall product life cycle 

  We see demand for next-generation 

we have the business infrastructure to 

into 2008, I am confident about our 

arenas, and we demonstrated significant 

Series for its 21st Century Network (21CN). 

management. As we strive to grow  

technologies like ours continuing to grow 

support efficient global operations and 

ability to serve existing customers  

success in serving the enterprise market, 

The agreement extends our presence 

in the future, we believe these opera-

as our customers—and their customers— 

take advantage of specialized knowledge 

with innovative products and win new 

where we gained 85 new customers.

beyond the transmission domain in 21CN 

tional initiatives will accelerate our 

look to support more advanced services 

and cost benefits; and 

to provide Ethernet access solutions that 

financial leverage.

product portfolio

will support the roll-out of new 21CN 

In 2007, our hard-won reputation as a 

services and applications.

technology leader and “the network 

These advancements would not have 

market dynamics
Demand drivers for Ciena’s equipment 

specialist” was enhanced by our anticipa-

been possible had we not committed years 

range from new, consumer-driven 

tion of, and development of products to 

ago to a strategy centered on innovation. 

applications to large, service provider 

address, the market shift from legacy 

With initiatives such as the creation of 

needs for more efficient, more economic 

networks to the use of high-performance 

our India design center, we have increased 

network infrastructures. 

Ethernet as the technology for the common 

our R&D capacity by more than 40 percent 

Applications like on-line gaming, 

delivery and management of all network 

since the last year. We are pleased that 

video-on-demand, high-definition TV 

services and traffic types. 

our customers continue to recognize our 

(HDTV) and the proliferation of new 

  Within our product portfolio, we 

technological prowess and depth.

wireless broadband applications are 

took steps to advance our leadership  

in Converged Ethernet Infrastructure. 

operations

contributing not only to increasing 

network capacity requirements but also 

Beginning in February, we extended our 

Our success in 2007 was aided by several 

to service providers’ demands for a more 

In 2008 we will work to build on our 

To summarize, 2008 will be a year  

Gary B. Smith

FlexSelect Architecture with a compre-

operational initiatives designed to 

efficient network architecture to carry 

accomplishments of 2007 and capitalize 

of focus and leverage for us.

President and Chief Executive Officer 

and applications. 

  Whether a customer operates a public 

or private network, we continue to believe 

that the supplier who best helps these 

customers practically and profitably 

transition their existing infrastructure to 

software-programmable, IP/Ethernet-based 

networks will be in a position to outpace 

•  Velocity: We must move—in every aspect 

of what we do—with an increased 

urgency. Competition is fierce, and 

network technology is changing fast. 

We must be continually agile and 

decisive to maintain and build upon  

our leadership position.

the market. This is why we’ve built Ciena 

These three concepts are the  

as the specialist in network transition, 

pillars of the continued execution of  

and we’re committed to this unique and 

our strategy, and key to our goal of 

valuable role in the marketplace.

balancing strategic investments for 

2008 vision

longer-term revenue growth with 

maximized short-term profitability.

customers and market share. I am equally 

confident about the commitment and 

enthusiasm our team members bring to 

the table each day and how in turn we 

are committed to providing them a 

rewarding and stimulating environment.  

If we are successful in delivering on our 

goals, then I am equally confident we  

will be successful in creating enhanced 

long-term value for our shareholders.

Thank you, once again, for your support. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16%

4
3
$

14%

8
2
$

9%

8% 7% 7%

3
1
$

3
1
$

2
1
$

4
1
$

operating profi t 
performance
(in millions)

as-adjusted operating profi t

as-adjusted operating margin

0%

2
1
$
-

0
2
$
-

-10%

-17%

5
0
’
4
Q

6
0
’
1
Q

6
0
’
2
Q

6
0
’
3
Q

6
0
’
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0
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1
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7
0
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2
Q

7
0
’
3
Q

7
0
’
4
Q

sales worldwide increased more than 

hensive strategy to make Ethernet a carrier- 

re-engineer our business model and 

these new and emerging traffi c types 

on the momentum we have established. 

First, we remain focused on improving 

45 percent in fi scal 2007.

class, performance-grade convergence 

globalize our company. Our team is 

simultaneously with more traditional 

I’d like to share three concepts on which 

our operations to ensure we perform as 

In our traditional customer segment, 

vehicle from the access network to 

constantly identifying areas for further 

voice and data traffi c.

we will focus in 2008:

an agile global enterprise. Second, we 

the highly competitive telecommunications 

the network core. With this move, we 

improvement and effi ciency.

service provider market, we added 12 new 

committed to adding new products and 

Paramount among these activities 

customers, and we sold new products 

capabilities to make it possible for fl exible, 

are process and system improvements. 

into 14 existing accounts. 

converged Ethernet-based networks 

We’ve made tremendous progress with a 

  We continue to see opportunities 

available to deliver any type of service 

successful upgrade to our Oracle business 

to apply our expertise in simple and 

with unparalleled resiliency, service quality 

system in November. This transition affords 

highly reliable networks to a wide range 

and management control.

us a solid platform on which to scale and 

of enterprise applications. In fact, our 

Supporting this goal, we announced 

automate the entire business worldwide 

non-traditional/non-telecommunications 

our CN 3000TM Ethernet Access Series and 

going forward.

business contributed more than 15 percent 

CN 5060TM Multiservice Carrier Ethernet 

  We’re also continually streamlining 

of our overall revenue in fi scal 2007. We 

Platform, both of which are gaining traction 

our supply chain for greater effi ciency, 

secured 19 additional customers in the 

in the market. In fact, we announced in 

re-engineering front-end processes 

On the enterprise or business side, 

customers face expanding compliance 

needs and increased capacity demands 

created by new business applications, as 

well as increased use of video and strains 

of overall globalization efforts. Wireless 

carriers—as well as wholesale carriers— 

are rapidly searching for ways to migrate 

•  Innovation: Our unrelenting efforts  

to develop leading-edge network 

technology and translate those 

ideas into practical solutions will 

help our customers meet the growing 

and ever-changing demands of 

their customers;

are committed to pursuing high-growth 

market opportunities to deliver faster-

than-market revenue growth. Third, we 

will continue to implement our FlexSelect 

Architecture vision to advance our market, 

technology and thought leadership in 

next-generation networks. And, fi nally, 

we will leverage the strength of our 

their backhaul networks to more 

•  Globalization: We must continue 

business model and resources to scale 

effi ciently support mobile traffi c growth, 

the geographic expansion of our 

the company for future growth and 

new data services, and expanded 

customer base, especially in fast-growing 

improved fi nancial performance.

geographic coverage. 

economies worldwide, and ensure that 

Given our strong position heading 

government and research and education 

December that BT selected the CN 3000 

and improving overall product life cycle 

  We see demand for next-generation 

we have the business infrastructure to 

into 2008, I am confi dent about our 

arenas, and we demonstrated signifi cant 

Series for its 21st Century Network (21CN). 

management. As we strive to grow 

technologies like ours continuing to grow 

support effi cient global operations and 

ability to serve existing customers 

success in serving the enterprise market, 

The agreement extends our presence 

in the future, we believe these opera-

as our customers—and their customers— 

take advantage of specialized knowledge 

with innovative products and win new 

where we gained 85 new customers.

beyond the transmission domain in 21CN 

tional initiatives will accelerate our 

look to support more advanced services 

and cost benefi ts; and 

and applications. 

  Whether a customer operates a public 

or private network, we continue to believe 

that the supplier who best helps these 

customers practically and profi tably 

transition their existing infrastructure to 

software-programmable, IP/Ethernet-based 

networks will be in a position to outpace 

•  Velocity: We must move—in every aspect 

of what we do—with an increased 

urgency. Competition is fi erce, and 

network technology is changing fast. 

We must be continually agile and 

decisive to maintain and build upon 

our leadership position.

the market. This is why we’ve built Ciena 

These three concepts are the 

as the specialist in network transition, 

pillars of the continued execution of 

and we’re committed to this unique and 

our strategy, and key to our goal of 

valuable role in the marketplace.

balancing strategic investments for 

customers and market share. I am equally 

confi dent about the commitment and 

enthusiasm our team members bring to 

the table each day and how in turn we 

are committed to providing them a 

rewarding and stimulating environment. 

If we are successful in delivering on our 

goals, then I am equally confi dent we 

will be successful in creating enhanced 

long-term value for our shareholders.

Thank you, once again, for your support. 

FlexSelect Architecture with a compre-

operational initiatives designed to 

effi cient network architecture to carry 

accomplishments of 2007 and capitalize 

of focus and leverage for us.

President and Chief Executive Offi cer 

2008 vision
In 2008 we will work to build on our 

longer-term revenue growth with 

maximized short-term profi tability.

To summarize, 2008 will be a year 

Gary B. Smith

product portfolio

will support the roll-out of new 21CN 

In 2007, our hard-won reputation as a 

services and applications.

market dynamics

to provide Ethernet access solutions that 

fi nancial leverage.

technology leader and “the network 

These advancements would not have 

Demand drivers for Ciena’s equipment 

specialist” was enhanced by our anticipa-

been possible had we not committed years 

range from new, consumer-driven 

tion of, and development of products to 

ago to a strategy centered on innovation. 

applications to large, service provider 

address, the market shift from legacy 

With initiatives such as the creation of 

needs for more effi cient, more economic 

networks to the use of high-performance 

our India design center, we have increased 

network infrastructures. 

Ethernet as the technology for the common 

our R&D capacity by more than 40 percent 

Applications like on-line gaming, 

delivery and management of all network 

since the last year. We are pleased that 

video-on-demand, high-defi nition TV 

services and traffi c types. 

our customers continue to recognize our 

(HDTV) and the proliferation of new 

  Within our product portfolio, we 

technological prowess and depth.

wireless broadband applications are 

took steps to advance our leadership 

in Converged Ethernet Infrastructure. 

operations

contributing not only to increasing 

network capacity requirements but also 

Beginning in February, we extended our 

Our success in 2007 was aided by several 

to service providers’ demands for a more 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
focused on demand

Insatiable bandwidth demand is driving the 
need for expanding network capacity.

Everywhere we look, there is tangible evidence of the explosive 

growth in bandwidth demand. On the consumer side, all you 

have to do is look around your home to see the advances driving 

this growth: highly interactive gaming, HDTV and on-demand 

video are just a few examples. According to Motorola, as of May 

2007 the average U.S. household owned 26 consumer electronic 

devices, such as mp3 players, digital cameras, smart phones, 

PCs, HDTVs and DVRs—all of which use and drive bandwidth 

demands. According to Forrester, an industry analyst fi rm, as of 

September 2007, 48 percent of U.S. households had a broadband 

connection to the Internet. And think about how your use of 

the Internet has changed. Where once it was just a vehicle for 

checking email, it’s now used as a primary news and entertainment 

medium where you view recorded and live video and download 

music, books and movies.

In the business world, stringent compliance needs, advanced 

applications, disaster recovery systems and increasing use of video 

are all feeding explosive demand. As if that weren’t enough, 

both consumer and business end users are requiring unlimited 

mobility and access through wireless devices—from smart phones 

to laptops and beyond. Ciena, with its reputation as the network 

specialist, is helping customers, including telecommunications 

carriers, wireless providers, cable operators and enterprises around 

the world, not only meet current demand for bandwidth, but also 

prepare for future growth by transitioning their networks to be 

more fl exible, more economical and, most importantly, scalable.

 
focused on demand

Insatiable bandwidth demand is driving the 

need for expanding network capacity.

Everywhere we look, there is tangible evidence of the explosive 

growth in bandwidth demand. On the consumer side, all you 

have to do is look around your home to see the advances driving 

this growth: highly interactive gaming, HDTV and on-demand 

video are just a few examples. According to Motorola, as of May 

2007 the average U.S. household owned 26 consumer electronic 

devices, such as mp3 players, digital cameras, smart phones, 

PCs, HDTVs and DVRs—all of which use and drive bandwidth 

demands. According to Forrester, an industry analyst fi rm, as of 

September 2007, 48 percent of U.S. households had a broadband 

connection to the Internet. And think about how your use of 

the Internet has changed. Where once it was just a vehicle for 

checking email, it’s now used as a primary news and entertainment 

medium where you view recorded and live video and download 

music, books and movies.

In the business world, stringent compliance needs, advanced 

applications, disaster recovery systems and increasing use of video 

are all feeding explosive demand. As if that weren’t enough, 

both consumer and business end users are requiring unlimited 

mobility and access through wireless devices—from smart phones 

to laptops and beyond. Ciena, with its reputation as the network 

specialist, is helping customers, including telecommunications 

carriers, wireless providers, cable operators and enterprises around 

the world, not only meet current demand for bandwidth, but also 

prepare for future growth by transitioning their networks to be 

more fl exible, more economical and, most importantly, scalable.

 
focused on performance

Leveraging our heritage of practical innovation, we deliver  
maximum performance and economic value.

So just how does the laptop in your office or the HDTV in your 

family room translate into opportunity for Ciena? Ciena’s cus-

tomers must provide their customers with high-performance, 

reliable service that fits the demands of the particular user—

whether that’s your son downloading a new movie to his 

handheld player or a major financial institution backing up the 

systems they use to execute transactions worldwide. That means 

our customers’ networks need to be built in a way that enables 

them to deal with increasing capacity requirements while still 

being flexible enough to accommodate new traffic types—and 

all in a way that makes good economic and business sense.

Ciena’s customers want one global network as a common 

delivery vehicle for all services—data, voice, mobile, video and 

storage. Economically, it just doesn’t make sense for them to 

try to operate multiple, disparate networks. Ciena’s vision for 

next-generation networks, our FlexSelect™ Architecture, was 

designed to enable our customers to achieve that goal, and we 

are keenly focused on developing and delivering the solutions 

that make it possible.

Ethernet-

based

networks

full mix 

of voice, 

video, 

storage 

and data 

applications 

more  

bandwidth

video on 

demand 

data  

storage

streaming  

audio

 
focused on performance

Leveraging our heritage of practical innovation, we deliver  

maximum performance and economic value.

So just how does the laptop in your office or the HDTV in your 

family room translate into opportunity for Ciena? Ciena’s cus-

tomers must provide their customers with high-performance, 

reliable service that fits the demands of the particular user—

whether that’s your son downloading a new movie to his 

handheld player or a major financial institution backing up the 

systems they use to execute transactions worldwide. That means 

our customers’ networks need to be built in a way that enables 

them to deal with increasing capacity requirements while still 

being flexible enough to accommodate new traffic types—and 

all in a way that makes good economic and business sense.

Ciena’s customers want one global network as a common 

delivery vehicle for all services—data, voice, mobile, video and 

storage. Economically, it just doesn’t make sense for them to 

try to operate multiple, disparate networks. Ciena’s vision for 

next-generation networks, our FlexSelect™ Architecture, was 

designed to enable our customers to achieve that goal, and we 

are keenly focused on developing and delivering the solutions 

that make it possible.

Ethernet-
based
networks

full mix 
of voice, 
video, 
storage 
and data 
applications 

more  
bandwidth

video on 
demand 

data  
storage

streaming  
audio

 
focused on our purpose

Beyond the industry-leading solutions and services Ciena delivers to our customers every day, our purpose as a company 
is simple. We strive to Create. Communicate. Connect. And we aim to do so with our customers (which we interpret 
in the broadest sense to mean not only traditional customers, but also our shareholders, partners and vendors—all of 
whom are customers of sorts); with our communities; and among ourselves as Ciena employees.

with our 
communities

create 
communicate 
connect

with our 
customers

among  
ourselves

focused on our values

Our purpose is supported and enabled by three core values that dictate how we operate as a company.

integrity.

ingenuity.

diversity.

High ethical standards and character,  
demonstrated by our actions, our performance

Inspired thinking and  
innovation drive our work

Of talent, opinions and needs— 
all rolling up into one Ciena

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

Form 10-K

Annual Report
Pursuant to Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Mark One) 
[X] 

 Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2007

OR 

[  ] 

 Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
For the transition period from _____________ to _____________

Commission file number 0-21969

Ciena Corporation (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
23–2725311 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1201 Winterson road, Linthicum, mD (Address of principal executive offices)
21090–2205 (Zip Code)
(410) 865–8500 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value Title of Each Class
the naSDaQ Stock market Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: none

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES [X]  NO [  ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  YES [  ]  NO [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to 
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES [X]  NO [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, 
to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K. 

[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “acceler-
ated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):  
Large accelerated filer 

[  ]  Non-accelerated filer 

[X]  Accelerated filer 

[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)  YES [  ]  NO [X]

The aggregate market value of the Registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $2,294,480,968 based on the closing 
price of the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on April 28, 2007.

The number of shares of Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of December 14, 2007 was 86,798,914.

Documents incorporated by reference 
Part III of the Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2008 Annual Meeting of 
Shareholders to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report. 

10  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Table of ConTenTs

part i

Item 1. 

Business 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments 

Item 2. 

Properties 

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings 

Item 4. 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 

part ii

Item 5. 

 Market for Registrant’s Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters  
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 

Item 6. 

Selected Consolidated Financial Data 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 

Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures 

Item 9B.  Other Information 

part iii

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation 

Item 12. 

 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management  
and Related Stockholder Matters 

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 

Item 14. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services 

part iV

Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 

Signatures 

12

23

33

33

33

35

36

38

40

61

61

95

95

96

97

97

97

97

97

98

98

11

 
PaRT I

The information in this annual report contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements related to 
markets for our products and services and trends in our business that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results 
may differ materially from the results discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a 
difference include those discussed in “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations,” “Business” and elsewhere in this annual report.

item 1.  BuSineSS

overview
Ciena Corporation is a supplier of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the 
transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Our products are used, individu-
ally or as part of an integrated solution, in communications network infrastructures operated by telecommunications 
service providers, cable operators, governments and enterprises around the globe. Our products facilitate the cost- 
effective delivery of enterprise and consumer-oriented communication services. Through our FlexSelect™ Architecture, 
we specialize in transitioning legacy communications networks to converged, next-generation architectures, better 
able to handle increased traffic and to deliver more efficiently a broader mix of high-bandwidth communications ser-
vices. By improving network productivity, reducing costs and enabling integrated service offerings, our converged 
Ethernet infrastructure and broadband access products create business and operational value for our customers.

During the past several years, our business has grown as a result of improving market conditions and the execution of 
our strategy to continue to invest in our product portfolio and target our development toward high-growth segments 
of the market for communications network equipment. The increasing importance of communications services to  
consumer and enterprise end users has driven growth in network capacity requirements and the expansion of high-
bandwidth applications and services, including IPTV, peer-to-peer connectivity, video on demand and mobile video 
and storage. The broader mix of high-volume traffic related to these applications is driving a transition from legacy 
network infrastructures—typically consisting of multiple, disparate networks—to more efficient, simplified, Ethernet-
based network architectures. Service providers are seeking network infrastructures better suited to handle higher 
bandwidth, multiservice traffic with greater efficiency, performance, resiliency, security and reliability, while 
ensuring a return on their network investment. We believe that our product portfolio and development efforts, 
focused on Ethernet/IP-related enhancements and the expansion of our FlexSelect Architecture, have enabled  
us to benefit from both increasing capacity requirements and the transition to more efficient and economical 
network architectures.

financial overview—fiscal 2007
We had revenue of $779.8 million for our fiscal year ended October 31, 2007, an increase of 38.2% from fiscal 2006 
revenue of $564.1 million. Income from operations increased from a loss of $31.4 million in fiscal 2006 to income of 
$48.7 million in fiscal 2007. Net income increased from $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006, to 
$82.8 million, or $0.87 per diluted share, in fiscal 2007. We generated $108.7 million in cash from operations during 
fiscal 2007 compared to our use of $79.4 million in cash during fiscal 2006. We manage our business in one operat-
ing segment. The matters discussed in this “Business” section should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated 
Financial Statements found under Item 8 of Part II of this annual report, which includes additional financial informa-
tion about our total assets, revenue, measures of profits and loss, and financial information about geographic areas.

Corporate Information and access to seC Reports
Ciena Corporation was incorporated in Delaware in November 1992, and completed its initial public offering on 
February 7, 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at 1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090. 
Our telephone number is (410) 865-8500, and our web site address is www.ciena.com. We make our annual 
reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those 

12  Ciena Corporation 10-K

reports, available free of charge on the Investor Relations page of our web site as soon as reasonably practicable 
after we file these reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Information contained on our web 
site is not a part of this annual report.

industry Background
The markets in which we sell our communications networking equipment have been subject to dynamic changes in 
recent years, including increased competition, growth in communications services and related traffic, and evolving 
market opportunities.

Increased Competition and Consolidation of Communications service Providers
Competition among communications service providers to offer a broader mix of revenue-generating services contin-
ues to be fierce. Traditional communications service providers face new competitors, new technologies and intense 
price competition. In addition, the last two years have witnessed significant consolidation among large communica-
tions service providers, including a number of our largest customers. SBC acquired AT&T in November 2005 and, in 
December 2006, the combined company, known as AT&T, acquired BellSouth. In January 2006, Verizon acquired MCI. 
Similar consolidation has taken place abroad. These mergers are likely to have a major impact in shaping the future of 
the communications industry. The consolidation and future development of these merged networks likely will present 
opportunities, as well as significant challenges, for communications network equipment providers.

emergence of enterprise and Government Markets
As competition among communications service providers has increased, the needs of some of their largest customers 
have changed. Enterprises require additional bandwidth capacity to satisfy compliance and business continuity 
requirements, to facilitate global expansion of operations and to support increasing use of video services. Enterprises 
and government agencies have also become more concerned about network reliability and security. These changing 
requirements have driven communications service providers to offer a wider range of enterprise-oriented, carrier-
managed applications. A number of large enterprises, government agencies and research and education institutions 
have decided to forego carrier-managed communications services, however, in favor of building their own secure pri-
vate networks, some on a global scale.

Consumer end Users and broadband applications
Consumer adoption of broadband technologies, including peer-to-peer Internet applications, video services, online 
gaming, and mobile video and data services has increased dramatically in recent years. This has increased the drive for 
service providers to expand their services offering to include voice, video and data services in a bundled offering; the 
so-called “triple play.” Meanwhile, increased use of these services to access a growing range of content and applica-
tions has accelerated demand for bandwidth. Increased capacity needs and multiservice offerings have caused carriers 
to transition existing or legacy infrastructures to more efficient, next-generation network infrastructures better suited 
to handle this traffic.

Increased Multiservice Traffic and network Transition
Expanding enterprise and consumer reliance upon communications services continues to increase overall traffic on 
communications networks, particularly in the metro aggregation segment of communications networks. Meanwhile, 
communications service providers have found traditional sources of revenue from voice and enterprise data services 
under pressure in the face of increased competition and new technologies. As a result, they are seeking to augment 
or replace these revenue sources by offering a broader mix of revenue-generating services. Expansion of these ser-
vices is driving a transition from multiple, disparate networks based on SONET/SDH to more efficient, converged, 
multi-purpose Ethernet/IP-based network infrastructures. Consequently, legacy networks primarily designed to sup-
port voice and private lines are being converted to packet-oriented networks, which are better able to deliver 
efficiently video and data alongside traditional voice traffic. The key operational focus of service providers is to make 
this transition as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

13

These industry trends and market conditions have been significant contributors to the growth of our business. We 
believe that the capabilities of our product portfolio have positioned us to benefit from both increasing communica-
tions network capacity requirements and the transition by carriers to more efficient, converged network architectures. 
As a result of these market conditions, and the execution of our strategy to continue to invest in our product portfo-
lio, we were able to improve our financial performance and grow our revenue from $427.3 million in fiscal 2005, to 
$564.1 million in fiscal 2006 and to $779.8 million in fiscal 2007.

Strategy
We believe that growing network capacity requirements, the expansion of communications services and the need to 
converge multiple, disparate networks to single, Ethernet/IP-based infrastructures will be significant drivers of our cus-
tomers’ communications network equipment needs. In response to these needs, we introduced our FlexSelect 
Architecture, a standards-based, multi-service network architecture that facilitates the transition to next-generation 
networks while preserving the value of our customers’ investment in existing architectures. Our FlexSelect Architecture 
combines programmable hardware and integrated control software with service-specific management functionality, 
automating delivery and management of a broad mix of services including SONET/SDH, IP/Ethernet, storage and 
video. By creating a software-defined, service-agnostic network and integrating standards-based control planes, our 
FlexSelect products deliver services over communications networks that offer enhanced flexibility and that are cost- 
effective to deploy, scale and manage.

Since Ethernet is ubiquitous and supports many consumer and enterprise applications, we believe it is well suited as  
a technology for network consolidation. We believe that our customers will evolve their communications networks 
toward increasing reliance on Ethernet as an efficient, cost-effective transport and switching protocol. During fiscal 
2007, we announced FlexSelect for Ethernet, which seeks to apply the attributes of our FlexSelect Architecture 
approach—network flexibility, adaptability, manageability and reliability—to carrier Ethernet services. We introduced 
two new Ethernet-based product platforms during fiscal 2007: the CN 3000™ Ethernet Access Series and the CN 
5060™ Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform.

To implement the network vision underpinning our FlexSelect Architecture, we are pursuing the following strategic initiatives:

•	 Establish technology leadership in the transition from legacy network infrastructures to Ethernet-

based infrastructures. We seek to differentiate Ciena from competitors through our network specialist role 
and our FlexSelect network architecture vision. We are focusing our research and development investments on 
enabling customers to transition legacy circuit-switched networks to Ethernet/IP-based network infrastructures. 
We seek to provide customers the cost-effective means by which to support new applications and deliver ser-
vices over communications network infrastructures with improved performance, resiliency, security and 
flexibility. Our current research and development initiatives include:

  Applying our expertise in carrier networks and mission-critical applications to develop Ethernet-based com-
munications networks, improve the reliability of those networks and enable automated service provisioning;

  Continuing to add advanced Ethernet capabilities and functionality across our product portfolio with the 

goal of developing a comprehensive performance-grade Ethernet portfolio;

  Adding software-driven reconfigurability and automation across our portfolio;

Enabling broadband and Ethernet access over copper and fiber access lines; and

Focusing on cross-product integration and driving a common set of features and network management 
functionality across our portfolio.

•	 Expand our market opportunity. We are seeking to expand our geographic reach, increase our addressable 
markets and penetrate new market segments, thereby enabling us to grow and diversify our customer base. 
Our current sales and marketing initiatives include:

Increasing our use of channel partners to expand into select geographic markets and penetrate new market 
segments, including cable, government and enterprise;

Increasing market awareness and acceptance of our Ethernet products and technologies in the core, metro 
and access portions of the network;

14  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
Expanding our participation in additional applications for our technology, including carrier-managed ser-
vices and wireless backhaul;

Leveraging our incumbency to sell our expanded product portfolio to existing customers; and

Pursuing strategic technology opportunities, including original equipment manufacturer (OEM) arrange-
ments and technology acquisitions, to offer products that complement our existing product portfolio.

•	 Leverage our operating model in the growth of our business. As a result of our efforts in recent years to 
align our resources with market opportunities and make more efficient use of our resources, we were able to 
reduce operating expense as a percentage of revenue and increase income from operations during fiscal 2007. 
We seek to drive further efficiencies and improve our operating model through initiatives that include:

  Continuing to grow our development facility in India;

Streamlining internal business processes to be more efficient; and

Improving information systems to drive increased automation and coordination.

Customers and markets
Our customer base and the markets in which we sell our equipment, software and services have expanded in recent 
years as new market opportunities have emerged and our product portfolio has grown to include additional products 
in the metro and access portions of communications networks. The networking equipment needs of our customers 
vary, depending upon their size, location, the nature of their end users and the applications or services that they sup-
port. During fiscal 2007, AT&T and Sprint each represented more than 10% of our total revenue and 38.1% in the 
aggregate. Revenue from customers within the United States was 71.0% of total revenue in fiscal 2007 and 75.1%  
in fiscal 2006. Information regarding 10% customers over our last three fiscal years can be found in Note 18 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. We sell our products and services through 
our direct sales force and third party channel partners in the following markets:

Telecommunications service Providers
Our telecommunications service provider customers include regional, national and international telecommunications 
carriers, both wireline and wireless. Telecommunications service providers are our historical customer base and the 
largest contributor to our revenue. We provide products that enable telecommunications service providers to support 
consumer demand for video delivery, broadband data and wireless broadband services, while continuing to support 
legacy voice services. Our products also enable telecommunications carriers to support private networks and applica-
tions for enterprise users, including managed services, wide area network consolidation, inter-site connectivity, storage 
and Ethernet services.

Cable operators
Our customers include leading cable and multiservice operators in the U.S. and internationally. Our cable and multi-
service operator customers rely upon us for carrier-grade, optical Ethernet transport and switching equipment. Our 
communications networking platforms allow cable operators to integrate voice, video and data applications over a 
converged infrastructure. Our products support key cable applications including broadcast and digital video, voice 
over IP, video on demand, broadband data services and services for enterprises.

enterprise
Our enterprise customers include large, multi-site commercial organizations, including participants in the financial, 
healthcare, transportation and retail industries. We offer equipment, software and services that facilitate data center 
connectivity, wide area network consolidation, and storage extension for business continuity and disaster recovery. 
Our products enable inter-site connectivity between data centers, sales offices, manufacturing plants, retail stores and 
research and development centers, using an owned or leased private fiber network or a carrier-provided service. Our 
products facilitate key enterprise applications including data, voice, video, chat, online collaboration, conferencing and 
other business services. Our products also enable our enterprise customers to prevent unexpected network downtime 
and ensure the safety, security and availability of their data.

15

 
 
 
 
 
Government, Research and education
Our government customers include federal and state agencies in the U.S. as well as government entities outside of 
the U.S. Our customers also include domestic and international research and education institutions seeking to take 
advantage of technology innovation and facilitate increased collaboration. Our products, software and services enable 
these customers to improve network performance, security, reliability and flexibility. Our products also enable govern-
ment agencies and research and education institutions to build their own secure, private networks.

products and Services
Our product portfolio includes a range of communications networking equipment and software that is utilized from 
the core of communications networks, to metropolitan network infrastructures to the network edge, where end users 
gain access to communications services. We are applying our FlexSelect Architecture vision across our product portfo-
lio, which includes transport and switching platforms, packet interworking products and access products. These 
products are complemented by a comprehensive suite of network and service management tools and consulting, 
installation and support services. We refer to our transport and switching products and packet interworking products 
collectively as converged Ethernet infrastructure products.

Transport & switching
Our transport and switching platforms serve as the foundation for our converged Ethernet infrastructure portfolio 
and address both the core and metro segments of communications networks. Our principal transport and switching 
products are our CoreDirector® Multiservice Optical Switch, our CoreStream® Agility Optical Transport System and 
our CN 4200® FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform family. By increasing capacity and enhancing bandwidth utili-
zation, our transport and switching products enable service providers to increase network efficiency, allowing them 
to support more service types, higher bandwidth applications and higher volumes of traffic. By facilitating the con-
vergence of disparate service networks to a multiservice network, these products also enable service providers to 
reduce capital expenditures and operational costs through equipment reductions, increased automation and net-
work simplification.

Packet Interworking
Our packet interworking products include our multiservice edge switching and aggregation platforms. Our principal 
packet interworking products are our CN 5000 Packet Services Series and DN 7000™ Series Multiservice Edge 
Switching and Aggregation Platform. These products adapt and aggregate incoming network traffic and act as a 
bridge between IP/MPLS devices such as routers and an Ethernet transport and switching structure. These products 
enable communications service providers to transition their networks to carrier Ethernet and IP/MPLS from legacy 
technologies, such as ATM and Frame Relay. These platforms more cost-effectively support the aggregation and 
delivery of multiple application and service types, including mobile wireless backhaul, business data services and  
residential broadband. By converging traditional and emerging data services in carrier aggregation and service edge 
networks, these products enable service providers to transition to high-performance, packet-optimized networks 
while enhancing network reliability, bandwidth efficiency, ease of provisioning and scalability.

access
Our access portfolio addresses consumer and enterprise broadband services. Our principal access products for con-
sumer broadband are our CNX-5™ Broadband DSL System and CNX-5Plus™ Modular Broadband Loop Carrier. These 
broadband access platforms allow service providers to transition legacy voice networks to support next-generation 
services such as Internet-based (IP) telephony, video services and DSL, and enable cost-effective migration to higher 
bandwidth Ethernet network infrastructures. For enterprise broadband services, our CN 3000 Ethernet Access Series 
platforms enable carriers to extend Ethernet services to all customer sites, regardless of whether they are connected to 
the carrier’s network by copper or fiber access lines.

16  Ciena Corporation 10-K

network and service Management Tools
We offer integrated network and service management software across our product portfolio. Designed to simplify 
network management and operation, our ON-Center® Network & Service Management Suite facilitates rapid and sim-
plified provisioning of new services or service modifications and enables efficient allocation of bandwidth for service 
delivery. ON-Center employs a distributed, scalable architecture capable of managing a series of network elements as 
a standalone solution or as part of an integrated infrastructure. Our management system can track individual services 
across multiple product suites, facilitating planned network maintenance, outage detection and identification of cus-
tomers or services affected by network troubles. By increasing network automation, minimizing network downtime 
and monitoring network performance and service metrics, ON-Center® enables customers to improve cost effective-
ness, while increasing the performance and functionality of their network operations.

Global network services
To complement our product portfolio, we offer a broad range of consulting and support services. We provide these 
professional services through our internal Global Network Services resources as well as through service partners. Our 
services portfolio includes:

•	 Network	analysis,	planning	and	design;

•	 Network	optimization	and	tuning;

•	 Project	management,	including	staging,	site	preparation	and	installation	activities;

•	 Deployment	services,	including	turnkey	installation	and	turn-up	and	test	services;	and,

•	 Maintenance	and	support	services,	including	helpdesk	and	technical	assistance	and	training,	spares	and	logistics	
management, software updates, engineering dispatch, advanced technical support and hardware and software 
warranty extensions.

product Development
Our industry is subject to rapid technological developments, evolving standards, and protocols and shifts in customer 
demand. To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance existing product platforms by adding new features and 
functionality and introducing new products that extend our FlexSelect Architecture and broaden our reach into exist-
ing and new market segments. As the markets in which we sell our products and the technologies that support these 
products have evolved, our research and development strategy has been to pursue technology and product conver-
gence. This convergence allows us to consolidate multiple technologies and functionalities on a single platform, 
ultimately creating more robust and cost-effective products.

Our product development investments are driven by market demand and involve close collaboration among our 
marketing, sales and product development organizations. We also incorporate feedback from customers in our 
product development process. We conduct research and development through our internal resources as well as in 
collaboration with third parties. In some cases, we work with third parties pursuant to technology licenses, OEM 
arrangements and other strategic technology relationships or investments, to develop new products or modify 
existing platforms. In addition, we participate in industry and standards organizations where appropriate and incor-
porate information from these affiliations throughout the product development process. We regularly review our 
product offerings and development projects to determine their fit within our portfolio. We assess the market 
demand, prospective return on investment and growth opportunities, as well as the costs and resources necessary 
to support these products or development projects.

During fiscal 2007, our product development initiatives focused on adding advanced Ethernet capabilities across our 
product portfolio and expanding our FlexSelect Architecture. We released Ethernet-oriented enhancements to our 
ON-Center network management software and our CN 4200 FlexSelect Advanced Services Platform and CoreDirector 
platforms and added wavelength switching capabilities to the CN 4200. We introduced two new Ethernet-based 
product platforms: the CN 3000 Ethernet Access Series and CN 5060 Multiservice Carrier Ethernet Platform. We also 

17

expanded our CN 4200 product from a single product to a product family, which includes platforms with different 
capacities and form factors. Part of our research and development strategy is to continue to extend Ethernet function-
ality across our products, developing a comprehensive performance-grade Ethernet portfolio.

Our research and development expense was $137.2 million, $111.1 million and $127.3 million for fiscal 2005, 2006 
and 2007, respectively. For more information regarding our research and development expense, see “Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 of Part II of this report.

Sales and marketing
We sell our communications networking equipment, software and services through our direct sales efforts and  
channel relationships. In addition to securing new customers, our sales strategy has focused on building long-term 
relationships with existing customers that allow us to leverage our incumbency by extending existing platforms and 
selling additional products to support new applications.

We maintain a direct sales presence in locations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. Through these 
offices we sell and support our product and service offerings into each of our customer markets. In support of our 
sales efforts, we engage in marketing activities intended to position and promote both our brand and our product, 
software and service offerings.

We also maintain a channel program that works with resellers, systems integrators and service providers to market 
and sell our products, software and services. Our third party channel sales and other distribution arrangements enable 
us to leverage our direct sales resources and reach additional geographic regions and customer segments, including 
government and enterprise customers. We believe this channel strategy affords us expanded market opportunities 
and reduces the financial risk of entering new markets and pursuing new customer segments.

manufacturing
We rely on contract manufacturers to perform the majority of the manufacturing for our products. We believe that 
this allows us to conserve capital, lower costs of product sales, efficiently adjust to changes in market demand and 
operate without dedicating significant resources to manufacturing-related plant and equipment. We utilize a direct 
order fulfillment model for certain products. Direct order fulfillment allows us to rely on our contract manufacturers  
to perform final system integration and test, prior to direct shipment of products from their facilities to our customers. 
For certain product lines, we continue to perform a portion of the module assembly, final system integration and test-
ing. We work closely with our contract manufacturers to manage material, quality, cost and delivery times and we 
continually evaluate their services to ensure performance on a reliable and cost-effective basis. In recent years we have 
consolidated our base of suppliers and increasingly utilized a global sourcing strategy. During fiscal 2007, we signifi-
cantly reduced supply chain costs through greater sourcing of materials in lower cost regions such as Asia.

Our products include some components that are proprietary in nature and only available from one or a small number 
of suppliers. In some cases, significant time would be required to establish relationships with alternate suppliers or 
providers of proprietary components. We do not have long-term contracts with any supplier or contract manufacturer 
that guarantees supply of components or manufacturing services. If component supplies become limited, which has 
occurred on occasion, or if a supplier is unable to meet our needs, we may encounter manufacturing delays that 
could adversely affect our business. In an effort to limit our exposure to such delays and to satisfy customer needs for 
shorter delivery terms, we rely upon a build-to-forecast model across our product portfolio. This inventory purchase 
model exposes us to the risk that our customers will not order those products for which we have forecast sales, or will 
purchase less than we have forecast.

18  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Backlog
Generally, we make sales pursuant to purchase orders issued under master purchase agreements that govern the 
terms and conditions of the sale of our products and services. These agreements typically do not provide for minimum 
order quantities. At any given time, we have orders for products that have not been shipped and for services that 
have not yet been performed. We also have products and services awaiting customer acceptance. Generally, our cus-
tomers may cancel or change these orders with limited advance notice, or they may decide not to accept these 
products and services. As a result, we do not consider these orders to be firm.

Competition
Competition among providers of communications networking equipment, software and services is intense. The mar-
kets for our products, software and services are characterized by rapidly changing and converging technologies. 
Competition in these markets is based on any one or a combination of the following factors:

•	 product	functionality	and	performance;

•	 price;

•	

•	

incumbency	and	existing	business	relationships;

installation	and	support	capability;

•	 manufacturing	and	lead-time	capability;

•	 flexibility	and	scalability	of	products;	and

•	

the	ability	of	products	and	services	to	meet	customers’	immediate	and	future	network	requirements.

Competition for sales of communications networking equipment is dominated by a small number of very large,  
multi-national companies. Our competitors include Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Huawei, Nokia Siemens 
Networks, Nortel and Tellabs. These competitors have substantially greater financial, operational and marketing 
resources than Ciena. Many of them also have well-established relationships with large carriers. In recent years, merg-
ers among some of our larger competitors have intensified these advantages. In November 2006, Alcatel completed 
its acquisition of Lucent. In June 2006, Nokia and Siemens agreed to combine their communications service provider 
businesses to create a new joint venture, and in January 2006, Ericsson completed its acquisition of certain key assets 
of Marconi’s telecommunications business. Our industry has also experienced increased competition from low-cost 
producers in Asia, which can contribute to pricing pressure.

We also compete with several smaller, but established, companies that offer one or more products that compete 
directly or indirectly with our offerings or whose products address specific niches within the markets we address. In 
addition, there are a variety of earlier-stage companies with products targeted at the communications networking 
market. These competitors, particularly those that are privately-held, often employ aggressive competitive and busi-
ness tactics as they seek to gain entry with certain customers or markets. Due to these practices and the narrower 
focus of their development efforts, which may allow introduction of products more quickly, these competitors may 
have offerings that are more attractive to customers.

patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights
We rely upon patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secret laws to establish and maintain proprietary rights in our 
technology. We regularly file applications for patents and trademarks and have a significant number of patents and 
trademarks in the United States and other countries where we do business. We also rely on non-disclosure agree-
ments, other contracts, and policies regarding confidentiality, with employees, contractors and customers to establish 
proprietary rights and protect trade secrets and confidential information. Our practice is to require employees and 
consultants to execute non-disclosure and proprietary rights agreements upon commencement of employment or 
consulting arrangements with us. These agreements acknowledge our exclusive ownership of intellectual property 
developed by the individual during the course of his or her work with us. The agreements also require that these per-
sons maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary information disclosed to them.

19

Enforcing proprietary rights, especially patents, can be costly and uncertain. Moreover, monitoring unauthorized use 
of our technology is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps that we are taking will detect or prevent unau-
thorized use, particularly as we expand our operations, product development and the manufacturing of our products 
internationally into countries that may not provide the same level of intellectual property protection as the United 
States. In recent years, we have filed suit to enforce our intellectual property rights and have been subject to several 
claims related to patent infringement. In some cases, resolution of these claims has resulted in our payment of sub-
stantial sums. We believe that the frequency of patent infringement claims is increasing as patent holders, including 
entities that are not in our industry and who purchase patents as an investment or to monetize such rights by obtain-
ing royalties, use such claims as a competitive tactic and source of additional revenue. Third party infringement 
assertions, even those without merit, could cause us to incur substantial costs. If we are not successful in defending 
these claims, we could be required to enter into a license requiring ongoing royalty payments, we may be required to 
redesign our products, or we may be prohibited from selling any infringing technology.

Our network and service management software and other products incorporate software and components under 
licenses from third parties. We may be required to license additional technology from third parties in order to develop 
new products or product enhancements. There can be no assurance that these licenses will be available on acceptable 
commercial terms. Failure to obtain such licenses or other rights could affect our development efforts and harm our 
business, financial condition and operating results.

environmental matters
Our business and operations are subject to environmental laws in various jurisdictions around the world. We seek to 
operate our business in compliance with such laws. We are currently subject to laws relating to the materials and con-
tent of our products and certain requirements relating to product takeback and recycling. Environmental regulation is 
increasing, particularly outside of the United States, and we expect that our international operations will be subject to 
additional environmental compliance requirements, which may expose us to additional costs. To date, our compliance 
costs relating to environmental regulations have not resulted in a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations or financial condition.

employees
As of October 31, 2007, we had 1,797 employees. None of our employees is represented by labor unions or covered 
by a collective bargaining agreement. We have not experienced any work stoppages and we consider the relationships 
with our employees to be good.

20  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Directors and executive officers
The table below sets forth certain information concerning our directors and executive officers:

name 
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.  
Gary B. Smith  
Stephen B. Alexander 
Michael G. Aquino 
Joseph R. Chinnici 
James E. Moylan, Jr. 
Andrew C. Petrik 
Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D. 
Russell B. Stevenson, Jr. 
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.(2)(3) 
Harvey B. Cash(1)(3) 
Bruce L. Claflin(2) 
Lawton W. Fitt(2) 
Judith M. O’Brien(1)(3) 
Michael J. Rowny(2) 
Gerald H. Taylor(1) 

age 
64 
47 
48 
51 
53 
56 
44 
41 
66 
66 
69 
56 
54 
57 
57 
66 

position
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Senior Vice President, Products & Technology and Chief Technology Officer
Senior Vice President, World Wide Sales
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer Designate
Vice President, Controller and Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director

(1)  Member of the Compensation Committee
(2)  Member of the Audit Committee
(3)  Member of the Governance and Nominations Committee

Ciena’s Directors hold staggered terms of office, expiring as follows: Ms. O’Brien and Messrs. Cash and Smith in 2008; 
Messrs. Bradley, Claflin and Taylor in 2009; and Ms. Fitt, Dr. Nettles and Mr. Rowny in 2010.

Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1994 and as Executive Chairman of the 
Board of Directors since May 2001. From October 2000 to May 2001, Dr. Nettles was Chairman of the Board and 
Chief Executive Officer of Ciena, and he was President and Chief Executive Officer from April 1994 to October 
2000. Dr. Nettles serves as a Trustee for the California Institute of Technology and serves on the board of directors 
of Axcelis Technologies, Inc. and The Progressive Corporation. Dr. Nettles also serves on the boards of directors of 
Apptrigger, Inc., a privately held company.

Gary B. Smith joined Ciena in 1997 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2001. Mr. Smith 
has also served on Ciena’s Board of Directors since October 2000. Mr. Smith serves on the boards of directors for 
CommVault Systems, Inc. and the American Electronics Association. Mr. Smith also serves as a member of the Global 
Information Infrastructure Commission.

Stephen B. Alexander joined Ciena in 1994 and has served as Chief Technology Officer since September 1998 
and as a Senior Vice President since January 2000. Mr. Alexander currently serves as Senior Vice President of 
Products & Technology, a position he has held since October 2005. During 2004 and 2005, Mr. Alexander served  
as General Manager of Products & Technology and General Manager of Transport and Switching and Data 
Networking. Mr. Alexander serves on the Federal Communications Commission Technology Advisory Council.

Michael G. Aquino joined Ciena in June 2002 and has served as Ciena’s Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales since 
April 2006. Mr. Aquino previously held positions as Ciena’s Vice President of Americas, with responsibility for sales 
activities in the region, and Vice President of Government Solutions, where he focused on supporting Ciena’s relation-
ships with the U.S. and Canadian government.

Joseph R. Chinnici joined Ciena in 1994 and has served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer 
since August 1997. Mr. Chinnici serves on the boards of directors for Sourcefire, Inc. and Optium Corporation.  
Mr. Chinnici also serves on the board of directors for Brix Networks, Inc. a privately held company. Mr. Chinnici’s  
resignation as Chief Financial Officer is effective upon the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K.

21

James E. Moylan, Jr. has served as Senior Vice President, Finance since December 2007 and will become Ciena’s Chief 
Financial Officer effective following the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K. From June 2006 to December 2007, 
Mr. Moylan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Swett & Crawford, a wholesale insurance 
broker. From March 2004 to February 2006, Mr. Moylan served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of 
PRG-Shultz International, Inc., a publicly held recovery audit and business services firm. From June 2002 to April 2003, 
Mr. Moylan served as Executive Vice President in charge of Composite Panel Distribution and Administration for Georgia-
Pacific Corporation’s building products distribution business. From November 1999 to May 2002, Mr. Moylan served as 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sonat, Inc., an electronics contract manufacturing company.

Andrew C. Petrik joined Ciena in 1996 and has served as Vice President, Controller and Treasurer since August 1997.

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D. joined Ciena in May 1997 and has served as Chief Operating Officer since October 2005. Dr. 
Smith served as Senior Vice President, Global Operations from September 2003 to October 2005. Previously, Dr. Smith 
served as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Customer Services and Support from June 2002 to September 2003.

Russell B. Stevenson, Jr. has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since joining Ciena in 
August 2001.

Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1998. Professor Bradley is the William 
Ziegler Professor of Business Administration and teaches Competitive and Corporate Strategy in the Advanced 
Management Program at the Harvard Business School. A member of the Harvard faculty since 1968, Professor 
Bradley is also Chairman of Harvard’s Executive Program in Competition and Strategy: Building and Sustaining 
Competitive Advantage. Professor Bradley serves on the boards of directors of i2 Technologies, Inc. and the Risk 
Management Foundation of the Harvard Medical Institutions.

Harvey B. Cash has served as a Director of Ciena since April 1994. Mr. Cash is a general partner of InterWest 
Partners, a venture capital firm in Menlo Park, California, that he joined in 1985. Mr. Cash serves on the boards of 
directors of First Acceptance Corp., i2 Technologies, Inc., Silicon Laboratories, Inc., Argonaut Group, Inc. and Staktek 
Holdings, Inc.

Bruce L. Claflin has served as a Director of Ciena since August 2006. Mr. Claflin served as President and Chief 
Executive Officer of 3Com Corporation, from January 2001 until his retirement in February 2006. Mr. Claflin joined 
3Com as President and Chief Operating Officer in August 1998. Prior to 3Com, Mr. Claflin served as Senior Vice 
President and General Manager, Sales and Marketing, for Digital Equipment Corporation. Mr. Claflin also worked for 
22 years at IBM, where he held various sales, marketing and management positions, including general manager of 
IBM PC Company’s worldwide research and development, product and brand management, as well as president of 
IBM PC Company Americas. Mr. Claflin also serves on the board of directors of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

Lawton W. Fitt has served as a Director of Ciena since November 2000. From October 2002 to March 2005, Ms. Fitt 
served as Director of the Royal Academy of Arts in London. From 1979 to October 2002, Ms. Fitt was an investment 
banker with Goldman Sachs & Co., where she was a partner from 1994 to October 2002, and a managing director 
from 1996 to October 2002. Ms. Fitt is a director of Reuters PLC, Citizens Communications Company and Overture 
Acquisition Corporation, and a Senior Advisor to GSC Group.

Judith M. O’Brien has served as a Director of Ciena since July 2000. Since November 2006, Ms. O’Brien has served 
as Executive Vice President of Obopay, Inc., a provider of mobile payment services. From February 2001 until October 
2006, Ms. O’Brien served as a Managing Director at Incubic Venture Fund, a venture capital firm. From February 1984 
until February 2001, Ms. O’Brien was a partner with Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, where she specialized in cor-
porate finance, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters. Ms. O’Brien serves on the board of directors 
of Grandis Inc., a privately held company.

22  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Michael J. Rowny has served as a Director of Ciena since August 2004. Mr. Rowny has been Chairman of Rowny 
Capital, a private equity firm, since 1999. From 1994 to 1999, and previously from 1983 to 1986, Mr. Rowny was 
with MCI Communications in positions including President and Chief Executive Officer of MCI’s International Ventures, 
Alliances and Correspondent group, acting Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Finance, and Treasurer.  
Mr. Rowny serves on the board of directors of Neustar, Inc.

Gerald H. Taylor has served as a Director of Ciena since January 2000. Mr. Taylor has served as a Managing Member 
of mortonsgroup, LLC, a venture partnership specializing in telecommunications and information technology, since 
January 2000. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Taylor was Chief Executive Officer of MCI Communications Corporation.

item 1a.  riSK FaCtorS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the other information contained in this report, 
you should consider the following risk factors before investing in our securities.

our ability to grow our business and increase revenue depends upon continued growth of communica-
tions network traffic and the adoption of communications services and applications by enterprise and 
consumer end users.

We have experienced considerable annual revenue growth over the past two fiscal years, in part, due to growing 
demand and improved conditions in our markets. The growth of our business and revenue is dependent upon a num-
ber of market factors, including the continued growth of communications network traffic and increased reliance by 
consumers and businesses upon high-capacity communications services. We believe our business has benefitted from 
increases in the amount of data transmitted over communications networks and the desire among service providers to 
address capacity needs and offer additional consumer and enterprise services over more efficient, economical network 
architectures. There is no assurance these improved market conditions or our success in competing in these markets 
will continue. If growth in demand for bandwidth, or the adoption of new communications services, does not con-
tinue, or slows, the growth of our business and our revenues would be negatively impacted.

a small number of communications service provider customers account for a significant portion of our  
revenue and the loss of any of these customers, or a significant reduction in their spending, would have  
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our revenue has become increasingly concentrated among a relatively small number of customers. AT&T accounted 
for 25.3%, and Sprint for 12.8% of our fiscal 2007 revenue. The loss of, or significant reductions in spending by, one 
or more of our large customers would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results 
of operations. Our increased concentration in revenue has been affected, in part, by consolidations among a number 
of our largest customers. These consolidations have resulted in increased concentration of customer purchasing 
power, which in turn may lead to constraints on pricing, fluctuations in revenue, increases in costs to meet demands 
of large customers and pressure to accept onerous contract terms. Consolidation may result in fewer opportunities to 
participate in larger network builds and could increase our exposure to changes in customer network strategy and 
reductions in customer capital expenditures. In addition, because a significant part of our revenue remains concen-
trated among telecommunications service providers, our business could be exposed to risks associated with a 
market-wide change in business prospects, competitive pressures or other conditions affecting our carrier customers.

We face intense competition that could hurt our sales and profitability.

The markets in which we compete for sales of networking equipment, software and services are extremely competi-
tive, particularly the market for sales to communications service providers. Competition in these markets is based on 
any one or a combination of the following factors: price, product features and functionality, manufacturing capability 
and lead-times, incumbency and existing business relationships, scalability and the ability of products to meet the 
immediate and future network requirements of customers. A small number of very large companies has historically 
dominated our industry. These competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing resources, 
greater manufacturing capacity and better established relationships with telecommunications carriers and other 

23

potential customers than we do. Recent consolidation activity among large networking equipment providers has 
caused some of our competitors to grow even larger, which may increase their strategic advantages. In 2006, Alcatel 
acquired Lucent, Nokia and Siemens combined their communications service provider businesses to create a new joint 
venture, and Ericsson acquired certain telecommunications business assets of Marconi. These transactions may 
adversely affect our competitive position.

We also compete with a number of smaller companies that provide significant competition for a specific product, 
application, customer segment or geographic market. These competitors often base their products on the latest avail-
able technologies. Due to the narrower focus of their efforts, these competitors may achieve commercial availability of 
their products more quickly and may be more attractive to customers.

Increased competition in our markets has resulted in aggressive business tactics, including:

•	 “one-stop	shopping”	options;

•	 significant	price	competition,	particularly	from	competitors	in	Asia;

•	 customer	financing	assistance;

•	 early	announcements	of	competing	products	and	extensive	marketing	efforts;

•	 competitors	offering	equity	ownership	positions	to	customers;

•	 competitors	offering	to	repurchase	our	equipment	from	existing	customers;

•	 marketing	and	advertising	assistance;	and

•	

intellectual	property	assertions	and	disputes.

The tactics described above can be particularly effective in an increasingly concentrated base of potential customers such 
as telecommunications service providers. If we fail to compete successfully in our markets, our sales and profitability 
would suffer.

our revenue and operating results can fluctuate unpredictably from quarter to quarter.

Our revenue can fluctuate unpredictably from quarter to quarter. Fluctuations in our revenue can lead to even greater 
fluctuations in our operating results. Our budgeted expense levels depend in part on our expectations of future revenue. 
Any substantial adjustment to expenses in order to account for lower levels of revenue is difficult and takes time. 
Consequently, if our revenue declines, our levels of inventory, operating expense and general overhead would be high 
relative to revenue, and this could result in operating losses.

Other factors contribute to fluctuations in our revenue and operating results, including:

•		 the	level	of	demand	for	our	products	and	the	timing	and	size	of	customer	orders,	particularly	from	large	tele-

communications carrier customers;

•		 satisfaction	of	contractual	acceptance	criteria	and	related	revenue	recognition	requirements;

•		 delays,	changes	to	or	cancellation	of	orders	from	customers;

•	

the	effects	of	consolidation	of	our	customers,	including	increased	exposure	to	any	changes	in	network	strategy	
and reductions in customer capital expenditures;

•	

the	availability	of	an	adequate	supply	of	components	and	sufficient	manufacturing	capacity;

•		 the	introduction	of	new	products	by	us	or	our	competitors;

•		 readiness	of	customer	sites	for	installation;	and

•		 changes	in	general	economic	conditions	as	well	as	those	specific	to	our	market	segments.

Many of these factors are beyond our control, particularly in the case of large carrier orders and multi-vendor or multi-
technology network infrastructure builds where the achievement of certain performance thresholds for acceptance is 
subject to the readiness and performance of the customer or other providers, and changes in customer requirements 
or installation plans. As a consequence, our revenue and operating results for a particular quarter may be difficult to 
predict and our prior results are not necessarily indicative of results likely in future periods. Any one or a combination 
of the factors above may cause our revenue and operating results to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

24  Ciena Corporation 10-K

our gross margin may fluctuate from quarter to quarter which may adversely affect our level of profitability.

Our gross margin fluctuates from quarter to quarter and may be adversely affected by numerous factors, including:

•		 customer,	product	and	service	mix	in	any	period;

•	

•	

•	

the	effect	of	our	services	gross	margin,	which	is	generally	lower	than	our	product	gross	margin;

sales	volume	during	the	period;

increased	price	competition;

•	 charges	for	excess	or	obsolete	inventory;

•	 changes	in	the	price	or	availability	of	components	for	our	products;

•	 our	ability	to	continue	to	reduce	product	manufacturing	costs;

•	

introduction	of	new	products,	with	initial	sales	at	relatively	small	volumes	with	resulting	higher	production	
costs; and

•		 increased	warranty	or	repair	costs.

The factors that contribute to fluctuations in revenue and operating results can also significantly affect our gross mar-
gin. Fluctuations in gross margin may affect our level of profitability in any period. As a consequence, our gross 
margin for a particular quarter may be difficult to predict, and our prior results are not necessarily indicative of results 
likely in future periods.

network equipment sales to large communications service providers often involve lengthy sales cycles and 
protracted contract negotiations and may require us to assume terms or conditions that negatively affect 
our pricing, payment terms and the timing of revenue recognition.

Our future success will depend in large part on our ability to maintain and expand our sales to large communications 
service providers. These sales typically involve lengthy sales cycles, protracted or difficult contract negotiations, and 
extensive product testing and network certification. We are sometimes required to assume contract terms or condi-
tions that negatively affect pricing, payment terms and the timing of revenue recognition in order to consummate a 
sale. These terms may, in turn, negatively affect our revenue and results of operations and increase our susceptibility 
to quarterly fluctuations in our results. Communications service providers may ultimately insist upon terms and condi-
tions that we deem too onerous or not in our best interest. Moreover, our purchase agreements generally do not 
require that a customer guarantee any minimum purchase level and customers often have the right to modify, delay, 
reduce or cancel previous orders. As a result, we may incur substantial expense and devote time and resources to 
potential relationships that never materialize or result in lower than anticipated sales.

investment of research and development resources in technologies for which there is not a matching mar-
ket opportunity, or failure to sufficiently or timely invest in technologies for which there is market 
demand, would adversely affect our revenue and profitability.

The market for communications networking equipment is characterized by rapidly evolving technologies and changes 
in market demand. To succeed in this market, we are continually investing research and development resources into 
the enhancement of our existing products, the creation of new products and the development or acquisition of new 
technologies. There is often a lengthy period between commencing these development initiatives and bringing the 
new or revised product to market, and, during this time, technology or the market may move in directions we had not 
anticipated. There is a significant possibility, therefore, that at least some of our development decisions will not turn 
out as anticipated, and that our investment in a project will be unprofitable. There is also a possibility that we may 
miss a market opportunity because we fail to invest, or invest too late, in a new product or an enhancement of an 
existing product that could have been highly profitable. Changes in the market may also cause us to discontinue pre-
viously planned investments in products, which can have a disruptive effect on relationships with customers that were 
anticipating the availability of a new product or feature. If we fail to make the right investments and to make them at 
the right time, our competitive position may suffer and our revenue and profitability could be harmed.

25

We may be exposed to unanticipated risks and additional obligations in connection with our resale of 
complementary products or technology of other companies.

We have entered into agreements with strategic partners that permit us to distribute their products or technology. We 
rely upon these relationships to add complementary products or technologies or to fulfill an element of our product 
portfolio. As part of our strategy to diversify our product portfolio and customer base, we may enter into additional 
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or resale agreements in the future. We may incur unanticipated costs or dif-
ficulties relating to our resale of third party products. Our third party relationships could expose us to risks associated 
with delays in their development, manufacturing or delivery of products or technology. We may also be required by 
customers to assume warranty, service and other commercial obligations greater than the commitments, if any, made 
to us by these technology partners. Some of our strategic partners are relatively small companies with limited financial 
resources. If they are unable to satisfy their obligations to us or our customers, we may have to expend our own 
resources to satisfy these obligations. Exposure to the risks above could harm our reputation with key customers and 
negatively affect our business and our results of operations.

product performance problems could damage our business reputation and negatively affect our results  
of operations.

The development and production of equipment that addresses rapidly growing, multi-service communications net-
work traffic is complicated. Due to their complexity, some of our products can be fully tested only when deployed in 
communications networks or with other equipment. As a result, new products or product enhancements can contain 
undetected hardware or software errors at the time of release. We have introduced new or upgraded products 
recently and expect to continue to enhance and extend our product portfolio. Product performance problems are 
often more acute for initial deployments of new products and product enhancements. Unanticipated problems can 
relate to the design, manufacturing, installation or integration of our products. If we experience significant perfor-
mance, reliability or quality problems with our products, or our customers suffer significant network restoration delays 
relating to these problems, a number of negative effects on our business could result, including:

•	

increased	costs	to	address	software	or	hardware	defects;

•		 payment	of	liquidated	damages	or	claims	for	damages	for	performance	failures	or	delays;

•		 increased	inventory	obsolescence	and	warranty	expense;

•		 delays	in	collecting	accounts	receivable;

•		 cancellation	or	reduction	in	orders	from	customers;	and

•		 damage	to	our	reputation	or	legal	actions	by	customers	or	end	users.

Product performance problems could damage our business reputation and negatively affect our business and results 
of operations.

We may be required to write off significant amounts of inventory as a result of our inventory purchase 
practices, the convergence of our product lines and our supplier transitions.

To avoid delays and meet customer demand for shorter delivery terms, we place orders with our contract manufactur-
ers and suppliers to manufacture components and complete assemblies based on forecasts of customer demand. As a 
result, our inventory purchases expose us to the risk that our customers either will not order those products for which 
we have forecasted sales or will purchase fewer than the number of products we have forecasted. Our purchase 
agreements generally do not require that a customer guarantee any minimum purchase level, and customers often 
have the right to modify, reduce or cancel purchase quantities. As a result, we may purchase inventory based on fore-
casted sales and in anticipation of purchases that never come to fruition. Historically, our inventory write-offs have 
resulted from the circumstances above. As features and functionalities converge across our product lines, however, we 
face an increased risk that customers may elect to forego purchases of one product we have inventoried in favor of 
purchasing another product with similar functionality or application. We may be exposed to write-offs due to signifi-
cant inventory purchases that we deem necessary as we transition from one supplier to another, or resulting from a 
supplier’s decision to discontinue the manufacture of certain components. We may also be required to write off 

26  Ciena Corporation 10-K

inventory as a result of the effect of evolving domestic and international environmental regulations. If we are required 
to write off or write down a significant amount of inventory due to the factors above or otherwise, our results of 
operations for the period would be materially adversely affected.

Shortages in component supply or manufacturing capacity could increase our costs, adversely affect our 
results of operations and constrain our ability to grow our business.

As we have expanded our use of contract manufacturers, broadened our product portfolio and increased sales volume 
in recent years, manufacturing capacity and supply constraints have become increasingly significant issues for us. We 
have encountered component shortages that have affected our operations and ability to deliver products in a timely 
manner. Growth in customer demand for the communications networking products supplied by us, our competitors 
and other third parties, has resulted in supply constraints among providers of some components used in our products. 
In addition, environmental regulations, such as RoHS, have resulted in, and may continue to give rise to, increased 
demand for compliant components. As a result, we may experience delays or difficulty obtaining compliant compo-
nents from suppliers. Component shortages and manufacturing capacity constraints may also arise, or be exacerbated 
by difficulties with our suppliers or contract manufacturers, or our failure to adequately forecast our component or 
manufacturing needs. If shortages or delays occur or persist, the price of required components may increase, or the 
components may not be available at all. If we are unable to secure the components or subsystems that we require at 
reasonable prices, or are unable to secure adequate manufacturing capacity, we may experience delivery delays and 
may be unable to satisfy our contractual obligations to customers. These delays may cause us to incur liquidated dam-
ages to customers and negatively affect our revenue and gross margin. Shortages in component supply or 
manufacturing capacity could also limit our opportunities to pursue additional growth or revenue opportunities and 
could harm our business reputation and customer relationships.

We may not be successful in selling our products into new markets and developing and managing new 
sales channels.

We continue to take steps to sell our expanded product portfolio into new geographic markets and to a broader cus-
tomer base, including enterprises, cable operators, wireless operators and federal, state and local governments. We 
have less experience in these markets and believe, in order to succeed in these markets, we must develop and man-
age new sales channels and distribution arrangements. We expect these relationships to be an increasingly important 
part of the growth of our business and our efforts to increase revenue. We may not be successful in reaching addi-
tional customer segments or expanding into new geographic regions and may be exposed to increased expense and 
business and financial risks associated with entering new markets and pursuing new customer segments. We may 
expend time, money and other resources on channel relationships that are ultimately unsuccessful. In addition, sales 
to federal, state and local governments require compliance with complex procurement regulations with which we 
have little experience. We may be unable to increase our sales to government contractors if we determine that we 
cannot comply with applicable regulations. Our failure to comply with regulations for existing contracts could result in 
civil, criminal or administrative proceedings involving fines and suspension, or exclusion from participation in federal 
government contracts. Failure to manage additional sales channels effectively would limit our ability to succeed in 
these new markets and could adversely affect our ability to grow our customer base and revenue.

We may experience delays in the development and enhancement of our products that may negatively 
affect our competitive position and business.

To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance existing product platforms by adding new features and func-
tionality and introduce new products. Because our products are based on complex technology, we can experience 
unanticipated delays in developing, improving, manufacturing or deploying them. Each step in the development life 
cycle of our products presents serious risks of failure, rework or delay, any one of which could decrease the timing and 
cost-effective development of such products and could affect customer acceptance of such products. Unexpected 
intellectual property disputes, failure of critical design elements, and other execution risks may delay or even prevent 
the introduction of these products. Our development efforts may also be affected, particularly in the near term, by the 
transfer of some of our research and development activity to our facility in India. Modification of research and 

27

development strategies and changes in allocation of resources could also be disruptive to our development efforts. If 
we do not develop and successfully introduce products in a timely manner, our competitive position may suffer and 
our business, financial condition and results of operations would be harmed.

We must manage our relationships with contract manufacturers effectively to ensure that our manufactur-
ing and production requirements are met.

We rely on contract manufacturers to perform the majority of the manufacturing operations for our products and 
components and we are increasingly utilizing overseas suppliers, particularly in Asia. The qualification of our contract 
manufacturers is a costly and time-consuming process, and these manufacturers build products for other companies, 
including our competitors. We are constantly reviewing our manufacturing capability, including the work of our con-
tract manufacturers, to ensure that our production requirements are met in terms of cost, capacity, quality and 
reliability. From time to time, we may decide to transfer the manufacturing of a product from one contract manufac-
turer to another, to better meet our production needs. Efforts to transfer to a new contract manufacturer or 
consolidate our use of suppliers may result in temporary increases in inventory volumes purchased in order to ensure 
continued supply. We may not effectively manage these contract manufacturer transitions, and our new contract 
manufacturers may not perform as well as expected. Our reliance upon contract manufacturers could also expose us 
to risks that could harm our business related to difficulties with lead times, on-time delivery, quality assurance and 
product changes required to meet evolving environmental standards and regulations. These risks can result in strategic 
harm to our business, including delays affecting our time to market for new or enhanced products. In addition, we do 
not have contracts in place with some of these providers and do not have guaranteed supply of components or man-
ufacturing capacity. Our inability to effectively manage our relationships with our contract manufacturers, particularly 
overseas, could negatively affect our business and results of operations.

We depend on sole and limited source suppliers for some of our product components and the loss of a source, 
or a lack of availability of key components, could increase our costs and harm our customer relationships.

We depend on a limited number of suppliers for our product components and subsystems, as well as for equipment 
used to manufacture and test our products. Our products include several components for which reliable, high-volume 
suppliers are particularly limited. Some key optical and electronic components we use in our products are currently 
available only from sole or limited sources. As a result of this concentration in our supply chain, particularly for optical 
components, our business would be negatively affected if our suppliers were to experience any significant disruption 
in their operations affecting the price, quality, availability or timely delivery of components. Concentration in our sup-
ply chain can exacerbate our exposure to risks associated with vendors’ discontinuing the manufacture of certain 
components for our products. The loss of a source of supply, or lack of sufficient availability of key components, could 
require us to redesign products that use those components, which would increase our costs and negatively affect our 
product gross margin. The partial or complete loss of a sole or limited source supplier could result in lost revenue, 
added costs and deployment delays that could harm our business and customer relationships.

our failure to manage our relationships with service delivery partners effectively could adversely impact 
our financial results and relationship with customers.

We rely on a number of service delivery partners, both domestic and international, to complement our global service 
and support resources. We rely upon third party service delivery partners for the installation of our equipment in some 
large network builds. These projects often include onerous customization, installation, testing and acceptance terms. 
In order to ensure the timely installation of our products and satisfaction of obligations to our customers, we must 
identify, train and certify our partners. The certification of these partners can be costly and time-consuming, and these 
partners provide similar services for other companies, including our competitors. We may not be able to effectively 
manage our relationships with our partners and cannot be certain that they will be able to deliver services in the man-
ner or time required. If our service partners are unsuccessful in delivering services:

•	 we	may	suffer	delays	in	recognizing	revenue;

•	 our	services	revenue	and	gross	margin	may	be	adversely	affected;	and

•	 our	relationship	with	customers	could	suffer.

28  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Difficulties with service delivery partners could cause us to transition a larger share of deployment and other services 
from third parties to internal resources, thereby increasing our service overhead costs and negatively affecting our ser-
vices gross margin and results of operations.

We may incur significant costs and our competitive position may suffer as a result of our efforts to protect 
and enforce our intellectual property rights or respond to claims of infringement from others.

Our business is dependent upon the successful protection of our proprietary technology and intellectual property. We 
are subject to the risk that unauthorized parties may attempt to access, copy or otherwise obtain and use our propri-
etary technology, particularly as we expand our product development into India and increase our reliance upon 
contract manufacturers in Asia. These and other international operations could expose us to a lower level of intellec-
tual property protection than in the United States. Monitoring unauthorized use of our technology is difficult, and we 
cannot be certain that the steps that we are taking will prevent or minimize the risks of unauthorized use. If competi-
tors are able to use our technology, our ability to compete effectively could be harmed.

In recent years, we have filed suit to enforce our intellectual property rights. From time to time we have also been 
subject to litigation and other third party intellectual property claims, including as a result of our indemnification obli-
gations to customers or resellers that purchase our products. The frequency of these assertions is increasing as patent 
holders, including entities that are not in our industry and that purchase patents as an investment or to monetize such 
rights by obtaining royalties, use infringement assertions as a competitive tactic and a source of additional revenue. 
Intellectual property claims can significantly divert the time and attention of our personnel and result in costly litiga-
tion. Intellectual property infringement claims can also require us to pay substantial damages or royalties, enter into 
costly license agreements or develop non-infringing technology. Accordingly, the costs associated with third party 
intellectual property claims could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

our international operations could expose us to additional risks and result in increased operating expense.

We market, sell and service our products globally. We have established offices around the world, including in North 
America, Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region. We have also established a major development center in 
India and are increasingly relying upon overseas suppliers, particularly in Asia, for sourcing of components and con-
tract manufacturing of our products. We expect that our international activities will be dynamic in the near term, and 
we may enter new markets and withdraw from or reduce operations in others. These changes to our international 
operations may require significant management attention and result in additional expense. In some countries, our suc-
cess will depend in part on our ability to form relationships with local partners. Our inability to identify appropriate 
partners or reach mutually satisfactory arrangements for international sales of our products could impact our ability to 
maintain or increase international market demand for our products.

International operations are subject to inherent risks, including:

•		 effects	of	changes	in	currency	exchange	rates;

•	 greater	difficulty	in	collecting	accounts	receivable	and	longer	collection	periods;

•		 difficulties	and	costs	of	staffing	and	managing	foreign	operations;

•		 the	impact	of	economic	changes	in	countries	outside	the	United	States;

•		 less	protection	for	intellectual	property	rights	in	some	countries;

•	 adverse	tax	and	customs	consequences,	particularly	as	related	to	transfer-pricing	issues;

•		 social,	political	and	economic	instability;

•		 trade	protection	measures,	export	compliance,	qualification	to	transact	business	and	other	regulatory	require-

ments; and

•		 natural	disasters	and	epidemics.

These and other factors related to our international operations may result in increased risk to our business and could 
give rise to unanticipated expense or other effects that could adversely affect our financial results.

29

our use and reliance upon development resources in india may expose us to unanticipated costs or liabilities.

We have established a development center in India and expect to continue to increase hiring of personnel for this 
facility. There is no assurance that our reliance upon development resources in India will enable us to achieve mean-
ingful cost reductions or greater resource efficiency. Further, our development efforts and other operations in India 
involve significant risks, including:

•		 difficulty	hiring	and	retaining	appropriate	engineering	resources	due	to	intense	competition	for	such	resources	

and resulting wage inflation;

•		 the	knowledge	transfer	related	to	our	technology	and	exposure	to	misappropriation	of	intellectual	property	or	
confidential information, including information that is proprietary to us, our customers and other third parties;

•		 heightened	exposure	to	changes	in	the	economic,	security	and	political	conditions	of	India;

•		 fluctuation	in	currency	exchange	rates	and	tax	risks	associated	with	international	operations;	and

•		 development	efforts	that	do	not	meet	our	requirements	because	of	language,	cultural	or	other	differences	asso-

ciated with international operations, resulting in errors or delays.

Difficulties resulting from the factors above and other risks related to our operations in India could expose us to 
increased expense, impair our development efforts, harm our competitive position and damage our reputation.

our exposure to the credit risks of our customers and resellers may make it difficult to collect receivables 
and could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

In the course of our sales to customers, we may have difficulty collecting receivables and could be exposed to risks 
associated with uncollectible accounts. We may be exposed to similar risks relating to third party resellers and other 
sales channel partners. While we monitor these situations carefully and attempt to take appropriate measures to pro-
tect ourselves, it is possible that we may have to write down or write off doubtful accounts. Such write-downs or 
write-offs could negatively affect our operating results for the period in which they occur, and, if large, could have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.

efforts to restructure our operations and align our resources with market opportunities could disrupt our 
business and affect our results of operations.

Over the last several years, we have taken steps, including reductions in force, office closures, and internal reorganiza-
tions to reduce the size and cost of our operations and to better match our resources with our market opportunities. 
We may take similar steps in the future to improve efficiency and match our resources with market opportunities. Any 
such changes could be disruptive to our business and may result in the recording of accounting charges. These include 
inventory and technology-related write-offs, workforce reduction costs and charges relating to consolidation of excess 
facilities. If we are required to take a substantial charge related to any future restructuring activities, our results of 
operations would be adversely affected in the period in which we take such a charge.

if we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may be unable to manage our business effectively.

Competition to attract and retain highly skilled technical and other personnel with experience in our industry is increasing 
in intensity, and our employees have been the subject of targeted hiring by our competitors. We may experience difficulty 
retaining and motivating existing employees and attracting qualified personnel to fill key positions. It may be difficult to 
replace members of our management team or other key personnel, and the loss of such individuals could be disruptive to 
our business. Because we generally do not have employment contracts with our employees, we must rely upon providing 
competitive compensation packages and a high-quality work environment in order to retain and motivate employees. If 
we are unable to attract and retain qualified personnel, we may be unable to manage our business effectively.

We may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

To date, we have not significantly hedged against foreign currency fluctuations. Historically, our primary exposure to 
currency exchange rates has been related to non-U.S. dollar denominated operating expense in Europe, Asia and 
Canada where we sell primarily in U.S. dollars. With the growth of our international headcount, we have witnessed 
increases in operating expense resulting from the weakening of the U.S. dollar. We expect these risks to continue as 
we further increase headcount in India.

30  Ciena Corporation 10-K

As we increase our international sales and utilization of international suppliers, we may transact additional business in 
currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As a result, we will be subject to the possibility of greater effects of foreign 
exchange translation on our financial statements. For those countries outside the United States where we have signifi-
cant sales, a devaluation in the local currency would make our products more expensive for customers to purchase or 
increase our operating costs, thereby adversely affecting our competitiveness. There can be no assurance that 
exchange rate fluctuations in the future will not have a material adverse effect on our revenue from international sales 
and, consequently, our business, operating results and financial condition.

Strategic acquisitions and investments may expose us to increased costs and unexpected liabilities.

We may acquire or make strategic investments in other companies to expand the markets we address and diversify 
our customer base. We may also engage in these transactions to acquire or accelerate the development of technology 
or products. To do so, we may use cash, issue equity that would dilute our current shareholders’ ownership, incur 
debt or assume indebtedness. These transactions involve numerous risks, including:

•	 difficulty	integrating	the	operations,	technologies	and	products	of	the	acquired	companies;

•		 diversion	of	management’s	attention;

•		 difficulty	completing	projects	of	the	acquired	company	and	costs	related	to	in-process	projects;

•		 the	loss	of	key	employees	of	the	acquired	company;

•	 amortization	expenses	related	to	intangible	assets	and	charges	associated	with	impairment	of	goodwill;

•	

ineffective	internal	controls	over	financial	reporting;

•	 dependence	on	unfamiliar	supply	partners;	and

•	 exposure	to	unanticipated	liabilities,	including	intellectual	property	infringement	claims.

As a result of these and other risks, any acquisitions or strategic investments may not reap the intended benefits and 
may ultimately have a negative impact on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

Changes in government regulation could lead our customers to reduce investment in their communications 
networks which would reduce the size of our market and could adversely affect our business.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has jurisdiction over the U.S. communications industry and similar 
agencies have jurisdiction over the communication industries in other countries. Many of our most important custom-
ers are subject to the rules and regulations of these agencies. Changes in regulatory requirements in the United States 
or other countries could inhibit service providers from investing in their communications network infrastructures and 
thus could adversely affect the sale of our products. Changes in regulatory tariff requirements or other regulations 
relating to pricing or terms of carriage on communications networks could slow the expansion of network infrastruc-
tures and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

the investment of our substantial cash balance and our investments in marketable debt securities are sub-
ject to risks which may cause losses and affect the liquidity of these investments.

At October 31, 2007, we had $892.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $856.1 million in investments in mar-
ketable debt securities. We have historically invested these amounts in corporate bonds, asset-backed obligations, 
commercial paper, securities issued by the United States, certificates of deposit and money market funds meeting cer-
tain criteria. These investments are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which may be 
exacerbated by U.S. sub-prime mortgage defaults that have affected various sectors of the financial markets and 
caused credit and liquidity issues. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we determined that declines in the fair 
value of certain of our investments in commercial paper issued by two structured investment vehicles (SIVs) were oth-
er-than-temporary. Each of these SIVs entered receivership during our fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and subsequently 
failed to make payment at maturity. As of October 31, 2007, we recognized realized losses of $13.0 million related to 
these investments and estimated the fair value of these investments at $33.9 million. See “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies—Investments” in Item 7 of 
Part II of this report for more information about this loss and our determination of the fair value of these investments 
at October 31, 2007. We may recognize further realized losses in the fair value of these investments or a complete 

31

loss of these investments. Additional losses would have a negative effect on our net income. Information and the 
markets relating to investments that hold mortgage-related assets as collateral remain dynamic. There may be further 
declines in the value of these investments and the value of the collateral held by these entities. As a result, we may 
experience a reduction in value or loss of liquidity of other investments. In addition, should our other investments 
cease paying or reduce the amount of interest paid to us, our interest income would suffer. These market risks associ-
ated with our investment portfolio may have a negative adverse effect on our results of operations, liquidity and 
financial condition.

We may be required to take further write-downs of goodwill and other intangible assets.

As of October 31, 2007, we had $232.0 million of goodwill on our balance sheet. This amount primarily represents 
the remaining excess of the total purchase price of our acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired.  
At October 31, 2007, we had $67.1 million of other intangible assets on our balance sheet. The amount primarily 
reflects purchased technology from our acquisitions. At October 31, 2007, goodwill and other intangible assets 
represented approximately 12.4% of our total assets. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we incurred a goodwill 
impairment charge of approximately $176.6 million and an impairment of other intangibles of $45.7 million. If we 
are required to record additional impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangible assets, such charges 
would have the effect of decreasing our earnings or increasing our losses in such period. If we are required to take 
a substantial impairment charge, our operating results could be materially adversely affected in such period.

Failure to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting could have a material adverse effect 
on our business, operating results and stock price.

Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we include in our annual report a report containing man-
agement’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of our fiscal 
year and a statement as to whether or not such internal controls are effective. Compliance with these requirements 
has resulted in, and is likely to continue to result in, significant costs and the commitment of time and operational 
resources. Growth of our business, including our broader product portfolio and increased transaction volume, will 
necessitate ongoing changes to our internal control systems, processes and information systems. Our increasingly 
global operations, including our development facility in India and offices abroad, will pose additional challenges to our 
internal control systems as their operations become more significant. We cannot be certain that our current design for 
internal control over financial reporting will be sufficient to enable management or our independent registered public 
accounting firm to determine that our internal controls are effective for any period, or on an ongoing basis. If we or 
our independent registered public accounting firms are unable to assert that our internal controls over financial 
reporting are effective our business may be harmed. Market perception of our financial condition and the trading 
price of our stock may be adversely affected, and customer perception of our business may suffer.

obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness on our convertible notes may adversely affect 
our business.

At October 31, 2007, indebtedness on our outstanding convertible notes totaled $1.3 billion in aggregate principal, of 
which $542.3 million in aggregate principal amount on our 3.75% convertible notes becomes due and payable on 
February 1, 2008. Our indebtedness and repayment obligations could have important negative consequences, including:

•	

•	

•	

•	

increasing	our	vulnerability	to	general	adverse	economic	and	industry	conditions;

limiting	our	ability	to	obtain	additional	financing;

reducing	the	availability	of	cash	resources	for	other	purposes,	including	capital	expenditures;

limiting	our	flexibility	in	planning	for,	or	reacting	to,	changes	in	our	business	and	the	markets	in	which	we	com-
pete; and

•	 placing	us	at	a	possible	competitive	disadvantage	to	competitors	that	have	better	access	to	capital	resources.

We may also add additional indebtedness such as equipment loans, working capital lines of credit and other long 
term debt.

32  Ciena Corporation 10-K

our business is dependent upon the proper functioning of our information systems and upgrading these 
systems may result in disruption to our business, operating processes and internal controls.

The efficient operation of our business is dependent on the successful operation of our information systems. In par-
ticular, we rely on our information systems to process financial information, manage inventory and administer our 
sales transactions. In an effort to improve the efficiency of our operations, achieve greater automation and support 
the growth of our business, we are in the process of upgrading certain information systems and have recently imple-
mented a new version of our Oracle management information system. We anticipate that we will have to modify a 
number of operational processes and internal control procedures as a result of this upgrade. Any material disruption, 
malfunction or similar problems with our information systems could have a negative effect on our business and results 
of operations in the period affected. In addition, in recent years, we have experienced a considerable growth in trans-
action volume, headcount and reliance upon international resources in our operations. Our information systems need 
to be sufficiently scalable to support the continued growth of our operations and the efficient management of our 
business. If our information system resources are inadequate, we may be required to undertake costly upgrades and 
the growth of our business could be harmed.

our stock price is volatile.

Our common stock price has experienced substantial volatility in the past and may remain volatile in the future. 
Volatility can arise as a result of a number of the factors discussed in this “Risk Factors” section, as well as divergence 
between our actual or anticipated financial results and published expectations of analysts, and announcements that 
we, our competitors, or our customers may make.

item 1B.  unreSoLVeD StaFF CommentS
Not applicable.

item 2.  propertieS
As of October 31, 2007, all of our properties are leased. Our principal executive offices are located in Linthicum, 
Maryland. We lease thirty-eight facilities related to our ongoing operations. These include five buildings located at  
various sites near Linthicum, Maryland, including an engineering facility, three manufacturing facilities, and one 
administrative and sales facility. We have engineering and/or service facilities located in Alpharetta, Georgia; Acton, 
Massachusetts; and Kanata, Canada. We also maintain a sales and service facility in London, England. During fiscal 
2006, we commenced operations of our development facility in Gurgaon, India, and our manufacturing support 
office in Shenzhen, China. We also lease various small offices in the United States and abroad to support our sales 
and services. We believe the facilities we are now using are adequate and suitable for our business requirements.

We lease a number of properties that we no longer occupy. As part of our restructuring costs, we provide for the esti-
mated cost of the net lease expense for these facilities. The cost is based on the fair value of future minimum lease 
payments under contractual obligations offset by the fair value of the estimated future sublease payments that we 
may receive. As of October 31, 2007, our accrued restructuring liability related to these properties was $4.7 million. If 
actual market conditions relating to the use of these facilities are less favorable than those projected by management, 
additional restructuring costs associated with these facilities may be required. For additional information regarding our 
lease obligations, see Note 17 to the financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.

item 3.  LegaL proCeeDingS
On October 3, 2000, Stanford University and Litton Systems filed a complaint in the United States District Court for 
the Central District of California against Ciena and several other defendants, alleging that optical fiber amplifiers 
incorporated into certain of those parties’ products infringe U.S. Patent No. 4,859,016 (the “‘016 Patent”). The com-
plaint seeks injunctive relief, royalties and damages. On October 10, 2003, the court stayed the case pending final 
resolution of matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”), including a request for and disposition 

33

of a reexamination of the ‘016 Patent. On October 16, 2003, and November 2, 2004, the PTO granted reexamina-
tions of the ‘016 Patent, resulting in a continuation of the stay of the case. On September 11, 2006, the PTO issued a 
Notice of Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate and Statement of Reasons for Patentability/Confirmation, stating 
its intent to confirm certain claims of the ‘016 Patent. On June 22, 2007, the district court issued an order lifting the 
stay of the case. The parties are currently engaged in discovery. Separately, on July 2, 2007, defendant JDS Uniphase 
filed with the PTO a request for ex parte reexamination of the ‘016 Patent and a request that the district court rein-
state the stay of the case on the basis of its reexamination request. On November 20, 2007, the PTO granted the 
request for reexamination in part, including only claim 12 of the ‘016 Patent in the scope of its reexamination. On 
November 28, 2007, based on the PTO’s rationale in granting reexamination, defendant JDS Uniphase filed with the 
PTO another request for ex parte reexamination of claim 11 of the ‘016 Patent. The court has not ruled on the motion 
to reinstate the stay. On December 11, 2007, the district court continued the final pretrial conference to June 16, 
2008. The case has not yet been scheduled for trial. We are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter at 
this time or to reasonably estimate the amount or range of the potential loss, if any, that might result from an adverse 
resolution of this matter. We believe that we have valid defenses to the lawsuit and intend to defend it vigorously.

As a result of our merger with ONI Systems Corp. in June 2002, Ciena became a defendant in a securities class action 
lawsuit. Beginning in August 2001, a number of substantially identical class action complaints alleging violations of the 
federal securities laws were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. These com-
plaints name ONI, Hugh C. Martin, ONI’s former chairman, president and chief executive officer; Chris A. Davis, ONI’s 
former executive vice president, chief financial officer and administrative officer; and certain underwriters of ONI’s initial 
public offering as defendants. The complaints were consolidated into a single action, and a consolidated amended com-
plaint was filed on April 24, 2002. The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the underwriter defendants 
violated the securities laws by failing to disclose alleged compensation arrangements (such as undisclosed commissions  
or stock stabilization practices) in the initial public offering’s registration statement and by engaging in manipulative prac-
tices to artificially inflate the price of ONI’s common stock after the initial public offering. The amended complaint also 
alleges that ONI and the named former officers violated the securities laws on the basis of an alleged failure to disclose 
the underwriters’ alleged compensation arrangements and manipulative practices. No specific amount of damages has 
been claimed. Similar complaints have been filed against more than 300 other issuers that have had initial public offer-
ings since 1998, and all of these actions have been included in a single coordinated proceeding. Mr. Martin and Ms. Davis 
have been dismissed from the action without prejudice pursuant to a tolling agreement. In July 2004, following mediated 
settlement negotiations, the plaintiffs, the issuer defendants (including Ciena), and their insurers entered into a settle-
ment agreement, whereby the plaintiffs’ cases against the issuers would be dismissed, the insurers would agree to 
guarantee a recovery by the plaintiffs from the underwriter defendants of at least $1 billion, and the issuer defendants 
would agree to assign or surrender to the plaintiffs certain claims the issuers may have against the underwriters. The set-
tlement agreement did not require Ciena to pay any amount toward the settlement or to make any other payments. In 
October 2004, the district court certified a class with respect to the Section 10(b) claims in six “focus cases” selected out 
of all of the consolidated cases, which cases did not include Ciena, and which decision was appealed by the underwriter 
defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On February 15, 2005, the district court granted the 
motion filed by the plaintiffs and issuer defendants for preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, subject to cer-
tain modifications to the proposed bar order, and on August 31, 2005, the district court issued a preliminary order 
approving the revised stipulated settlement agreement. On December 5, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second 
Circuit vacated the district court’s grant of class certification in the six focus cases. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit 
denied plaintiffs’ petition for rehearing. In light of the Second Circuit’s decision, the parties agreed that the settlement 
could not be approved. On June 25, 2007, the district court approved a stipulation filed by the plaintiffs and the issuer 
defendants terminating the proposed settlement. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed second amended complaints 
against the defendants in the six focus cases, as well as a set of amended master allegations against the other issuer 
defendants, including changes to the definition of the purported class of investors. On September 27, 2007, the plaintiffs 
filed a motion for class certification based on their amended complaints and allegations. On November 12, 2007, the 
defendants in the six focus cases moved to dismiss the second amended complaints. Due to the inherent uncertainties of 
litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter at this time.

34  Ciena Corporation 10-K

In addition to the matters described above, we are subject to various legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in 
the ordinary course of business. We do not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material 
effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

item 4.  SuBmiSSion oF matterS to a Vote oF SeCurity HoLDerS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

35

PaRT II

item 5.   marKet For regiStrant’S Common StoCK, reLateD 

StoCKHoLDer matterS anD iSSuer purCHaSeS oF  
eQuity SeCuritieS

(a) 

 Ciena’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CIEN.” The following 
table sets forth the high and low sales prices of Ciena common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select 
Market, for the fiscal periods indicated. The sales prices below have been adjusted to reflect the one-for-seven 
reverse stock split of Ciena’s authorized and outstanding common stock effected on September 22, 2006.

price range of Common Stock

High 

Low

Fiscal Year 2006

First Quarter ended January 31 
Second Quarter ended April 30 
Third Quarter ended July 31 
Fourth Quarter ended October 31 

Fiscal Year 2007

First Quarter ended January 31 
Second Quarter ended April 30 
Third Quarter ended July 31 
Fourth Quarter ended October 31 

 $28.77  
 $39.34  
 $33.67  
 $30.87  

 $30.56  
 $32.80  
 $41.13  
 $49.55  

 $16.31 
 $26.04 
 $23.38 
 $23.08 

 $24.39 
 $24.75 
 $28.22 
 $32.75

As of December 14, 2007, there were approximately 1,670 holders of record of Ciena’s common stock and 86,798,914 
shares of common stock outstanding. Ciena has never paid cash dividends on its capital stock. We intend to retain earn-
ings for use in our business and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

36  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for an investment in the common stock of Ciena, 
the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index and the S&P 500 Index from October 31, 2002 to October 31, 2007. The 
NASDAQ Telecommunications Index contains securities of NASDAQ-listed companies classified according to the Industry 
Classification Benchmark as Telecommunications and Telecommunications Equipment. They include providers of fixed-
line and mobile telephone services, and makers and distributors of high-technology communication products. This graph 
is not deemed to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, and the graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing by Ciena 
under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

s
r
a
l
l

o
D

.
S
.
u

oct 02

apr 03

oct 03

apr 04

oct 04

apr 05

oct 05

apr 06

oct 06

apr 07

oct 07

Ciena

S&p 500 index

naSDaQ telecommunications index

Assumes $100 invested in Ciena Corporation, the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index and the S&P 500 Index on 
October 31, 2002 with all dividends reinvested at month-end.

(b)  Not applicable.

(c)  Not applicable.

37

 
item 6.  SeLeCteD ConSoLiDateD FinanCiaL Data
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements 
and the notes thereto included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Ciena has a 52 or 53 
week fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday nearest to the last day of October in each year. For purposes of financial 
statement presentation, each fiscal year is described as having ended on October 31. Fiscal 2003, 2004, 2005 and 
2006 consisted of 52 weeks and fiscal 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.

Balance Sheet Data:

(in thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 
Long-term investments 
Total assets 
Short-term convertible notes payable 
Long-term convertible notes payable 
Total liabilities 
Stockholders’ equity 

2003 
$   294,914 
796,809 
519,744 
2,378,165 
— 
730,428 
1,047,348 
1,330,817 

as of october 31,

2004 
$   185,868 
753,251 
329,704 
2,137,054 
— 
690,000 
982,632 
1,154,422 

2005 
$   358,012 
579,531 
155,944 
1,675,229 
— 
648,752 
939,862 
735,367 

2006 
$   220,164 
628,393 
351,407 
1,839,713 
— 
842,262 
1,086,087 
753,626 

2007
$   892,061
822,185
33,946
2,416,273
542,262
800,000
1,566,119
850,154

38  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
Statement of operations Data:

(in thousands, except per share data) 
Revenue 
Cost of goods sold 

Gross profit 
Operating expenses:

Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Amortization of intangible assets 
In-process research and development 
Restructuring costs 
Goodwill impairment 
Long-lived asset impairment 
Gain on lease settlement 
Recovery of sale, export, use tax  

liabilities and payments 

Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts 

Total operating expenses 
Income (loss) from operations 
Interest and other income, net 
Interest expense 
Gain (loss) on equity investments, net 
Loss, other-than-temporary, on  
  marketable debt investments 
Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt 
Income (loss) before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 
Net income (loss) 
Basic net income (loss) per common share 
Diluted net income (loss) per dilutive  
  potential common share 
Weighted average basic common shares 
Weighted average dilutive potential  
  common shares 

year ended october 31,

2003 
$ 283,136 
210,091 
73,045 

2004 
$ 298,707 
226,954 
71,753 

2005 
$ 427,257 
291,067 
136,190 

2006 
$564,056 
306,275 
257,781 

2007
$779,769
417,500
362,269

212,523 
105,921 
39,703 
17,870 
2,800 
13,575 
— 
47,176 
— 

— 
— 
439,568 
(366,523) 
45,987 
(39,359) 
(4,760) 

— 
(20,606) 
(385,261) 
1,256 
$(386,517) 
   (6.06) 
$ 

205,364 
112,310 
28,592 
30,839 
30,200 
57,107 
371,712 
15,926 
— 

(5,388) 
(2,794) 
843,868 
(772,115) 
25,936 
(29,841) 
(4,107) 

— 
(8,216) 
(788,343) 
1,121 
$(789,464) 
 (10.60) 
$ 

137,245 
115,022 
33,715 
38,782 
— 
18,018 
176,600 
45,862 
— 

— 
2,602 
567,846 
(431,656) 
31,294 
(28,413) 
(9,486) 

— 
3,882 
(434,379) 
1,320 
$(435,699) 
   (5.30) 
$ 

$ 

   (6.06) 
63,814 

$ 

 (10.60) 
74,493 

$ 

   (5.30) 
82,170 

111,069 
104,434 
47,476 
25,181 
— 
15,671 
— 
— 
(11,648) 

— 
(3,031) 
289,152 
(31,371) 
50,245 
(24,165) 
215 

127,296
118,015
50,262
25,350
—
(2,435)
—
—
(4,871)

—
(14)
313,603
48,666
76,483
(26,996)
592

— 
7,052 
1,976 
1,381 
  595 
   0.01 

(13,013)
—
85,732
2,944
$  82,788
   0.97
$ 

   0.01 
83,840 

$ 

   0.87
85,525

$ 
$ 

$ 

63,814 

74,493 

82,170 

85,011 

99,604

39

 
 
item 7.   management’S DiSCuSSion anD anaLySiS oF FinanCiaL 

ConDition anD reSuLtS oF operationS

This section contains statements that discuss future events or expectations, projections of results of operations or 
financial condition, changes in the markets for our products and services, or other “forward-looking” information. Our 
“forward-looking” information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. In some 
cases, you can identify these “forward-looking statements” by words like “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” 
“anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other 
comparable words. You should be aware that these statements only reflect our current predictions and beliefs. These 
statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual events or results  
may differ materially. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the forward- 
looking statements are disclosed throughout this report, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of 
Part I of this annual report. You should review these risk factors for a more complete understanding of the risks asso-
ciated with an investment in our securities. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking 
statements. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our “Selected Consolidated 
Financial Data” and consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this annual report.

overview
Ciena Corporation is a supplier of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the 
transport, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Our products are used, individu-
ally or as part of an integrated solution, in communications network infrastructures operated by telecommunications 
service providers, cable operators, governments and enterprises around the globe. Our products facilitate the cost- 
effective delivery of enterprise and consumer-oriented communication services. Through our FlexSelect™ Architecture, 
we specialize in transitioning legacy communications networks to converged, next-generation architectures, better 
able to handle increased traffic and to deliver more efficiently a broader mix of high-bandwidth communications ser-
vices. By improving network productivity, reducing costs and enabling integrated service offerings, our converged 
Ethernet infrastructure and broadband access products create business and operational value for our customers.

Over the past fiscal year, market conditions and the execution of our network specialist strategy enabled us to gener-
ate revenue of $779.8 million, representing a 38.2% increase from fiscal 2006 revenue of $564.1 million. Growth in 
consumer and enterprise reliance upon communications services continues to drive increases in network capacity 
requirements and new high-bandwidth applications and services. The resulting broader mix of high-volume traffic is 
driving a transition from legacy network infrastructures to more efficient, simplified, Ethernet-based network architec-
tures. We believe that our FlexSelect Architecture and Ethernet/IP-related enhancements to our product portfolio have 
enabled us to benefit from both increasing capacity requirements and the convergence of networks to more efficient 
and economical architectures. We believe that these conditions that have allowed us to achieve significant revenue 
growth over the past two fiscal years will enable continued growth of our business during fiscal 2008, although we 
currently expect a somewhat lower annual growth rate than we achieved in fiscal 2007.

Consolidation within the telecommunications industry and among several of our largest customers continues to affect 
our concentration of revenue. For fiscal 2007, two customers each accounted for greater than 10% of our fiscal 2007 
revenue, and 38.1% in the aggregate. AT&T represented 25.3% and Sprint represented 12.8%. We believe that our 
fiscal 2007 results illustrate our success in leveraging our incumbent position within large carriers. However, this con-
centration of our revenue exposes us to additional risks, including greater pricing pressure and increased susceptibility 
to changes in customers’ network strategy or reductions in their capital expenditures.

Our percentage of international revenue increased from $140.4 million, or 24.9% of total revenue, in fiscal 2006 to 
$226.2 million, or 29.0% of total revenue in fiscal 2007. We expect our international sales to continue to increase as 
a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2008.

40  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Revenue was $216.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, representing a 5.5% sequential quarterly increase. 
While we believe that we will be able to grow annual revenue from the level achieved for fiscal 2007, the nature of 
our business continues to expose us to the likelihood of quarterly fluctuation in revenue during fiscal 2008. A sizable 
portion of our revenue comes from sales to a small number of telecommunications service providers for large com-
munication network builds. These projects are generally characterized by large and sporadic equipment orders and 
contract terms that can result in the recognition or deferral of significant amounts of revenue in a given quarter. The 
level of demand for our products, the timing and size of equipment orders, our ability to deliver products to fulfill 
those orders, and the timing of product acceptance for revenue recognition all contribute to and can cause fluctua-
tions in our revenue on a quarterly basis.

Improving and stabilizing gross margin was an area of significant focus for us during fiscal 2007. Gross margin for 
fiscal 2007 was 46.5%, up from 45.7% in fiscal 2006, and product gross margin was 51.4%, up from 47.5%. Gross 
margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 was 50.5%. Gross margin improvement during fiscal 2007 reflects the 
effect of favorable product and customer mix and the negative effect of a reduced services gross margin. Our 
increased gross margin for fiscal 2007 also reflects significant product cost reductions and improved manufacturing 
efficiencies, as we increasingly utilize lower cost suppliers in Asia. Part of our strategy is to maintain the product 
gross margin improvements made during fiscal 2007 by focusing on the development and sale of Ethernet-based, 
software-intensive products that enable the flexible, cost-effective delivery of higher value communications services. 
Our gross margin, however, continues to be susceptible to quarterly fluctuation due to a number of factors, includ-
ing: product and customer mix during the period, our ability to drive further product cost reductions, the level of 
pricing pressure we encounter, the effect of changes in our services gross margin, the introduction of new products 
or entry into new markets, charges for excess and obsolete inventory and changes in warranty costs.

Operating expense increased from $289.2 million in fiscal 2006 to $313.6 million in fiscal 2007, but decreased as a 
percentage of revenue from 51.3% to 40.2%. Operating expense for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 was $82.0 mil-
lion, a slight increase from $81.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. We expect operating expense to increase 
in absolute dollars during fiscal 2008 to support growth of the business, research and development projects, and 
increased headcount for our India development site and sales resources.

The results above drove significant improvements in income from operations and net income during fiscal 2007. 
Income from operations increased from a loss of $31.4 million in fiscal 2006 to income of $48.7 million in fiscal 2007. 
Net income increased from $0.6 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in fiscal 2006 to $82.8 million, or $0.87 per 
diluted share, in fiscal 2007. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 was $30.4 million, or $0.30 per diluted 
share. This compares with net income of $28.3 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. 
We continue to work to gain additional leverage from our operating model to drive operating margin improvements. 
We expect interest income, which was a significant component of our net income in fiscal 2007, to decrease as a 
result of our repayment of the remaining principal balance of $542.3 million on our 3.75% convertible notes during 
the first quarter of fiscal 2008, and lower interest rates on investment balances.

We generated $108.7 million in cash from operations during fiscal 2007 as compared to our use of $79.4 million 
during fiscal 2006. Cash from operations during fiscal 2007 consisted of $170.7 million in cash from net income 
(adjusted for non-cash charges) and a $62.0 million net decrease in cash resulting from changes in working capital. 
We generated $11.3 million in cash from operations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, consisting of $61.4 mil- 
lion in cash from net income (adjusted for non-cash charges) and a $50.1 million net use of cash resulting from 
changes in working capital. This compares with $64.1 million in cash generated from operations during the third 
quarter of fiscal 2007, consisting of $44.1 million in cash from net income (adjusted for non-cash charges) and a 
$20.0 million net increase in cash resulting from changes in working capital.

On June 11, 2007, we completed a $500.0 million public offering of 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 
2017. This offering resulted in net proceeds of approximately $445.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, 
expenses and $42.5 million we used to purchase a call spread option on our common stock. The call spread option is 
intended to mitigate our exposure to potential dilution from the conversion of the notes. We expect to use the net 

41

proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the repurchase, or repayment at maturity, 
of our outstanding 3.75% convertible notes. The remaining principal balance on our outstanding 3.75% convertible 
notes of $542.3 million becomes due and payable on February 1, 2008. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and 
Notes 11 and 13 to our financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for a discussion of our convertible notes 
and call spread options.

We had $892.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $856.1 million in short-term and long-term investments in 
marketable debt securities at October 31, 2007. Our investments in marketable debt securities at October 31, 2007 
reflect a $13.0 million realized loss recognized during the fourth quarter of 2007 related to our investments in com-
mercial paper issued by two structured investment vehicles that entered receivership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2007 and failed to make payment at maturity. Due to the mortgage-related assets that they hold, each of these enti-
ties has been exposed to adverse market conditions that have affected the value of their collateral and their ability to 
access short-term funding. At the time of our investment in the third quarter of fiscal 2007, each investment had a 
rating of A1+ by Standard and Poor’s and P-1 by Moody’s, their highest ratings respectively. Giving effect to these 
losses, our investment portfolio at October 31, 2007 included an estimated fair value of $33.9 million in commercial 
paper issued by these two SIVs. Information and the markets relating to these investments remain dynamic and there 
may be further declines in the value of these investments, the value of the collateral held by these entities and the 
liquidity of our investments. To the extent we determine that a further decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, 
we may recognize additional realized losses in future periods, up to the aggregate amount of these investments, 
which would have a negative effect on our net income. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Investments” 
below for additional information regarding this loss and our determination of the fair value of these investments at 
October 31, 2007.

As of October 31, 2007, headcount was 1,797, an increase from 1,485 at October 31, 2006 and an increase from 
1,770 at July 31, 2007.

results of operations
In this report we discuss our revenue in three major groupings as follows:

1.  Converged Ethernet Infrastructure. This group incorporates our transport and switching products and 

packet interworking products and related software previously reported in our optical networking and data net-
working product groups.

2.  Ethernet Access. This group includes our CNX-5™ Broadband DSL System and CNX-5Plus™ Modular Broadband 
Loop Carrier and related software previously reported in our broadband access product group. For the periods  
covered in this report, this group does not include CN 3000 Ethernet Access Series, as we have yet to recognize 
revenue related to this recently announced product.

3.  Global Network Services. This group continues to include revenue associated with our service, support and 

training activities.

Cost of goods sold consists of component costs, direct compensation costs, warranty and other contractual obliga-
tions, royalties, license fees, direct technical support costs, cost of excess and obsolete inventory and overhead related 
to manufacturing, technical support, and engineering, furnishing and installation (“EF&I”) operations.

42  Ciena Corporation 10-K

fiscal 2006 Compared to fiscal 2007

Revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in revenue, cost of goods sold and 
gross profit for the periods indicated:

Revenue:

Products 
Services 
Total revenue 
Costs:

Products 
Services 

Total cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 

2006 

%* 

2007 

%* 

Fiscal year 

$502,427 
61,629 
564,056 

263,667 
42,608 
306,275 
$257,781 

89.1 
10.9 
100.0 

46.7 
7.6 
54.3 
45.7 

$695,289 
84,480 
779,769 

337,866 
79,634 
417,500 
$362,269 

89.2 
10.8 
100.0 

43.3 
10.2 
53.5 
46.5 

increase

(decrease) 

$192,862 
22,851 
215,713 

74,199 
37,026 
111,225 
$104,488 

%**

38.4
37.1
38.2

28.1 
86.9 
36.3 
40.5

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in product revenue, product cost of 
goods sold and product gross profit for the periods indicated:

Product revenue 
Product cost of goods sold 
Product gross profit 

2006 
$502,427 
263,667 
$238,760 

*  Denotes % of product revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

Fiscal year 

%* 
100.0 
52.5 
47.5 

2007 
$695,289 
337,866 
$357,423 

%* 
100.0 
48.6 
51.4 

increase

(decrease) 
$192,862 
74,199 
$118,663 

%**
38.4 
28.1 
49.7 

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in service revenue, service cost of 
goods sold and service gross profit (loss) for the periods indicated:

Service revenue 
Service cost of goods sold 
Service gross profit 

2006 
$61,629 
42,608 
$19,021 

*  Denotes % of service revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

Fiscal year 

%* 
100.0 
69.1 
30.9 

2007 
$84,480 
79,634 
$  4,846 

%* 
100.0 
94.3 
5.7 

increase

(decrease) 
$ 22,851 
37,026 
$(14,175) 

%**
37.1
86.9
(74.5)

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in distribution of revenue for the peri-
ods indicated:

Converged Ethernet  

infrastructure 
Ethernet access 
Global network services 
Total 

2006 

%* 

2007 

%* 

Fiscal year 

$420,567 
81,860 
61,629 
$564,056 

74.6 
14.5 
10.9 
100.0 

$645,159 
50,129 
84,481 
$779,769 

82.8 
6.4 
10.8 
100.0 

increase

(decrease) 

$224,592 
(31,731) 
22,852 
$215,713 

%**

53.4
(38.8)
37.1
38.2

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from sales to customers outside of the United States is reflected as International in the geographic distribu-
tion of revenue below. The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in geographic 
distribution of revenue for the periods indicated:

United States 
International 
Total 

2006 
$423,687 
140,369 
$564,056 

Fiscal year 

%* 
75.1 
24.9 
100.0 

2007 
$553,582 
226,187 
$779,769 

%* 
71.0 
29.0 
100.0 

increase

(decrease) 
$129,895 
85,818 
$215,713 

%**
30.7 
61.1 
38.2 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

Certain customers each accounted for at least 10% of our revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands, except 
percentage data) as follows:

Verizon 
Sprint 
AT&T 
Total 

2006 
$  70,225 
89,793 
66,926 
$226,944 

Fiscal year

%* 
12.4 
15.9 
11.9 
40.2 

2007 

N/A —

100,122 
196,924 
$297,046 

%*

12.8
25.3
38.1

N/A Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period
*  Denotes % of total revenue

Revenue

•	 Product revenue increased due to a $224.6 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infrastructure 
products. We believe that our converged Ethernet infrastructure revenue has benefitted from both increasing 
network capacity requirements and the transition to more efficient and economical network architectures. 
Increased product revenue for fiscal 2007 primarily reflects a $140.2 million increase in sales of core switching 
products, a $60.5 million increase in core transport and a $59.4 million increase of our CN 4200™ FlexSelect™ 
Advanced Service Platform. The decrease in Ethernet access product revenue reflects a $36.8 million reduction in 
sales of our CNX-5™ Broadband DSL System, which was negatively affected by customer consolidation activity.

•	 Service revenue increased primarily due to increases of $17.1 million in deployment service sales and $4.4 mil-
lion in maintenance and support services, reflecting increased sales volume and increased installation activity.

•	 United States revenue increased due to a $152.6 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infra-
structure products. This primarily reflects a $133.2 million increase in sales of core switching products, and a 
$40.0 million increase in core transport. United States revenue was also affected by a $31.9 million decrease of 
revenue from Ethernet access products.

•	

International revenue increased due to a $72.0 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infrastruc-
ture products. This primarily reflects a $53.3 million increase in sales of our CN 4200™ FlexSelect™ Advanced 
Service Platform and a $20.5 million increase in sales of core transport products. International revenue also 
reflects an increase of $13.7 million in service revenue, primarily related to deployment.

Gross profit

•	 Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased primarily due to product gross margin improvement off-

set by a significant reduction in services gross margin.

•	 Gross profit on products as a percentage of product revenue increased primarily due to favorable prod-
uct and customer mix, significant product cost reductions, improved manufacturing efficiencies, and lower 
warranty expense.

•	 Gross profit on services as a percentage of services revenue decreased significantly as a result of 

increased deployment overhead costs associated with the expansion of our internal resources related to deploy-
ment activities for international network infrastructure projects.

44  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expense
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in operating expense for the  
periods indicated:

Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Amortization of  

intangible assets 
Restructuring costs 
Recovery of doubtful  
  accounts, net 
Gain on lease settlement 
Total operating expenses 

2006 
$111,069 
104,434 
47,476 

25,181 
15,671 

(3,031) 
(11,648) 
$289,152 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

Fiscal year 

%* 
19.7 
18.5 
8.4 

4.5 
2.8 

(0.5) 
(2.1) 
51.3 

2007 
$127,296 
118,015 
50,262 

25,350 
(2,435) 

(14) 
(4,871) 
$313,603 

%* 
16.3 
15.1 
6.4 

3.3 
(0.3) 

— 
(0.6) 
40.2 

increase

(decrease) 
$ 16,227 
13,581 
2,786 

%**
14.6
13.0
5.9

169 
(18,106) 

0.7
(115.5)

3,017 
6,777 
$ 24,451 

(99.5)
(58.2)
8.5

•	 Research and development expense increased due to higher employee compensation cost of $10.9 million, 
primarily due to growth in headcount at our India development center. Other increases included $4.8 million in 
prototype expense, $1.2 million in facilities and information systems costs and $0.6 million in travel-related 
expenditures. This was partially offset by a decrease in consulting expense of $1.8 million.

•	 Selling and marketing expense increased primarily due a $9.4 million increase in employee compensation, 
which primarily reflects increased headcount in fiscal 2007. Other increases included $1.7 million in travel 
expense, $1.1 million in consulting, and $0.8 million in tradeshow activities.

•	 General and administrative expense increased due to an $8.6 million increase in employee compensation, 
which reflects a $3.2 million increase in stock compensation cost and increased headcount. This increase was 
partially offset by a $7.1 million reduction in legal expense. Legal expense for fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 
included $2.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, in costs associated with the settlement of patent litigation.

•	 Amortization of intangible assets costs increased slightly due to the purchase of certain developed technol-

ogy during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

•	 Restructuring costs during fiscal 2007 primarily reflect adjustments related to the return to use of previously 

restructured facilities. Restructuring costs during fiscal 2006 were primarily related to an adjustment of $10.0 mil-
lion due to changes in market conditions related to our former facilities in San Jose, CA. During fiscal 2006, we 
also recorded charges totaling $6.3 million related to the closure of our facilities in Kanata, Ontario, Shrewsbury, 
NJ and Beijing, China.

•	 Recovery of doubtful accounts, net during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 was related to our receipt of pay-

ment of amounts due from customers from whom payment was previously deemed doubtful due to their 
financial condition.

•	 Gain on lease settlement for fiscal 2007 was related to the termination of lease obligations for our former 
San Jose, CA facilities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we paid $53.0 million in connection with the 
settlement of this lease obligation. This transaction resulted in a gain on lease settlement of approximately 
$4.9 million by eliminating the remaining unfavorable lease commitment balance of $34.9 million and reduc-
ing our restructuring liabilities by $23.5 million, offset by approximately $0.5 million of other expenses. The 
gain during fiscal 2006 was related to the termination of the lease obligations for our former Freemont, CA 
and Cupertino, CA facilities.

45

 
 
 
 
 
Other items
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in other items for the periods indicated:

Interest and other  
income, net 
Interest expense 
Loss, other-than-temporary,  
  on marketable debt  
  securities 
Gain on equity  

2006 

$50,245 
$24,165 

$ 

  — 

investments, net 

$ 

  215 

Gain on extinguishment  
  of debt 
Provision for income taxes 

$  7,052 
$  1,381 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2006 to 2007

Fiscal year 

%* 

8.9 
4.3 

— 

— 

1.3 
0.2 

2007 

$76,483 
$26,996 

$13,013 

$ 

  592 

$ 
  — 
$  2,944 

%* 

9.8 
3.5 

1.7 

0.1 

— 
0.4 

increase

(decrease) 

$26,238 
$  2,831 

%**

52.2
11.7

$13,013 

100.0

$ 

  377 

175.3

$ (7,052) 
$  1,563 

(100.0)
113.2

•	

•	

Interest and other income, net increased in part due to higher average cash and investment balances result-
ing from the proceeds of our April 10, 2006 issuance of 0.25% convertible senior notes and our June 11, 2007 
issuance of 0.875% convertible senior notes, in part due to higher interest rates. We expect interest income to 
decrease as a result of our repayment of the remaining principal balance of $542.3 million on our 3.75% con-
vertible notes, which becomes due on February 1, 2008, and lower interest rates on investment balances.

Interest expense increased primarily due to interest associated with our April 10, 2006 issuance of 0.25% 
convertible senior notes and June 11, 2007 issuance of 0.875% convertible senior notes. We expect interest 
expense to decrease as a result of our repayment of the remaining principal balance of $542.3 million on our 
3.75% convertible notes, which becomes due on February 1, 2008.

•	 Loss, other-than-temporary for fiscal 2007 was the result of a realized loss of $13.0 million related to our 
marketable debt securities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we determined that declines in the fair 
value of our investments in certain commercial paper were other-than-temporary. This commercial paper was 
issued by SIV Portfolio plc (formerly known as Cheyne Finance plc) and Rhinebridge LLC, two structured invest-
ment vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receivership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and failed to make 
payment at maturity. Due to the mortgage-related assets that they hold, each of these entities has been 
exposed to adverse market conditions that have affected the value of their collateral and their ability to access 
short-term funding. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Investments” below for additional infor-
mation regarding this loss and our determination of the fair value of these investments at October 31, 2007.

•	 Gain on extinguishment of debt for fiscal 2006 resulted from our repurchase of $106.5 million of our out-
standing 3.75% convertible notes in open market transactions for $98.4 million. We recorded a gain on the 
extinguishment of debt in the amount of $7.1 million, which consists of the $8.1 million gain from the repur-
chase of the notes, less $1.0 million of associated debt issuance costs.

•	 Provision for income taxes was primarily attributable to foreign tax related to our foreign operations. We  
will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against all net deferred tax assets until sufficient evidence 
exists to support its reversal. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Deferred Tax Valuation 
Allowance” below for information relating to this valuation allowance and the conditions required for our 
release of the valuation allowance.

46  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
fiscal 2005 Compared to fiscal 2006

Revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in revenue, cost of goods sold and 
gross profit for the periods indicated:

Revenue:

Products 
Services 
Total revenue 
Costs:

Products 
Services 

Total cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 

2005 

%* 

2006 

%* 

Fiscal year 

$374,275 
52,982 
427,257 

248,931 
42,136 
291,067 
$136,190 

87.6 
12.4 
100.0 

58.2 
9.9 
68.1 
31.9 

$502,427 
61,629 
564,056 

263,667 
42,608 
306,275 
$257,781 

89.1 
10.9 
100.0 

46.7 
7.6 
54.3 
45.7 

increase

(decrease) 

$128,152 
8,647 
136,799 

14,736 
472 
15,208 
$121,591 

%**

34.2
16.3
32.0

5.9 
1.1 
5.2 
89.3

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in product revenue, product cost of 
goods sold and product gross profit for the periods indicated:

Product revenue 
Product cost of goods sold 
Product gross profit 

2005 
$374,275 
248,931 
$125,344 

*  Denotes % of product revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

Fiscal year 

%* 
100.0 
66.5 
33.5 

2006 
$502,427 
263,667 
$238,760 

%* 
100.0 
52.5 
47.5 

increase

(decrease) 
$128,152 
14,736 
$113,416 

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in service revenue, service cost of 
goods sold and service gross profit for the periods indicated:

Service revenue 
Service cost of goods sold 
Service gross profit 

2005 
$52,982 
42,136 
$10,846 

*  Denotes % of service revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

Fiscal year 

%* 
100.0 
79.5 
20.5 

2006 
$61,629 
42,608 
$19,021 

%* 
100.0 
69.1 
30.9 

increase

(decrease) 
$8,647 
472 
$8,175 

%**
34.2 
5.9 
90.5 

%**
16.3
1.1
75.4

The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in distribution of revenue for the peri-
ods indicated:

Converged Ethernet  

infrastructure 
Ethernet access 
Global network services 
Total 

2005 

%* 

2006 

%* 

Fiscal year 

$291,549 
82,726 
52,982 
$427,257 

68.2 
19.4 
12.4 
100.0 

$420,567 
81,860 
61,629 
$564,056 

74.6 
14.5 
10.9 
100.0 

increase

(decrease) 

$129,018 
(866) 
8,647 
$136,799 

%**

44.3 
(1.0)
16.3 
32.0 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue from sales to customers outside of the United States is reflected as International in the geographic distribu-
tion of revenue below. The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in geographic 
distribution of revenue for the periods indicated:

United States 
International 
Total 

2005 
$340,774 
86,483 
$427,257 

Fiscal year 

%* 
79.8 
20.2 
100.0 

2006 
$423,687 
140,369 
$564,056 

%* 
75.1 
24.9 
100.0 

increase

(decrease) 
$  82,913 
53,886 
$136,799 

%**
24.3
62.3
32.0

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

Certain customers each accounted for at least 10% of our revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands, except 
percentage data) as follows:

Verizon 
BellSouth 
SAIC 
Sprint 
AT&T 
Total 

2005 
$  43,673 
43,946 
46,058 
N/A 
N/A 
$133,677 

Fiscal year

%* 
10.2 
10.3 
10.8 
— 
— 
31.3 

2006 
$  70,225 

N/A —
N/A —

89,793 
66,926 
$226,944 

%*
12.4

15.9
11.9
40.2

N/A Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period
*  Denotes % of total revenue

Revenue

•	 Product revenue increased due to a $129.0 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infrastructure 
products. This primarily reflects a $48.3 million increase in sales from our CN 4200™ FlexSelect™ Advanced 
Services Platform introduced in the third quarter of fiscal 2005, a $43.7 million increase in sales from our core 
transport products and a $35.0 million increase in sales from our core switching products.

•	 Service revenue increased primarily due to a $4.6 million increase in sales of maintenance and support ser-
vices, a $2.2 million increase in sales of deployment services, and a $1.2 million increase in sales of product 
training services.

•	 United States revenue increased due to a $79.3 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infrastruc-
ture products. This increase primarily reflects a $38.1 million increase in sales from our core transport products, 
a $30.7 million increase in sales from our core switching products, and a $15.9 million increase from sales of 
our CN 4200™ FlexSelect™ Advanced Services Platform.

•	

International revenue increased due to a $49.7 million increase in sales of our converged Ethernet infrastruc-
ture products. This increase primarily reflects a $32.4 million increase in sales from our CN 4200™ FlexSelect™ 
Advanced Services Platform and a $17.3 million increase in sales from other transport and switching products.

Gross profit

•	 Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased largely due to increased sales volume, sales of higher 
margin products and cost improvements resulting from our efforts to employ a global approach to sourcing 
components and manufacturing our products.

•	 Gross profit on products as a percentage of product revenue increased primarily due to cost reductions 

and higher margin product mix.

•	 Gross profit on services as a percentage of services revenue increased primarily due to service rate stabil-

ity in connection with our deployment services and reduced service overhead and deployment costs.

48  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in operating expense for the  
periods indicated:

Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Amortization of  

intangible assets 
Restructuring costs 
Goodwill impairment 
Long-lived asset impairment 
Provision for (recovery of)  
  doubtful accounts, net 
Gain on lease settlement 
Total operating expenses 

2005 
$137,245 
115,022 
33,715 

38,782 
18,018 
176,600 
45,862 

2,602 
— 
$567,846 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

Fiscal year 

%* 
32.1 
26.9 
7.9 

9.1 
4.2 
41.3 
10.7 

0.6 
— 
132.8 

2006 
$111,069 
104,434 
47,476 

25,181 
15,671 
— 
— 

(3,031) 
(11,648) 
$289,152 

%* 
19.7 
18.5 
8.4 

4.5 
2.8 
— 
— 

(0.5) 
(2.1) 
51.3 

increase

(decrease) 
$  (26,176) 
(10,588) 
13,761 

(13,601) 
(2,347) 
(176,600) 
(45,862) 

(5,633) 
(11,648) 
$(278,694) 

%**
(19.1)
(9.2)
40.8 

(35.1)
(13.0)
(100.0)
(100.0)

(216.5)
N/A
(49.1)

•	 Research and development expense decreased primarily due to reductions of $12.3 million in employee 
compensation, $6.9 million in prototype expense and $6.3 million in depreciation expense. The reduction in 
employee compensation was driven by headcount reductions.

•	 Selling and marketing expense decreased due to reductions of $7.3 million in depreciation costs, $2.2 mil-
lion in product introduction and marketing activities, $2.0 million in facility and information systems expense, 
$1.7 million in temporary import costs and $0.8 million in travel. These reductions were slightly offset by 
increases of $2.3 million in employee compensation. Salaries, bonuses and commissions increased by $3.3 mil-
lion during fiscal 2006, offset by a reduction of $1.1 million in share-based compensation expense.

•	 General and administrative expense increased due to an increase of $6.5 million in legal expense, primarily 
related to our patent litigation with Nortel Networks, $5.9 million in employee compensation and $1.5 million 
in audit fees partially offset by a decrease of $0.5 million in directors and officers insurance expense. Included in 
the legal expenses were $5.7 million in contingent fees paid to outside counsel and advisors connected with the 
settlement of the Nortel litigation. The increase in employee compensation included an increase of $2.7 million 
in share-based compensation expense.

•	 Amortization of intangible assets decreased due to the write-off of intangible assets recorded in the fourth 

quarter of fiscal 2005.

•	 Restructuring costs incurred during fiscal 2006 were primarily related to a $10.0 million charge associated 
with previously restructured unused facilities located in San Jose, CA, and $6.3 million in charges related to 
workforce reductions of approximately 155 employees and costs associated with the closure of facilities located 
in Kanata, Canada; Shrewsbury, NJ and Beijing, China.

•	 Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts, net for fiscal 2006 was related to the receipt of amounts due 
from customers from whom payment was previously deemed doubtful due to the customers’ financial condition.

•	 Gain on lease settlement for fiscal 2006 was related to the termination of our obligations under the leases 

for our former Fremont, CA and Cupertino, CA facilities.

49

 
 
 
 
 
Other items
The table below (in thousands, except percentage data) sets forth the changes in other items for the periods indicated:

Interest and other  
income, net 
Interest expense 
Gain (loss) on equity  
investments, net 

Gain on extinguishment  
  of debt 
Provision for income taxes 

2005 

$31,294 
$28,413 

Fiscal year 

%* 

7.3 
6.7 

2006 

$50,245 
$24,165 

$ (9,486) 

(2.2) 

$ 

  215 

$  3,882 
$  1,320 

0.9 
0.3 

$  7,052 
$  1,381 

%* 

8.9 
4.3 

— 

1.3 
0.2 

increase

(decrease) 

$18,951 
$ (4,248) 

%**

60.6 
(15.0)

$  9,701 

(102.3)

$  3,170 
  61 
$ 

81.7 
4.6 

*  Denotes % of total revenue
**  Denotes % change from 2005 to 2006

•	

•	

Interest and other income, net increased primarily due to higher interest rates.

Interest expense decreased due to the repurchase of a portion of our outstanding 3.75% convertible notes 
during fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006.

•	 Loss on equity investments, net in fiscal 2005 was due to a decline in the value of our investments in pri-

vately held technology companies that was determined to be other-than-temporary.

•	 Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt for fiscal 2006 resulted from our repurchase of $106.5 million of our 
outstanding 3.75% convertible notes in open market transactions for $98.4 million. We recorded a gain on the 
extinguishment of debt in the amount of $7.1 million, which consists of the $8.1 million gain from the repur-
chase of the notes, less a write-off of $1.0 million of associated debt issuance costs.

•	 Provision for income taxes for fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006 was primarily attributable to foreign tax related to 
Ciena’s foreign operations. We did not record a tax benefit for domestic losses during fiscal 2005 or fiscal 2006. 
We will continue to maintain a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets until sufficient evidence 
exists to support its reversal. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Deferred Tax Valuation 
Allowance” below.

Liquidity and Capital resources
At October 31, 2007, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in mar-
ketable debt securities and cash from operations. The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents and 
investments in marketable debt securities (in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments in  
  marketable debt securities 
Long-term investments in  
  marketable debt securities 
Total cash and cash equivalents  
  and investments in marketable  
  debt securities 

october 31, 

2006 
$   220,164 

2007 
$   892,061 

increase

(decrease)
$ 671,897 

628,393 

822,185 

193,792 

351,407 

33,946 

(317,461)

$1,199,964 

$1,748,192 

$ 548,228

The increase in total cash and cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt securities at October 31, 2007 
was primarily related to the net proceeds of approximately $445.8 million from our June 11, 2007 issuance of 
0.875% convertible senior notes, our net income during fiscal 2007 and the effect of non-cash items described in 
“Operating Activities” below. Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that our cash and cash 

50  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
equivalents, investments in marketable debt securities and cash generated from operations will satisfy our working 
capital needs, capital expenditures and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations through at 
least the next 12 months. In anticipation of paying off the $542.3 million principal of our outstanding 3.75% convert-
ible notes at maturity on February 1, 2008, we have reallocated investments to increase our position in cash and cash 
equivalents and short-term investments in marketable debt securities.

Included in long-term investments in marketable debt securities at October 31, 2007 is approximately $33.9 million in 
investments in commercial paper issued by two SIVs that entered into receivership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 
2007 and failed to make payment at maturity. We realized a $13.0 million other-than-temporary loss related to this 
commercial paper in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Due to the mortgage-related assets that they hold, each of 
these entities has been exposed to adverse market conditions that have affected the value of their collateral and their 
ability to access short-term funding. These investments are no longer trading and have no readily determinable market 
value. Information and the markets relating to these investments remain dynamic, and there may be further declines 
in the value of these investments, the value of the collateral held by these entities and the liquidity of our investment. 
As a result, we may realize further reductions in the fair value of these investments, additional losses or a complete 
loss of these investments. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Investments” below for additional infor-
mation regarding this loss and our determination of the fair value of these investments at October 31, 2007.

The following sections review the significant activities that had an impact on our cash during fiscal 2007.

operating activities
The following tables set forth (in thousands) significant components of our $108.7 million of cash generated by oper-
ating activities for fiscal 2007:

Net income

Net income 

year ended october 31,

2007
$82,788

Our net income for fiscal 2007 included the significant non-cash items summarized in the following table (in thousands):

Non-cash loss on equity investments and marketable securities 
Depreciation of equipment, furniture and fixtures; and  
  amortization of leasehold improvements 
Share-based compensation costs 
Amortization of intangible assets 
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence 
Provision for warranty 
Total significant non-cash charges 

year ended october 31,

2007
$13,013

12,833
19,572
29,220
12,180
12,743
$99,561

Accounts Receivable, Net
Cash provided by accounts receivable, net decreased by $3.1 million from the end of fiscal 2006 to the end of fiscal 
2007. Our accounts receivable balance decreased due to a proportionately higher volume of shipments made early in 
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and higher sales to customers with shorter payment terms, primarily associated with 
our domestic revenue. Our days sales outstanding (“DSO”) decreased from 68 days for fiscal 2006 to 48 days for fis-
cal 2007.

51

 
 
 
 
The following table sets forth (in thousands) changes to our accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful 
accounts receivable, from the end of fiscal 2006 through the end of fiscal 2007:

Accounts receivable, net 

october 31, 

2006 
$107,172  

2007 
$104,078  

increase

(decrease)
$(3,094)

Inventory
Excluding the non-cash effect of a $12.2 million provision for excess and obsolescence, cash consumed by inventory 
for fiscal 2007 was $8.7 million. Ciena’s inventory turns increased from 2.5 for fiscal 2006 to 3.3 for fiscal 2007. The 
following table sets forth (in thousands) changes to the components of our inventory from the end of fiscal 2006 
through the end of fiscal 2007:

Raw materials 
Work-in-process 
Finished goods 
Gross inventory 
Provision for inventory excess  
  and obsolescence 
Inventory 

october 31, 

2006 
$  29,627 
9,156 
89,628 
128,411 

2007 
$  28,611 
4,123 
96,054 
128,788 

(22,326) 
$106,085 

(26,170) 
$102,618 

increase

(decrease)
$(1,016)
(5,033)
6,426 
377 

(3,844)
$(3,467)

Accounts payable
During fiscal 2007, we modified our standard vendor payment terms and payment practices from net 30 days to net 
45 days. This change contributed to an increase in our accounts payable balance of $16.1 million. The following table 
sets forth (in thousands) changes in our accounts payable from the end of fiscal 2006 through end of fiscal 2007:

Accounts payable 

october 31, 

2006 
$39,277 

2007 
$55,389 

increase

(decrease)
$16,112

Restructuring and unfavorable lease commitments
During fiscal 2007, we paid $24.0 million on leases related to restructured facilities and $5.6 million on leases associ-
ated with unfavorable lease commitments. Also, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we paid $53.0 million in 
connection with the settlement of our lease obligation related to previously restructured facilities in San Jose, CA. This 
transaction resulted in a gain on lease settlement of $4.9 million by eliminating our remaining unfavorable lease com-
mitment balance of $34.9 million and reducing our restructuring liabilities by $23.5 million, offset by approximately 
$0.5 million of other expenses. The following table reflects (in thousands) the balance of liabilities for our restructured 
facilities and unfavorable lease commitments and the change in these balances from the end of fiscal 2006 through 
the end of fiscal 2007:

Restructuring liabilities 
Unfavorable lease commitments 
Long-term restructuring liabilities 
Long-term unfavorable  
lease commitments 

Total restructuring liabilities and  
  unfavorable lease commitments 

october 31, 

2006 
$  8,914 
8,512 
26,720 

2007 
$1,026 
— 
3,662 

increase

(decrease)
$  (7,888)
(8,512)
(23,058)

32,785 

— 

(32,785)

$76,931 

$4,688 

$(72,243)

52  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest payable on Ciena’s convertible notes
Interest on Ciena’s outstanding 3.75% convertible notes, due February 1, 2008, is payable on February 1 and August 1 
of each year. Ciena paid $20.3 million in interest on the 3.75% convertible notes during fiscal 2007.

Interest on Ciena’s outstanding 0.25% convertible senior notes, due May 1, 2013, is payable on May 1 and November 1 
of each year, commencing on November 1, 2006. Ciena paid $1.2 million in interest on the 0.25% convertible notes 
during fiscal 2007.

Interest on Ciena’s outstanding 0.875% convertible senior notes, due June 15, 2017, is payable on June 15 and 
December 15 of each year, commencing on December 15, 2007.

The indentures governing our outstanding convertible notes do not contain any financial covenants. The indentures 
provide for customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants, failure to pay certain 
judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If an event of default occurs and is con-
tinuing, the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, may be declared immediately due 
and payable. These amounts automatically become due and payable if an event of default relating to certain events of 
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs. For additional information about our convertible notes, see Note 11 
to our financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this report.

The following table reflects (in thousands) the balance of interest payable and the change in this balance from the end 
of fiscal 2006 through the end of fiscal 2007.

Accrued interest payable 

october 31, 

2006 
$5,502 

2007 
$6,998 

increase

(decrease)
$1,496

Deferred revenue
During fiscal 2007, deferred revenue increased by $23.0 million. The increase in product deferred revenue was primar-
ily due to an increase in payments received in advance of shipment, and also reflects payments received in advance of 
our ability to recognize revenue. The increase in service deferred revenue is related to payment for service contracts 
that will be recognized over the contract term. The following table reflects (in thousands) the balance of deferred rev-
enue and the change in this balance from the end of fiscal 2006 through the end of fiscal 2007:

Products 
Services 
Total deferred revenue 

october 31, 

2006 
$  4,276 
36,400 
$40,676 

2007 
$13,208 
50,432 
$63,640 

increase

(decrease)
$  8,932
14,032
$22,964

financing activities
On June 11, 2007, we completed a $500.0 million public offering of 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 
2017. This offering resulted in net proceeds of approximately $445.8 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, 
expenses and $42.5 million we used to purchase a call spread option on our common stock. The call spread option is 
intended to mitigate our exposure to potential dilution from the conversion of the notes. We expect to use the net 
proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, which may include the repurchase or repayment at maturity 
of our outstanding 3.75% convertible notes. The remaining principal balance on our outstanding 3.75% convertible 
notes of $542.3 million becomes due and payable on February 1, 2008. Cash provided by financing activities during 
fiscal 2007 also includes $36.8 million related to the exercise of employee stock options and participation in our 
employee stock purchase plan.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual obligations
The following is a summary of our future minimum payments under contractual obligations as of October 31, 2007 
(in thousands):

Convertible notes(1) 
Operating leases(2)  
Purchase obligations(3) 
Total 

total 
$1,400,389 
71,590 
135,794 
$1,607,773 

Less than 
one year 
$557,639 
13,744 
135,794 
$707,177 

one to 
three years 
$10,250 
21,338 
— 
$31,588 

three to 
five years 
$10,250 
15,634 
— 
$25,884 

thereafter
$822,250 
20,874 
—
$843,124

(1)  $542.3 million in outstanding principal balance on our 3.75% convertible notes becomes due and payable on February 1, 2008.
(2)  The amount for operating leases above does not include insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs required by the applicable operating lease. 

These costs are variable and are not expected to have a material impact.

(3)  Purchase obligations relate to purchase order commitments to our contract manufacturers and component suppliers for inventory. In certain 

instances, we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a portion of the amount reported above relates to firm, 
non-cancelable and unconditional obligations.

Some of our commercial commitments, including some of the future minimum payments set forth above, are secured 
by standby letters of credit. The following is a summary of our commercial commitments secured by standby letters of 
credit by commitment expiration date as of October 31, 2007 (in thousands):

Standby letters of credit  

total 
$21,916 

Less than 
one year 
$3,392 

one to 
three years 
$18,359 

three to 
five years 
$165 

thereafter
$—

off-Balance Sheet arrangements
Ciena does not engage in any off-balance sheet financing arrangements. In particular, we do not have any equity inter-
ests in so-called limited purpose entities, which include special purpose entities (SPEs) and structured finance entities.

Critical accounting policies and estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect 
the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expense, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabili-
ties. By their nature, these estimates and judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. On an ongoing 
basis, we reevaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, investments, intangible assets, 
goodwill, income taxes, warranty obligations, restructuring, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates 
on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. 
Among other things, these estimates form the basis for judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities 
that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different 
assumptions or conditions. To the extent that there are material differences between our estimates and actual results, 
our consolidated financial statements will be affected.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies reflect those areas where significant judgments and esti-
mates are used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” (SAB 104) 
which states that revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evi-
dence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price to the buyer is fixed 
or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Customer purchase agreements and customer purchase 
orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Shipping documents and customer accep-
tance, when applicable, are used to verify delivery. We assess whether the fee is fixed or determinable based on the 
payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to refund or adjustment. We 

54  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
assess collectibility based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer as determined by credit checks and analy-
sis, as well as the customer’s payment history. In instances where final acceptance of the product, system, or solution 
is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met. Revenue for maintenance 
services is generally deferred and recognized ratably over the period during which the services are to be performed.

Some of our communications networking equipment is integrated with software that is essential to the functionality 
of the equipment. Accordingly, we account for revenue in accordance with Statement of Position No. 97-2, “Software 
Revenue Recognition,” (SOP 97-2) and all related interpretations. SOP 97-2 incorporates additional guidance unique 
to software arrangements incorporated with general accounting guidance, such as, revenue is recognized when per-
suasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is 
probable. In instances where final acceptance of the product is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all 
acceptance criteria have been met.

Arrangements with customers may include multiple deliverables, including any combination of equipment, services 
and software. If multiple element arrangements include software or software related elements, we apply the provi-
sions of SOP 97-2 to determine the amount of the arrangement fee to be allocated to those separate units of 
accounting. Multiple element arrangements that include software are separated into more than one unit of account-
ing if the functionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s), there is 
vendor-specific objective evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element(s), and general revenue recognition cri-
teria related to the delivered element(s) have been met. The amount of product and service revenue recognized is 
affected by our judgments as to whether an arrangement includes multiple elements and, if so, whether vendor- 
specific objective evidence of fair value exists. Changes to the elements in an arrangement and our ability to establish 
vendor-specific objective evidence for those elements could affect the timing of revenue recognition. For all other 
deliverables, we apply the provisions of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with 
Multiple Deliverables,” (EITF 00-21). EITF 00-21 allows for separation of elements into more than one unit of account-
ing if the delivered element(s) have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, objective and reliable evidence of 
fair value exists for the undelivered element(s), and delivery of the undelivered element(s) is probable and substantially 
within our control. Revenue is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the relative fair value of each accounting 
unit or using the residual method if objective evidence of fair value does not exist for the delivered element(s). The 
revenue recognition criteria described above is applied to each separate unit of accounting. If these criteria are not 
met, revenue is deferred until the criteria are met or the last element has been delivered.

Our total deferred revenue for products was $4.3 million and $13.2 million as of October 31, 2006 and 2007, respec-
tively. Our service revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the period during which the services are to be 
performed. Our total deferred revenue for services was $36.4 million and $50.4 million as of October 31, 2006 and 
2007, respectively.

share-based Compensation
On November 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS 123(R), “Share-Based Payments,” as interpreted by SAB 107, which requires 
the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair values. 
SFAS 123(R) requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant. Share-based 
compensation expense recognized in our consolidated statement of operations includes compensation expense for 
share-based awards granted (i) prior to, but not yet vested as of October 31, 2005, based on the grant date fair value 
estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123, and (ii) subsequent to October 31, 2005, based on the grant 
date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R), as interpreted by SAB 107.

We estimate the fair value of each option-based award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing 
model. This option pricing model requires that we make several estimates, including the option’s expected life and the 
price volatility of the underlying stock. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average 
period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding. Because we consider our options to be “plain vanilla,” we 
calculate the expected life using the simplified method as prescribed in SAB 107. Under SAB 107, options are considered 

55

to be “plain vanilla” if they have the following basic characteristics: granted “at-the-money”; exerciseability is condi-
tioned upon service through the vesting date; termination of service prior to vesting results in forfeiture; limited exercise 
period following termination of service; and options are non-transferable and non-hedgeable. We consider the implied 
volatility and historical volatility of our stock price in determining our expected volatility, and, finding both to be equally 
reliable, have determined that a combination of both measures would result in the best estimate of expected volatility. 
The estimated fair value of option-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized as stock-based compensa-
tion expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

We estimate the fair value of our restricted stock unit awards based on the fair value of our common stock on the 
date of grant. Our outstanding restricted stock unit awards are subject to service-based vesting conditions and/or 
performance-based vesting conditions. The estimated fair value of service-based awards, net of estimated forfei-
tures, is recognized as share-based expense ratably over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Awards with 
performance-based vesting conditions require the achievement of certain company-based, financial or other perfor-
mance criteria or targets as a condition to the vesting, or acceleration of vesting, of such awards. The estimated fair 
value of performance-based awards, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized as share-based expense over the per-
formance period, using graded vesting, which considers each performance period or tranche separately, and based 
upon our determination of whether it is probable that the performance targets will be achieved. At each reporting 
period, we reassess the probability of achieving the performance targets and the performance period required to 
meet those targets. Determining whether the performance targets will be achieved involves judgment, and the esti-
mate of expense may be revised periodically based on the probability of achieving the performance targets. Revisions 
are reflected in the period in which the estimate is changed. If any performance goals are not met, no compensation 
cost is ultimately recognized and, to the extent previously recognized, compensation cost is reversed.

No tax benefits were attributed to the share-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was 
maintained for all net deferred tax assets.

Because share-based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, the amount of 
expense takes into account estimated forfeitures. SFAS 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant 
and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Changes in these esti-
mates and assumptions can materially affect the measure of estimated fair value of our share-based compensation. 
See Note 15 to our financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information regarding our treatment of 
share-based compensation.

Reserve for Inventory obsolescence
We make estimates about future customer demand for our products when establishing the appropriate reserve for 
excess and obsolete inventory. We write down inventory that has become obsolete or unmarketable by an amount 
equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about 
future demand and market conditions. Inventory write downs are a component of our product cost of goods sold. 
Upon recognition of the write down, a new lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes 
in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that newly established cost basis. We 
recorded charges for excess and obsolete inventory of $12.2 million, $9.0 million, and $5.2 million in fiscal 2007, 
2006 and 2005 respectively. These charges were primarily related to excess inventory due to a change in forecasted 
sales for certain of our products. In an effort to limit our exposure to delivery delays and to satisfy customer needs we 
purchase inventory based on forecasted sales across our product lines. In addition, part of our research and develop-
ment strategy is to promote the convergence of similar features and functionalities across our product lines. Each of 
these practices exposes us to an increased risk that our customers will not order those products for which we have 
forecasted sales, or will purchase less than we have forecasted. Historically, we have experienced write downs due to 
changes in strategic direction, discontinuance of a product and declines in market conditions. If actual market condi-
tions differ from those we have assumed, if there is a sudden and significant decrease in demand for our products, or 
if there is a higher incidence of inventory obsolescence due to a rapid change in technology, we may be required to 
take additional inventory write-downs and our gross margin could be adversely affected.

56  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Restructuring
As part of our restructuring costs, we provide for the estimated cost of the net lease expense for facilities that are  
no longer being used. The provision is equal to the fair value of the minimum future lease payments under our con-
tracted lease obligations, offset by the fair value of the estimated sublease payments that we may receive. As of 
October 31, 2007, our accrued restructuring liability related to net lease expense and other related charges was  
$4.7 million. The total minimum lease payments for these restructured facilities are $21.8 million. These lease pay-
ments will be made over the remaining lives of our leases, which range from three months to eleven years. If actual 
market conditions are different than those we have projected, we are required to recognize additional restructuring 
costs or benefits associated with these facilities. During fiscal 2006, we recognized net adjustments resulting in 
restructuring costs of $9.2 million, which included a $10.0 million adjustment during the third quarter of fiscal 2006 
relating to our unused San Jose, CA facilities. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we paid $53 million in con-
nection with the settlement of our lease obligation related to previously restructured facilities in San Jose, CA. This 
transaction resulted in a gain on lease settlement of $4.9 million by eliminating our remaining unfavorable lease 
commitment balance of $34.9 million and reducing our restructuring liabilities by $23.5 million, offset by approxi-
mately $0.5 million of other expenses.

allowance for Doubtful accounts
Our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on management’s assessment, on a specific identification 
basis, of the collectibility of customer accounts. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and gener-
ally have not required collateral or other forms of security from customers. In determining the appropriate balance for 
our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, management considers each individual customer account receivable 
in order to determine collectability. In doing so, management considers creditworthiness, payment history, account 
activity and communication with such customer. If a customer’s financial condition changes, or if actual defaults are 
higher than our historical experience, we may be required to take a charge for an allowance for doubtful accounts 
receivable which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

Goodwill
As of October 31, 2007, our consolidated balance sheet included $232.0 million in goodwill. This amount primarily 
represents the remaining excess of the total purchase price of our acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets 
acquired. In accordance with SFAS 142, we test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, which we have 
determined to be the last business day of fiscal September each year, and between annual tests if an event occurs or 
circumstances change that would, more likely than not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying 
value. There was no impairment of goodwill in fiscal 2007 or 2006. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we incurred a 
goodwill impairment charge of approximately $176.6 million. If actual industry or market conditions change or our 
forecasts change at the time of our annual assessment or in periods prior to our annual assessment, we may be 
required to record additional goodwill impairment charges. Such charges would have the effect of decreasing our 
earnings or increasing our losses in such period.

Intangible assets
As of October 31, 2007, our consolidated balance sheet included $67.1 million in other intangible assets, net. We 
account for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets such as equipment, furniture, fixtures, and other intan-
gible assets in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 144. In accordance with SFAS 144, we test each intangible 
asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not 
be recoverable. Valuation of our intangible assets requires us to make assumptions about future sales prices and 
sales volumes for our products that involve new technologies and uncertainties around customer acceptance of new 
products. If actual market conditions differ or our forecasts change, we may be required to record additional impair-
ment charges in future periods. Such charges would have the effect of decreasing our earnings or increasing our 
losses in such period.

57

Investments
We have an investment portfolio comprised of marketable debt securities including short-term commercial paper, cer-
tificates of deposit, corporate bonds, asset-backed obligations and U.S. government obligations. The value of these 
securities is subject to market volatility for the period we hold these investments and until their sale or maturity. We 
recognize realized losses when declines in the fair value of our investments, below their cost basis, are judged to be 
other-than-temporary. In determining whether a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, we consider various fac-
tors including market price (when available), investment ratings, the financial condition and near-term prospects of 
the investee, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis, and our 
intent and ability to hold the investment until maturity or for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated 
recovery in market value. We make significant judgments in considering these factors. If it is judged that a decline in 
fair value is other-than-temporary, the investment is valued at the current fair value and a realized loss equal to the 
decline is reflected in net income, which could materially adversely affect our operating results.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we determined that declines in the estimated fair value of our investments in 
certain commercial paper were other-than-temporary. This commercial paper was issued by SIV Portfolio plc (formerly 
known as Cheyne Finance plc) and Rhinebridge LLC, two structured investment vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receiv-
ership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and failed to make payment at maturity. Due to the mortgage-related 
assets that they hold, each of these entities has been exposed to adverse market conditions that have affected the 
value of their collateral and their ability to access short-term funding. We purchased these investments in the third 
quarter of fiscal 2007 and, at the time of purchase, each investment had a rating of A1+ by Standard and Poor’s and 
P-1 by Moody’s, their highest ratings respectively. These investments are no longer trading and have no readily deter-
minable market value. We have reviewed current investment ratings, valuation estimates of the underlying collateral, 
company specific news and events, and general economic conditions in considering the fair value of these investments. 
In estimating fair value, we used a valuation approach based on a liquidation of assets held by each SIV and their sub-
sequent distribution of cash. We utilized assessments of the underlying collateral from multiple indicators of value, 
which were then discounted to reflect the expected timing of disposition and market risks. Based on this assessment of 
fair value, as of October 31, 2007, we recognized realized losses of $13.0 million related to these investments. Giving 
effect to these losses, our investment portfolio at October 31, 2007 included an estimated fair value of $33.9 million in 
commercial paper issued by these entities. See Note 4 to the financial statements included as Item 8 of Part II of this 
report. Information and the markets relating to these investments remain dynamic and there may be further declines in 
the value of these investments, the value of the collateral held by these entities and the liquidity of our investments. To 
the extent we determine that a further decline in fair value is other-than-temporary, we may recognize additional real-
ized losses in future periods up to the aggregate amount of these investments. We are not aware of any other of our 
marketable debt securities that have experienced a similar decline in fair value. Our investments are subject to general 
credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which may be exacerbated by U.S. sub-prime mortgage defaults that 
have affected various sectors of the financial markets and caused credit and liquidity issues.

As of October 31, 2007 our marketable debt investments had unrealized losses of $0.1 million. These gross unrealized 
losses were primarily due to changes in interest rates. Management has determined that the gross unrealized losses 
on our marketable debt investments at October 31, 2007, are temporary in nature because we have the ability and 
intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity.

As of October 31, 2007, our minority investments in privately held technology companies, reported in other assets, 
were $6.7 million. These investments are generally carried at cost because we own less than 20% of the voting equity 
and do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over any of these companies. These investments are inher-
ently high risk. The markets for technologies or products manufactured by these companies are usually early stage at 
the time of our investment and such markets may never materialize or become significant. We could lose our entire 
investment in some or all of these companies. We monitor these investments for impairment and make appropriate 
reductions in carrying values when necessary. If market conditions, the expected financial performance, or the com-
petitive position of the companies in which we invest deteriorate, we may be required to record a charge in future 
periods due to impairment in their value.

58  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Deferred Tax Valuation allowance
As of October 31, 2007, we have recorded a valuation allowance fully offsetting gross deferred tax assets of $1.2 bil-
lion. We calculated the valuation allowance in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income 
Taxes,” which requires an assessment of both positive and negative evidence regarding the realizability of these 
deferred tax assets, when measuring the need for a valuation allowance. We record a valuation allowance to reduce 
our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In determining net deferred tax 
assets and valuation allowances, management is required to make judgments and estimates related to projections of 
profitability, the timing and extent of the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, applicable tax rates, transfer 
pricing methodologies and tax planning strategies. The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly and is maintained 
until sufficient positive evidence exists to support the reversal. Because evidence such as our operating results during 
the most recent three-year period is afforded more weight than forecasted results for future periods, our cumulative 
loss during this three-year period represents sufficient negative evidence regarding the need for a full valuation allow-
ance under SFAS 109. We will release this valuation allowance when management determines that it is more likely 
than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized. If we are able to sustain a meaningful level of profitability in 
future periods, and forecast sufficient earnings for periods thereafter, we may be required to release a significant por-
tion of the valuation allowance. Any future release of valuation allowance will be recorded as a tax benefit increasing 
net income, an adjustment to acquisition intangibles, or an adjustment to paid-in capital. Because we expect our 
recorded tax rate to increase in subsequent periods following a release of the valuation allowance, our net income 
would be affected in periods following the release. Any valuation allowance release will not affect the amount of cash 
paid for income taxes

Warranty
Our liability for product warranties, included in other accrued liabilities, was $33.6 million as of October 31, 2007. 
Our products are generally covered by a warranty for periods ranging from one to five years. We accrue for warranty 
costs as part of our cost of goods sold based on associated material costs, technical support labor costs, and associ-
ated overhead. Material cost is estimated based primarily upon historical trends in the volume of product returns 
within the warranty period and the cost to repair or replace the equipment. Technical support labor cost is estimated 
based primarily upon historical trends and the cost to support the customer cases within the warranty period. The 
provision for product warranties was $12.7 million, $14.5 million, and $9.7 million in fiscal 2007, 2006 and 2005 
respectively. The provision for warranty claims may fluctuate on a quarterly basis depending upon the mix of products 
and customers in that period. If actual product failure rates, material replacement costs, service or labor costs differ 
from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty provision would be required. An increase in warranty claims or 
the related costs associated with satisfying these warranty obligations could increase our cost of sales and negatively 
affect our gross margin.

loss Contingencies
We are subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. These may relate to dis-
putes, litigation and other legal actions. We consider the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability, as well as 
our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. A loss is accrued when it is 
probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate 
current information available to us to determine whether any accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals 
are required.

effects of recent accounting pronouncements
See Note 1 to our financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information relating to our discus-
sion of the effects of recent accounting pronouncements.

59

unaudited Quarterly results of operations
The tables below (in thousands, except per share data) set forth the operating results represented by certain items in 
our statements of operations for each of the eight quarters in the period ended October 31, 2007. This information is 
unaudited, but in our opinion reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that we con-
sider necessary for a fair statement of such information in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.

Jan. 31, 
2006 

apr. 30, 
2006 

Jul. 31, 
2006 

oct. 31, 
2006 

Jan. 31, 
2007 

apr. 30, 
2007 

Jul. 31, 
2007 

oct. 31, 
2007

Revenue:

Products 
Services 
Total Revenue 
Costs:

Products 
Services 

Total cost of goods sold 
Gross profit 
Operating expenses:
Research and  
  development 
Selling and marketing 
General and  
  administrative 
Amortization of  

intangible assets 
Restructuring costs 
Long lived asset  
impairment 
Gain on lease  
  settlement 
Recovery of (provision  

for) doubtful  
  accounts, net 

Total operating expenses 
Income (loss) from  
  operations 
Interest and other  
income, net 
Interest expense 
Gain (loss) on equity  
investments, net 

Loss, other than  
temporary, on  
  marketable debt  

investments 

Gain on extinguishment  
  of debt 
Income (loss) before  

income taxes 

Provision for income tax 
Net income (loss) 
Basic net income (loss)  
  per common share 
Diluted net income (loss)  
  per dilutive potential  
  common share 
Weighted average basic  
  common shares 
Weighted average  
  dilutive potential  
  common shares 

60  Ciena Corporation 10-K

$105,941  $117,208  $137,809  $141,469  $146,282  $173,212  $182,143  $193,652
22,538
216,190

20,315 
193,527 

22,808 
204,951 

18,483 
159,952 

18,819 
165,101 

14,489 
120,430 

14,690 
152,499 

13,967 
131,175 

60,399 
9,576 
69,975 
50,455 

58,957 
9,312 
68,269 
62,906 

70,356 
10,479 
80,835 
71,664 

73,955 
13,241 
87,196 
72,756 

74,979 
16,494 
91,473 
73,628 

91,319 
20,378 
111,697 
81,830 

84,383 
22,903 
107,286 
97,665 

87,185
19,859
107,044
109,146

29,462 
26,572 

28,856 
26,657 

26,190 
24,903 

26,561 
26,302 

29,853 
24,875 

31,642 
30,182 

31,671 
30,303 

34,130
32,655

9,896 

11,246 

16,217 

10,117 

10,301 

11,707 

14,564 

13,690

6,295 
2,015 

6,295 
3,014 

6,295 
11,008 

6,296 
(366) 

6,295 
(466) 

6,295 
(734) 

6,295 
(1,196) 

6,465
(39)

(3) 

(3) 

(6,020) 

(5,628) 

— 

— 

6 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

—

(4,871)

(2,604) 
65,613 

(247) 
70,190 

(139) 
84,474 

(41) 
68,875 

(10) 
70,848 

— 
79,092 

— 
81,637 

(4)
82,026

(15,158) 

(7,284) 

(12,810) 

3,881 

2,780 

2,738 

16,028 

27,120

9,262 
(6,053) 

11,197 
(5,815) 

14,045 
(6,148) 

15,741 
(6,149) 

14,845 
(6,148) 

16,897 
(6,148) 

19,464 
(6,931) 

25,277
(7,769)

(733) 

— 

948 

— 

— 

— 

592 

—

— 

6,690 

— 

362 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(13,013)

— 

—

(5,992) 
299 

31,615
1,205
$   (6,291)  $   (1,910)  $   (4,285)  $  13,081  $  11,056  $  13,010  $  28,312  $  30,410

13,473 
392 

29,153 
841 

13,487 
477 

(1,540) 
370 

(3,965) 
320 

11,477 
421 

$ 

 (0.08)  $ 

 (0.02)  $ 

 (0.05)  $ 

  0.15  $ 

  0.13  $ 

  0.15  $ 

  0.33  $ 

  0.35

$ 

 (0.08)  $ 

 (0.02)  $ 

 (0.05)  $ 

  0.14  $ 

  0.12  $ 

  0.14  $ 

  0.29  $ 

  0.30

82,967 

83,518 

84,197 

84,657 

84,953 

85,198 

85,651 

86,241

82,967 

83,518 

84,197 

93,146 

93,259 

93,737 

101,568 

108,812

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
item 7a.   QuantitatiVe anD QuaLitatiVe DiSCLoSureS aBout 

marKet riSK

The following discussion about our market risk disclosures involves forward-looking statements. Actual results could 
differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We are exposed to market risk related to 
changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We do not use derivative financial instruments for spec-
ulative or trading purposes.

Interest Rate Sensitivity. We maintain a short-term and long-term investment portfolio. See Note 4 to the financial 
statements in Item 8 of Part II of this report for information relating to the fair value of these investments. These 
available-for-sale securities are subject to interest rate risk and will fall in value if market interest rates increase. If 
market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by 10% from levels at October 31, 2007, the fair 
value of the portfolio would decline by approximately $24.1 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk. As a global concern, we face exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency 
exchange rates. Because our sales are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, the impact of foreign currency fluctua-
tions on sales has not been material. Our primary exposures are related to non-U.S. dollar denominated operating 
expense in Canada, Europe, India and China. During fiscal 2007, approximately 77% of our operating expense was 
U.S. dollar denominated. As of October 31, 2007, our assets and liabilities related to non-dollar denominated curren-
cies were primarily related to intercompany payables and receivables. We do not expect an increase or decrease of 
10% in the foreign exchange rate would have a material impact on our financial position. To date, we have not sig-
nificantly hedged against foreign currency fluctuations. Should exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency become 
more significant, however, we may pursue hedging alternatives.

item 8.   FinanCiaL StatementS anD SuppLementary Data
The following is an index to the consolidated financial statements:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
Consolidated Statements of Operations 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

page  
number
62
63
64
65
66
67

61

 
 
report oF inDepenDent regiStereD puBLiC aCCounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Ciena Corporation:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in 
all material respects, the financial position of Ciena Corporation and its subsidiaries at October 31, 2007 and 2006, 
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended October 31, 
2007 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, 
the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 
2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial 
statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effective-
ness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accor-
dance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require 
that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts 
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial 
reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a 
material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based 
on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the cir-
cumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it 
accounts for share-based compensation in fiscal year 2006.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding 
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those 
policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transac-
tions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with 
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding preven-
tion or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a 
material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstate-
ments. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls 
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
McLean, Virginia 
December 27, 2007

62  Ciena Corporation 10-K

ConSoLiDateD BaLanCe SHeetS

(in thousands, except share data) 
ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents 
Short-term investments 
Accounts receivable, net 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other 

Total current assets 
Long-term investments 
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net 
Goodwill 
Other intangible assets, net 
Other long-term assets 

Total assets 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable 
Accrued liabilities 
Restructuring liabilities 
Unfavorable lease commitments 
Income taxes payable 
Deferred revenue 
Convertible notes payable 
Total current liabilities 

Long-term deferred revenue 
Long-term restructuring liabilities 
Long-term unfavorable lease commitments 
Other long-term obligations 
Convertible notes payable 

Total liabilities 

Commitments and contingencies 
Stockholders’ equity: 

october 31,

2006 

2007

$  220,164 
628,393 
107,172 
106,085 
36,372 
1,098,186 
351,407 
29,427 
232,015 
91,274 
37,404 
$ 1,839,713 

$ 

   39,277 
79,282 
8,914 
8,512 
5,981 
19,637 
— 
161,603 
21,039 
26,720 
32,785 
1,678 
842,262 
1,086,087 

$  892,061
822,185
104,078
102,618
47,817
1,968,759
33,946
46,671
232,015
67,144
67,738
$ 2,416,273

$ 

   55,389
90,922
1,026
—
7,768
33,025
542,262
730,392
30,615
3,662
—
1,450
800,000
1,566,119

Preferred stock—par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized;  
  zero shares issued and outstanding 
Common stock—par value $0.01; 140,000,000 shares authorized;  
  84,891,656 and 86,752,069 shares issued and outstanding 
Additional paid-in capital 
Changes in unrealized gains on investments, net 
Translation adjustment 
Accumulated deficit 

Total stockholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

— 

—

849 
5,505,853 
(496) 
(580) 
(4,752,000) 
753,626 
$ 1,839,713 

868
5,519,741
350
(1,593)
(4,669,212)
850,154
$ 2,416,273

63

 
ConSoLiDateD StatementS oF operationS

(in thousands, except per share data) 
Revenue:

Products 
Services 
Total revenue 
Costs:

Products 
Services 

Total cost of goods sold 
Gross profit  

Operating expenses:

Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Amortization of intangible assets 
Restructuring costs 
Goodwill impairment 
Long-lived asset impairment 
Gain on lease settlement 
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts 

Total operating expenses 
Income (loss) from operations 
Interest and other income (expense), net 
Interest expense 
Loss, other than temporary, on marketable debt investments 
Gain on extinguishment of debt 
Gain (loss) on equity investments, net 
Income (loss) before income taxes 
Provision for income taxes 
Net income (loss) 
Basic net income (loss) per common share 
Diluted net income (loss) per dilutive potential common share 
Weighted average basic common shares 
Weighted average dilutive potential common shares 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

year ended october 31,

2005 

2006 

2007

$ 374,275 
52,982 
427,257 

248,931 
42,136 
291,067 
136,190 

137,245 
115,022 
33,715 
38,782 
18,018 
176,600 
45,862 
— 
2,602 
567,846 
(431,656) 
31,294 
(28,413) 
— 
3,882 
(9,486) 
(434,379) 
1,320 
$(435,699) 
   (5.30) 
$ 
   (5.30) 
$ 
82,170 
82,170 

$502,427 
61,629 
564,056 

263,667 
42,608 
306,275 
257,781 

111,069 
104,434 
47,476 
25,181 
15,671 
— 
— 
(11,648) 
(3,031) 
289,152 
(31,371) 
50,245 
(24,165) 
— 
7,052 
215 
1,976 
1,381 
  595 
   0.01 
   0.01 
83,840 
85,011 

$ 
$ 
$ 

$695,289 
84,480 
779,769 

337,866 
79,634 
417,500 
362,269 

127,296 
118,015 
50,262 
25,350 
(2,435)
— 
— 
(4,871)
(14)
313,603 
48,666 
76,483 
(26,996)
(13,013)
— 
592 
85,732 
2,944 
$  82,788 
   0.97 
$ 
   0.87 
$ 
85,525 
99,604 

64  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
ConSoLiDateD StatementS oF CHangeS in StoCKHoLDerS’ eQuity

Common 
Stock 
Shares 

additional 
paid-in 
Capital 

par 
Value 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

(2,044) 

— 
829 
— 

— 
— 
— 
12 
— 

— 
5,494,587 
— 

— 
— 
— 
9,546 
10 

(in thousands, except share data) 
Balance at October 31, 2004   81,665,237  $817  $5,487,075 
Net loss 
— 
Changes in unrealized gains  
  on investments, net 
Translation adjustment 
Comprehensive loss 
Exercise of stock options, net 
Unearned stock compensation 
Deferred stock  
  compensation costs 
Forfeiture of unearned  
  stock compensation 
Reduction of receivables  
from stockholders 

— 
— 
— 
1,240,612 
— 

— 
— 
— 
1,985,807 
— 

— 
Balance at October 31, 2005   82,905,849 
— 
Net income 
Changes in unrealized gains  
  on investments, net 
Translation adjustment 
Comprehensive income 
Exercise of stock options, net 
Stock compensation expense 
Removal of opening deferred  
  stock compensation  
  balance upon adoption  
— 
  of SFAS 123(R) 
Purchase of call spread option 
— 
Balance at October 31, 2006   84,891,656 
Net income 
— 
Changes in unrealized gains  
  on investments, net 
— 
Translation adjustment 
— 
Comprehensive income 
— 
Exercise of stock options, net 
36,816 
Stock compensation expense 
19,572 
Exercise of warrant 
— 
(42,500) 
Purchase of call spread option 
Balance at October 31, 2007   86,752,069  $868  $5,519,741 

— 
— 
— 
1,847,455 
— 
12,958 
— 

(2,286) 
(28,457) 
5,505,853 
— 

— 
— 
— 
27,967 
14,042 

— 
— 
— 
19 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
849 
— 

— 
— 
— 
20 
— 

accumu- 

receivable  lated 
Deferred  notes  other 

Stock 

from  Compre- 
Compen-  Stock-  hensive 
sation  holders  income 

accumu- 
lated 
Deficit 

total 
Stock- 
holders’ 
equity

$(13,761)  $(48)  $(2,765)  $(4,316,896)  $1,154,422 
(435,699)

—  — 

(435,699) 

— 

—  — 
—  — 
—  — 
—  — 
(10)  — 

(2,185) 
(218) 
— 
— 
— 

9,441  — 

2,044  — 

— 

— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 

— 

(2,185)
(218)
(438,102)
9,558 
—

9,441 

—

— 

48 
(2,286)  — 
—  — 

— 
(5,168) 
— 

— 
(4,752,595) 
595 

48 
735,367 
595 

—  — 
—  — 
—  — 
—  — 
—  — 

4,177 
(85) 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

4,177 
(85)
4,687 
27,987 
14,042 

2,286  — 
—  — 
—  — 
—  — 

— 
— 
(1,076) 
— 

— 
— 
(4,752,000) 
82,788 

—
(28,457)
753,626 
82,788 

—  — 
846 
—  — 
(1,013)
—  — 
82,621 
—  — 
36,835 
—  — 
19,572 
—  — 
—
(42,500)
—  — 
 —  $ —  $(1,243)  $(4,669,212)  $   850,154 

846 
(1,013) 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 
— 

$ 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ConSoLiDateD StatementS oF CaSH FLoWS

(in thousands) 
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided  
  by used in operating activities:

Early extinguishment of debt 
Amortization of premium (discount) on marketable securities 
Non-cash loss from equity investments and marketable securities 
Non-cash impairment of long-lived assets 
Depreciation and amortization of leasehold improvements 
Goodwill impairment 
Stock compensation 
Amortization of intangibles 
Provision for doubtful accounts 
Provision for inventory excess and obsolescence 
Provision for warranty and other contractual obligations 
Other 
Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses and other 
Accounts payable and accruals 
Income taxes payable 
Deferred revenue and other obligations 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Payments for equipment, furniture, fixtures and intellectual property 
Proceeds from sale of equipment, furniture and fixtures 
Restricted cash 
Purchase of available for sale securities 
Proceeds from maturities of available for sale securities 
Minority equity investments, net 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable 
Repurchase of 3.75% convertible notes payable 
Debt issuance costs 
Purchase of call spread option 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock and warrants 
Repayment of notes receivable from stockholders 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cost and cash equivalents 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest expense 
Income taxes 

non-cash investing and financing activities

Purchase of equipment in accounts payable 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

year ended october 31,

2005 

2006 

2007

$(435,699) 

$ 

  595 

$   82,788 

(3,882) 
13,636 
9,486 
45,862 
33,377 
176,600 
9,441 
42,651 
2,602 
5,232 
9,738 
3,218 

(29,510) 
(6,951) 
7,420 
(19,633) 
2,431 
5,942 
(128,039) 

(11,315) 
278 
1,986 
(578,846) 
910,505 
4,882 
327,490 

— 
(36,913) 
— 
— 
9,558 
48 
(27,307) 
— 
172,144 
185,868 
$ 358,012 

(7,052) 
(823) 
733 
— 
16,401 
— 
14,042 
29,050 
— 
9,012 
14,522 
2,028 

(34,386) 
(65,764) 
4,056 
(59,161) 
196 
(2,842) 
(79,393) 

(17,760) 
— 
4,552 
(1,090,409) 
851,084 
948 
(251,585) 

300,000 
(98,410) 
(7,990) 
(28,457) 
27,987 
— 
193,130 
— 
(137,848) 
358,012 
$  220,164 

—
(14,191)
13,013 
—
12,833 
—
19,572 
29,220 
—
12,180 
12,743 
2,544 

3,094 
(8,713)
(20,568)
(60,524)
1,787 
22,964 
108,742 

(32,105)
—
(13,277)
(864,012)
989,705 
(181)
80,130 

500,000 
—
(11,750)
(42,500)
36,835 
—
482,585 
440 
671,897 
220,164 
$ 892,061 

$   25,817 
 977 
$ 

$ 
$ 

   21,685 
  969 

$   21,504 
  1,157 
$ 

$ 

  — 

$ 

  — 

$ 

  3,062 

66  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
noteS to ConSoLiDateD FinanCiaL StatementS

(1)   Ciena Corporation and Significant accounting policies and estimates

Description of business
Ciena Corporation is a supplier of communications networking equipment, software and services that support the trans-
port, switching, aggregation and management of voice, video and data traffic. Ciena’s products are used, individually or 
as part of an integrated solution, in communications network infrastructures operated by telecommunications service 
providers, cable operators, governments and enterprises around the globe. Ciena’s products facilitate the cost-effective 
delivery of enterprise and consumer-oriented communication services. Through its FlexSelect™ Architecture, Ciena spe-
cializes in transitioning legacy communications networks to converged, next-generation architectures, better able to 
handle increased traffic and to deliver more efficiently a broader mix of high-bandwidth communications services.

Ciena was incorporated in Delaware in November 1992, and completed its initial public offering on February 7, 1997. 
Ciena’s principal executive offices are located at 1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090.

Principles of Consolidation
Ciena has 12 wholly owned U.S. and international subsidiaries, which have been consolidated in the accompanying 
financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ciena and its wholly owned subsidiaries. 
All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

fiscal Year
Ciena has a 52 or 53 week fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday nearest to the last day of October in each year 
(October 29, 2005, October 28, 2006 and November 3, 2007 for the periods reported). For purposes of financial 
statement presentation, each fiscal year is described as having ended on October 31. Fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2006 con-
sisted of 52 weeks and fiscal 2007 consisted of 53 weeks.

During fiscal 2007, Ciena identified certain immaterial adjustments and recorded expenses of $0.7 million related to 
its provision for warranty and $0.3 million related to service costs, each of which related to fiscal 2006. Also, during 
fiscal 2007, Ciena identified immaterial operating expense totaling $0.5 million incurred in fiscal 2007 that was inad-
vertently recorded in fiscal 2006. Ciena’s revenue for the fiscal 2007 is understated by $0.8 million due to an 
equivalent overstatement of revenue during fiscal 2006. Ciena believes that these adjustments are not material to its 
results for fiscal 2006 or fiscal 2007, or any interim period therein.

Use of estimates
The preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts 
reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for bad debts, valua-
tion of inventories and investments, recoverability of intangible assets and goodwill, income taxes, warranty obligations, 
restructuring liabilities and contingencies and litigation. Ciena bases its estimates on historical experience and also on 
assumptions that it believes are reasonable. Actual results may differ materially from management’s estimates.

Cash and Cash equivalents
Ciena considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash 
equivalents. Restricted cash collateralizing letters of credits are included in other current assets and other long-term 
assets depending upon the duration of the restriction.

67

Investments
Ciena’s investments represent investments in marketable debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale and  
are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. 
Realized gains or losses and declines in value determined to be other-than-temporary, if any, on available-for-sale 
securities, are reported in other income or expense as incurred.

Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost computed using standard cost, which approximates 
actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Ciena records a provision for excess and obsolete inventory when an impair-
ment has been identified.

equipment, furniture and fixtures
Equipment, furniture and fixtures are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the 
straight-line method over useful lives of two years to five years for equipment, furniture and fixtures and the shorter 
of useful life or lease term for leasehold improvements. Impairments of equipment, furniture and fixtures are deter-
mined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, “Accounting for the 
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”

Internal use software and web site development costs are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Position (SOP) 
No. 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use,” and Emerging 
Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 00-2, “Accounting for Web Site Development Costs.” Qualifying costs incurred dur-
ing the application development stage, which consist primarily of outside services and purchased software license 
costs, are capitalized and amortized straight-line over the estimated useful life of the asset.

Goodwill and other Intangible assets
Ciena has recorded goodwill and purchased intangible assets as a result of several acquisitions. Ciena accounts for 
goodwill in accordance with SFAS 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which requires Ciena to test each 
reporting unit’s goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, which Ciena has determined to be the last business day 
of fiscal September each year. Ciena operates its business and tests its goodwill for impairment as a single reporting 
unit. Testing is required between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would, more likely than 
not, reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value.

Purchased intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the 
straight-line method over the economic lives of the respective assets, generally three to seven years. Impairments of 
other intangible assets are determined in accordance SFAS 144.

Minority equity Investments
Ciena has certain minority equity investments in privately held technology companies that are classified as other 
assets. These investments are carried at cost because Ciena owns less than 20% of the voting equity and does not 
have the ability to exercise significant influence over these companies. These investments are inherently high risk as 
the markets for technologies or products manufactured by these companies are usually early stage at the time of the 
investment by Ciena and such markets may never be significant. Ciena could lose its entire investment in some or all 
of these companies. Ciena monitors these investments for impairment and makes appropriate reductions in carrying 
values when necessary.

Unfavorable lease Commitments
Ciena has recorded unfavorable lease commitments as a result of several acquisitions. Ciena accounts for unfavor-
able lease commitments in accordance with SFAS 141 “Business Combinations.” The value of the unfavorable lease 
commitments are based upon the present value of the assumed lease obligations based upon rental rates and  

68  Ciena Corporation 10-K

interest rates at the time of the acquisition. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena settled a lease obliga-
tion relating to previously restructured facilities in San Jose, CA, thereby eliminating its remaining unfavorable lease 
commitment balance.

Concentrations
Substantially all of Ciena’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments in marketable debt secu-
rities, are maintained at two major U.S. financial institutions. The majority of Ciena’s cash equivalents consist of 
money market funds and overnight repurchase agreements. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of 
insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and, therefore, man-
agement believes that they bear minimal risk.

Historically, a large percentage of Ciena’s revenue has been the result of sales to a small number of communications 
service providers. Consolidation among Ciena’s customers has increased this concentration. Consequently, Ciena’s 
accounts receivable can be concentrated among these customers. See Notes 5 and 18 below.

Additionally, Ciena’s access to certain raw materials is dependent upon sole and limited source suppliers. The inability 
of any supplier to fulfill Ciena’s supply requirements could affect future results. Ciena relies on a small number of con-
tract manufacturers to perform the majority of the manufacturing for its products. If Ciena cannot effectively manage 
these manufacturers and forecast future demand, or if they fail to deliver products or components on time, Ciena’s 
business may suffer.

Revenue Recognition
Ciena recognizes revenue in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” 
(SAB 104) which states that revenue is realized or realizable and earned when all of the following criteria are met: 
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; the price to  
the buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Customer purchase agreements and cus-
tomer purchase orders are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. Shipping documents and 
customer acceptance, when applicable, are used to verify delivery. Ciena assesses whether the fee is fixed or deter-
minable based on the payment terms associated with the transaction and whether the sales price is subject to 
refund or adjustment. Ciena assesses collectibility based primarily on the creditworthiness of the customer as deter-
mined by credit checks and analysis, as well as the customer’s payment history. In instances where final acceptance 
of the product, system, or solution is specified by the customer, revenue is deferred until all acceptance criteria 
have been met. Revenue for maintenance services is generally deferred and recognized ratably over the period  
during which the services are to be performed.

Some of Ciena’s communications networking equipment is integrated with software that is essential to the functional-
ity of the equipment. Accordingly, Ciena accounts for revenue in accordance with Statement of Position No. 97-2, 
“Software Revenue Recognition,” (SOP 97-2) and all related interpretations. SOP 97-2 incorporates additional guid-
ance unique to software arrangements incorporated with general revenue recognition criteria, such as, revenue is 
recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, 
and collectibility is probable. In instances where final acceptance of the product is specified by the customer, revenue 
is deferred until all acceptance criteria have been met.

Arrangements with customers may include multiple deliverables, including any combination of equipment, services and 
software. If multiple element arrangements include software or software related elements, Ciena applies the provisions 
of SOP 97-2 to determine the amount of the arrangement fee to be allocated to those separate units of accounting. 
Multiple element arrangements that include software are separated into more than one unit of accounting if the func-
tionality of the delivered element(s) is not dependent on the undelivered element(s), there is vendor-specific objective 
evidence of the fair value of the undelivered element(s), and general revenue recognition criteria related to the deliv-
ered element(s) have been met. The amount of product and service revenue recognized is affected by our judgments as 
to whether an arrangement includes multiple elements and, if so, whether vendor-specific objective evidence of fair 

69

value exists. Changes to the elements in an arrangement and our ability to establish vendor-specific objective evidence 
for those elements could affect the timing of revenue recognition. For all other deliverables, Ciena applies the provi-
sions of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables,” (EITF 00-21). 
EITF 00-21 allows for separation of elements into more than one unit of accounting if the delivered element(s) have 
value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, objective and reliable evidence of fair value exists for the undelivered 
element(s), and delivery of the undelivered element(s) is probable and substantially in Ciena’s control. Revenue is allo-
cated to each unit of accounting based on the relative fair value of each accounting unit or using the residual method  
if objective evidence of fair value does not exist for the delivered element(s). The revenue recognition criteria described 
above is applied to each separate unit of accounting. If these criteria are not met, revenue is deferred until the criteria 
are met or the last element has been delivered.

Ciena’s total deferred revenue for products was $4.3 million and $13.2 million as of October 31, 2006 and 2007, 
respectively. Our service revenue is deferred and recognized ratably over the period during which the services are to  
be performed. Our total deferred revenue for services was $36.4 million and $50.4 million as of October 31, 2006 
and 2007, respectively.

Warranty accruals
Ciena provides for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty upon the recognition of the related revenue. 
Estimated warranty costs include material costs, technical support labor costs and associated overhead. The warranty 
liability is included in costs of goods sold and determined based upon actual warranty cost experience, estimates of 
component failure rates and management’s industry experience. Ciena’s sales contracts do not permit the right of 
return of product by the customer after the product has been accepted.

accounts Receivable Trade, net
Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on its assessment, on a specific identification basis, of the 
collectibility of customer accounts. Ciena performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally has not 
required collateral or other forms of security from its customers. In determining the appropriate balance for Ciena’s 
allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, management considers each individual customer account receivable in 
order to determine collectability. In doing so, management considers creditworthiness, payment history, account activ-
ity and communication with such customer. If a customer’s financial condition changes, Ciena may be required to take 
a charge for an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

Research and Development
Ciena charges all research and development costs to expense as incurred. Types of expense incurred in research  
and development include employee compensation, prototype, consulting, depreciation, facility costs and informa-
tion technologies.

advertising Costs
Ciena expenses all advertising costs as incurred.

legal Costs
Ciena expenses legal costs associated with litigation defense as incurred.

share-based Compensation expense
On November 1, 2005, Ciena adopted SFAS 123(R), as interpreted by SAB 107, which requires the measurement and 
recognition of compensation expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair values. SFAS 123(R) requires 
companies to estimate the fair value of share-based awards on the date of grant.

70  Ciena Corporation 10-K

Ciena estimates the fair value of each option-based award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option- 
pricing model. This model is affected by Ciena’s stock price as well as estimates regarding a number of subjective 
variables. These subjective variables include, but are not limited to Ciena’s expected stock price volatility over the 
term of the awards, and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Ciena estimates the fair value of each 
share-based award on the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. In each case, Ciena only 
recognizes expense to its consolidated statement of operations for those options or shares that are expected ulti-
mately to vest. Ciena uses two attribution methods to record expense, the straight-line method for grants with only 
service-based vesting or the graded-vesting method, which considers each performance period or tranche separately, 
for all other awards.

No tax benefits were attributed to the share-based compensation expense because a full valuation allowance was 
maintained for all net deferred tax assets.

Income Taxes
Ciena accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS 109 describes 
an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected 
future tax consequences attributable to differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial 
reporting purposes and their respective tax bases, and for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. In estimating 
future tax consequences, SFAS 109 generally considers all expected future events other than the enactment of 
changes in tax laws or rates. Valuation allowances are provided, if, based upon the weight of the available evidence,  
it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Ciena has not provided U.S. deferred income taxes on the cumulative unremitted earnings of its non-U.S. affiliates as 
it plans to permanently reinvest cumulative unremitted foreign earnings outside the U.S. and it is not practicable to 
determine the unrecognized deferred income taxes. These cumulative unremitted foreign earnings relate to ongoing 
operations in foreign jurisdictions and are required to fund foreign operations, capital expenditures, and any expan-
sion requirements.

loss Contingencies
Ciena is subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. These may relate to dis-
putes, litigation and other legal actions. Ciena considers the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability, as well  
as Ciena’s ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss con-
tingency is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably 
estimated. Ciena regularly evaluates current information available to it to determine whether any accruals should be 
adjusted and whether new accruals are required.

fair Value of financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of Ciena’s financial instruments, which include short-term and long-term investments in market-
able debt securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other accrued expenses, approximate their fair values 
due to their short maturities.

foreign Currency Translation
Some of Ciena’s foreign branch offices and subsidiaries use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, because 
Ciena, as the U.S. parent entity, exclusively funds the operations of these branch offices and subsidiaries with U.S. 
dollars. For those subsidiaries using the local currency as their functional currency, assets and liabilities are translated 
at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and the statement of operations is translated at a monthly 
average rate. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded directly to a separate component of stockholders’ 
equity. Where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, re-measurement adjustments are recorded in other income. 
The net gain (loss) on foreign currency re-measurement and exchange rate changes is immaterial for separate finan-
cial statement presentation.

71

Computation of basic net Income (loss) per Common share and Diluted net Income (loss) per 
Dilutive Potential Common share
Ciena calculates earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with the SFAS 128, “Earnings per Share.” This statement requires 
dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income statement for entities with a complex capital struc-
ture and requires a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator used for the basic and diluted EPS computations.

software Development Costs
SFAS 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed,” requires 
the capitalization of certain software development costs incurred subsequent to the date technological feasibility is 
established and prior to the date the product is generally available for sale. The capitalized cost is then amortized 
straight-line over the estimated product life. Ciena defines technological feasibility as being attained at the time a 
working model is completed. To date, the period between achieving technological feasibility and the general avail-
ability of such software has been short, and software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been 
insignificant. Accordingly, Ciena has not capitalized any software development costs.

segment Reporting
SFAS 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” establishes annual and interim 
reporting standards for operating segments of a company. It also requires entity-wide disclosures about the products 
and services an entity provides, the material countries in which it holds assets and reports revenue, and its major cus-
tomers. Ciena reports its financial results as a single business segment.

newly Issued accounting standards
In September 2006, the SEC issued SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when 
Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB 108 provides interpretative guidance on the 
process of quantifying financial statement misstatements and is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 
2006. The adoption of this statement in fiscal 2007 did not have a material impact on Ciena’s financial condition, 
results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid 
Financial Instruments” which amends SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and SFAS 
140, “Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.” SFAS 155 simplifies 
the accounting for certain derivatives embedded in other financial instruments by allowing them to be accounted for as a 
whole if the holder elects to account for the whole instrument on a fair value basis. SFAS 155 also clarifies and amends 
certain other provisions of SFAS 133 and SFAS 140. SFAS 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired, issued or 
subject to a remeasurement event occurring in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. The adoption of this 
statement in fiscal 2007 did not have a material impact on Ciena’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” which supersedes APB Opinion 
No. 20, “Accounting Changes” and SFAS 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” SFAS 
154 changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 
also carries forward, without change, the guidance contained in APB 20 for reporting the correction of an error in 
previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate. SFAS 154 requires retrospective applica-
tion to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine 
either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. The correction of an error in previously issued 
financial statements is not a change in accounting principle. However, the reporting of an error correction involves 
adjustments to previously issued financial statements similar to those generally applicable to reporting an accounting 
change retroactively. Therefore, the reporting of a correction of an error by restating previously issued financial state-
ments is also addressed by SFAS 154. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this statement in fiscal 2007 did not have a material 
impact on Ciena’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

72  Ciena Corporation 10-K

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a 
framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about 
fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim peri-
ods within those fiscal years. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this statement could have on its 
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an inter-
pretation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 clarifies the 
accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before 
being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classifica-
tion, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The interpretation applies to all tax 
positions related to income taxes subject to SFAS 109. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
2006. Differences between the amounts recognized in the statements of financial position prior to the adoption of FIN 
48 and the amounts reported after adoption should be accounted for as a cumulative-effect adjustment recorded to 
the beginning balance of retained earnings. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 on its 
consolidated financial statements, and anticipates any adjustment to retained earnings will not be material.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—
Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits an entity to measure many financial 
instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Entities 
that elect the fair value option will report unrealized gains and losses in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. 
SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact 
the adoption of this statement could have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an 
amendment of ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 160 requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsid-
iaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Its intention is to eliminate the diversity in practice regarding 
the accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests. This Statement is effective for fiscal 
years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier adoption is pro-
hibited. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this statement could have on its financial condition, 
results of operations and cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), a revised version of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations.” 
The revision is intended to simplify existing guidance and converge rulemaking under U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles (GAAP) with international accounting rules. This statement applies prospectively to business 
combinations where the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning 
on or after December 15, 2008, and may affect the release of our valuation allowance against prior acquisition 
intangibles. An entity may not apply it before that date. The new standard also converges financial reporting under 
U.S. GAAP with international accounting rules. Ciena is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this state-
ment could have on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

73

(2)  restructuring Costs
Ciena has previously taken actions to align its workforce, facilities and operating costs with perceived market and 
business opportunities. Ciena historically has committed to a restructuring plan and has incurred the associated liabil-
ity concurrently in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal 
Activities.” The following table displays the activity and balances of the restructuring liability accounts for the fiscal 
years indicated (in thousands):

Balance at October 31, 2004 
Additional liability recorded 
Adjustment to previous estimates 
Cash payments 
Balance at October 31, 2005 
Additional liability recorded 
Adjustment to previous estimates 
Lease settlements 
Cash payments 
Balance at October 31, 2006 
Additional liability recorded 
Adjustment to previous estimates 
Lease settlements 
Cash payments 
Balance at October 31, 2007 
Current restructuring liabilities 
Non-current restructuring liabilities 

Workforce  
reduction 
$ 1,446 

5,770(a) 
— 
(6,946) 
270 
4,652(b) 
— 

(4,922) 
— 
72(c) 1
— 
— 
(72) 
   — 
   — 
   — 

$ 
$ 
$ 

Consolidation 
of excess 
Facilities 
$ 79,937 

884(a) 
11,364(a) 
(22,678) 
69,507 

1,782(b) 
9,237(b) 
(11,648)(b) 
(33,244) 
35,634 

(c) 
(2,508)(c) 
(4,871)(c) 

(23,568) 
$   4,688 
$   1,026 
$   3,662 

total
$ 81,383
6,654
11,364
(29,624)
69,777
6,434
9,237
(11,648)
(38,166)
35,634
73
(2,508)
(4,871)
(23,640)
$   4,688
$   1,026
$   3,662

(a)  During the first quarter of fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $1.0 million related to a workforce reduction of 21 
employees and a charge of approximately $0.3 million related to certain other costs associated with the closure of its San Jose, CA facility on 
September 30, 2004. This restructuring charge also reflects a reversed charge of $0.1 million related to an adjustment to estimates associated with 
costs for previously restructured facilities.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $2.1 million related to a workforce reduction of 53 
employees and a charge of approximately $7.6 million related to an adjustment to estimates associated with costs for previously restructured facilities.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $2.3 million related to a workforce reduction of 96 
employees and recorded a charge of approximately $0.1 million related to the closure of one of its Kanata, Canada facilities. This restructuring 
charge also reflects approximately $1.9 million related to an adjustment to estimates associated with costs for previously restructured facilities.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a restructuring charge of approximately $0.4 million related to a workforce reduction of 7 
employees and recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million related to the closure of Ciena’s Durham, NC facilities. This restructuring charge 
also reflects approximately $2.0 million related to an adjustment to estimates associated with costs for previously restructured facilities.
(b)  During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.7 million related to the closure of one of its facilities located in Kanata, 

Canada and a charge of $1.5 million related to a workforce reduction of 62 employees. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a 
credit adjustment of $0.2 million related to costs associated with previously restructured facilities. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena 
recorded a gain of $6.0 million related to the buy-out of the lease of its former Fremont, CA facility, which Ciena had previously restructured.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.7 million related to the closure of its Shrewsbury, NJ facility and a charge 
of $2.5 million related to a workforce reduction of 86 employees. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a credit adjustment of 
$0.2 million related to costs associated with previously restructured facilities. During the second quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a gain of 
$5.6 million related to the buy-out of the lease of its former Cupertino, CA facility, which Ciena had previously restructured.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.5 million related to a workforce reduction of 7 employees and additional 
employee costs related to the closure of its Shrewsbury, NJ facility in the second quarter of fiscal 2006. During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, pri-
marily due to changes in market conditions, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $10.1 million related to costs associated with previously restructured 
facilities, $10.0 million of which was related to its former facilities located in San Jose, CA. Ciena also recorded a charge of $0.4 million related to 
the closure of its facility located in Beijing, China during the third quarter of fiscal 2006.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.1 million related to other costs associated with a previous workforce reduc-
tion and a credit of $0.5 million related to the settlement of a previously recorded facility liability.

(c)  During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded a charge of $0.1 million related to other costs associated with a previous workforce reduction 

and an adjustment of $0.5 million related to costs associated with previously restructured facilities.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $0.8 million related to its return to use of a facility that had been previ-
ously restructured.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded an adjustment of $1.2 million primarily related to its return to use of a facility that had been 
previously restructured.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded a gain on lease settlement of $4.9 million related to the termination of lease obligations 
for our former San Jose, CA facilities. We paid $53.0 million in connection with the settlement of this lease obligation. This transaction eliminated 
Ciena’s remaining unfavorable lease commitment balance of $34.9 million and reduced Ciena’s restructuring liabilities by $23.5 million, offset by 
approximately $0.5 million of other expenses.

74  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)  goodwill and Long-Lived asset impairments

Goodwill Impairment
SFAS 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires Ciena to test each reporting unit’s goodwill for impair-
ment on an annual basis, which Ciena has determined to be the last business day of fiscal September each year. 
Testing is required between annual tests if events occur or circumstances change that would, more likely than not, 
reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value. For fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, Ciena 
determined that its operating segments and reporting units were the same. For fiscal 2005, the fair value of Ciena’s 
goodwill was tested for impairment on a segment level. For fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007, the fair value of Ciena’s good-
will was tested for impairment on an enterprise level due to the elimination of Ciena’s former business units in the 
third quarter of fiscal 2006. The table below sets forth changes in carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal years 
indicated (in thousands):

Balance as of October 31, 2004 
Goodwill acquired 
Impairment losses 
Balance as of October 31, 2005 
Goodwill acquired 
Impairment losses 
Balance as of October 31, 2006 
Goodwill acquired 
Impairment losses 
Balance as of October 31, 2007 

total
$ 408,615
—
(176,600)
232,015
—
—
232,015
—
—
$ 232,015

Goodwill assessment—fiscal 2005
Ciena performed an assessment of the fair value of its reporting units and its intangible assets as of September 24, 
2005. Ciena compared the fair value of each of its reporting units at that time to each reporting unit’s carrying value 
including goodwill. In conjunction with Ciena’s assessment, it became apparent that developments in the market for 
broadband loop carrier products, particularly outside of the United States, would require Ciena to make a substantial 
commitment of research and development resources in order to compete successfully in this market with Ciena’s CN 
1000™ Next-Generation Broadband Access platform. Given the uncertainties associated with this international mar-
ket and the magnitude of the investment required, Ciena determined it would not be cost-effective to make such 
investment and suspended research and development for this product. This decision significantly reduced Ciena’s fore-
casted long-term revenue for its former Broadband Access Group (BBG) reporting unit. As a result, the carrying value 
of BBG, including goodwill, exceeded the fair value of BBG as of September 24, 2005. The fair value of the BBG 
reporting unit was determined using the average of the valuations calculated using market multiples and discounted 
cash flows. Because of the forecasted decline in long-term revenue for BBG, no control premium was added to the 
valuation results for the BBG reporting unit.

Because BBG’s carrying value, including goodwill, exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole, Ciena 
assessed the fair value of BBG’s individual assets, including identified intangible assets and liabilities, in order to derive 
an implied fair value for BBG’s goodwill. Ciena determined the estimated fair value of the identifiable intangible assets 
of the unit using discounted cash flows. Ciena used cash flow periods ranging from one to ten years, depending on 
the nature of the asset, and assumed that revenue for the BBG reporting unit would decline to zero over ten years. 
Ciena used discount rates of 10% to 14%, based on the specific risks and circumstances associated with the identi-
fied intangible assets and Ciena’s weighted average cost of capital. The assumptions supporting the estimated 
discounted cash flows for identified intangible assets, including the cash flow periods, discount rates and forecasted 
future revenue, reflect management’s estimates. Ciena determined that the implied fair value of goodwill assigned to 
BBG was zero. Because the carrying amount of the goodwill assigned to BBG was greater than the implied fair value, 
Ciena recorded an impairment loss of $176.6 million in fiscal 2005.

75

 
Goodwill assessment—fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007
Ciena performed an assessment of the fair value of its single reporting unit and its intangible assets as of September 23, 
2006 and September 29, 2007. Ciena compared its fair value on each assessment date to its carrying value, including 
goodwill, and determined that the carrying value, including goodwill, did not exceed fair value. Because the carrying 
amount was less than its fair value, no impairment loss was recorded. The fair value of Ciena was determined using the 
average market price of Ciena’s common stock over a 10-day period before and after each assessment date, with a con-
trol premium added to the valuation results.

long-lived asset Impairment—equipment, furniture and fixtures
During fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded impairment losses of $0.2 million related to excess equipment, furniture and fixtures 
that were classified as held for sale as a result of Ciena’s restructuring activities. Ciena did not record an impairment of 
equipment, furniture and fixtures during fiscal 2006 or fiscal 2007.

long-lived asset Impairment—other Intangible assets
Ciena performs assessments of the carrying value of its other intangible assets pursuant to SFAS 144. SFAS 144 
addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets and requires compa-
nies to test each intangible asset for impairment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable.

During fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a charge of $45.7 million related to the impairment of BBG developed technology 
and customer relationships acquired from Catena Networks in May 2004. This charge was based on the amount by 
which the carrying amount of the intangible assets exceeded their estimated fair value. Fair value was determined 
based on discounted estimated future cash flows derived from the intangible assets. Ciena used a cash flow period of 
five years and assumed that revenue related to these intangible assets would decline to zero over five years. The dis-
count rate used was 15%. The assumptions supporting the estimated future cash flows, including the discount rate 
reflect management’s best estimates. The discount rate was based upon Ciena’s weighted average cost of capital as 
adjusted for the risks associated with its operations. Ciena did not record an impairment of intangible assets during 
fiscal 2006 or fiscal 2007.

(4)  marketable Debt Securities
As of the dates indicated, short-term and long-term investments in marketable debt securities are comprised of the 
following (in thousands):

Corporate bonds 
Asset backed obligations 
Commercial paper 
US government obligations 
Certificate of deposit 

Included in short-term investments 
Included in long-term investments 

amortized 
Cost 
$258,904 
121,274 
198,407 
31,186 
246,003 
$855,774 
821,828 
33,946 
$855,774 

october 31, 2007

gross 
unrealized 
gains 
$252 
136 
— 
55 
— 
$443 
443 
— 
$443 

gross 
unrealized 
Losses 
$42 
44 
— 
— 
— 
$86 
86 
— 
$86 

estimated 
Fair 
Value
$259,114 
121,366 
198,407 
31,241 
246,003 
$856,131 
822,185 
33,946 
$856,131 

76  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate bonds 
Asset backed obligations 
Commercial paper 
US government obligations 

Included in short-term investments 
Included in long-term investments 

amortized 
Cost 
$468,152 
195,728 
152,768 
163,643 
$980,291 
629,269 
351,022 
$980,291 

october 31, 2006

gross 
unrealized 
gains 
$437 
142 
— 
84 
$663 
66 
597 
$663 

gross 
unrealized 
Losses 
$   525 
305 
— 
324 
$1,154 
942 
212 
$1,154 

estimated 
Fair 
Value
$468,064 
195,565 
152,768 
163,403 
$979,800 
628,393 
351,407 
$979,800

Estimated fair value of commercial paper at October 31, 2007 includes investments in SIV Portfolio plc (formerly 
known as Cheyne Finance plc) and Rhinebridge LLC, two structured investment vehicles (SIVs) that entered into receiv-
ership during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 and failed to make payment at maturity. Due to the mortgage-related 
assets that they hold, each of these entities has been exposed to adverse market conditions that have affected their 
collateral and their ability to access short-term funding. Ciena purchased these investments in the third quarter of fis-
cal 2007 and, at the time of purchase, each investment had a rating of A1+ by Standard and Poor’s and P-1 by 
Moody’s, their highest ratings respectively. These investments are no longer trading and have no readily determinable 
market value. Ciena reviewed current investment ratings, valuation estimates of the underlying collateral, company 
specific news and events, and general economic conditions in considering the fair value of these investments. In esti-
mating fair value, Ciena used a valuation approach based on a liquidation of assets held by each SIV and their 
subsequent distribution of cash. Ciena utilized assessments of the underlying collateral from multiple indicators of 
value which were then discounted to reflect the expected timing of disposition and market risks. Based on this assess-
ment of fair value, as of October 31, 2007, Ciena recognized realized losses of $13.0 million related to these 
investments. Giving effect to these losses, our investment portfolio at October 31, 2007 included an estimated fair 
value of $33.9 million in commercial paper issued by these entities. Information and the markets relating to these 
investments remain dynamic, and there may be further declines in the value of these investments, the value of the col-
lateral held by these entities and the liquidity of our investments. To the extent Ciena determines that a further decline 
in fair value is other-than-temporary, Ciena may recognize additional realized losses in future periods up to the aggre-
gate amount of these investments.

Gross unrealized losses related to marketable debt investments were primarily due to changes in interest rates. Ciena’s 
management has determined that the gross unrealized losses at October 31, 2007 are temporary in nature because 
Ciena has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value, which may be maturity. As of 
the dates indicated, gross unrealized losses were as follows (in thousands):

unrealized Losses 
Less than 12 months 

gross  
unrealized  
Losses 
$41 
7 
$48 

Fair 
Value 
$50,152 
6,140 
$56,292 

october 31, 2007

unrealized Losses 
12 months or greater 

gross 
unrealized  
Losses 
$  1 
37 
$38 

Fair 
Value 
$  2,999 
22,923 
$25,922 

total

gross 
unrealized  
Losses 
$42 
44 
$86 

Fair 
Value
$53,151 
29,063 
$82,214 

Corporate bonds 
Asset backed obligations 

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
unrealized Losses 
Less than 12 months 

gross  
unrealized  
Losses 
$400 
153 
— 
112 
$665 

Fair 
Value 
$196,947 
92,869 
— 
38,692 
$328,508 

october 31, 2006

unrealized Losses 
12 months or greater 

gross 
unrealized  
Losses 
$125 
152 
— 
212 
$489 

Fair 
Value 
$  26,687 
34,828 
— 
40,839 
$102,354 

total

gross 
unrealized  
Losses 
$   525 
305 
— 
324 
$1,154 

Fair 
Value
$223,634 
127,697 
—
79,531 
$430,862

Corporate bonds 
Asset backed obligations 
Commercial paper 
US government obligations 

The following table summarizes maturities of debt investments at October 31, 2007 (in thousands):

Less than one year 
Due in 1–2 years 
Due in 2–5 years 

amortized 
Cost 
$701,322 
99,754 
54,698 
$855,774 

estimated  
Fair Value
 $701,588
99,789
54,754 
 $856,131

(5)  accounts receivable
As of October 31, 2007, one customer accounted for 40.1% of net trade accounts receivable. As of October 31, 
2006, two customers accounted for 25.4% and 21.8% of net trade accounts receivable, respectively. Ciena’s allow-
ance for doubtful accounts as of each of October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006 was $0.1 million.

During fiscal 2006, Ciena recorded a recovery of doubtful accounts in the amount of $3.0 million as a result of the 
receipt of amounts due from customers from whom payment was previously deemed doubtful due to their financial 
condition. In addition, during fiscal 2006, $0.1 million of uncollectible accounts were written off against the allowance.

During fiscal 2005, Ciena recorded a provision for doubtful accounts of $2.6 million relating to one customer from 
which payment was doubtful due to a change in its financial condition.

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal years indicated  
(in thousands):

year ended  
october 31, 
2005 
2006 
2007 

Balance at 
Beginning of period 
$   961 
$3,291 
$   146 

net provisions 
(recovery) 
$ 2,602 
$(3,031) 
 (14) 
$ 

Deductions 
$272 
$114 
$   — 

Balance at 
end of period
$3,291 
$   146 
$   132

(6)  inventories
As of the dates indicated, inventories are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Raw materials 
Work-in-process 
Finished goods 

Provision for excess and obsolescence 

october 31,

2006 
$  29,627 
9,156 
89,628 
128,411 
(22,326) 
$106,085 

2007
$  28,611
4,123
96,054
128,788
(26,170)
$102,618

78  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ciena writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference 
between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based on assumptions about future demand and 
market conditions. During fiscal 2005, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007, Ciena recorded provisions for inventory reserves 
of $5.2 million, $9.0 million and $12.2 million, respectively, primarily related to increases in excess inventory due to 
changes in forecasted sales for certain products. Deductions from the reserve for excess and obsolete inventory gen- 
erally relate to disposal activities.

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s reserve for excess and obsolete inventory for the fiscal years 
indicated (in thousands):

year ended  
october 31, 
2005 
2006 
2007 

Balance at 
Beginning of period 
$21,933 
$22,595 
$22,326 

provisions 
$  5,232 
$  9,012 
$12,180 

Deductions 
$4,570 
$9,281 
$8,336 

Balance at 
end of period
$22,595 
$22,326 
$26,170

(7)  prepaid expenses and other
As of the dates indicated, prepaid expenses and other are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Interest receivable 
Prepaid VAT and other taxes 
Deferred deployment expense 
Prepaid expenses 
Restricted cash 
Other non-trade receivables 

october 31,

2006 
$  8,547 
9,467 
1,948 
6,497 
6,990 
2,923 
$36,372 

2007
$  4,981
18,092
6,237
10,724
3,994
3,789
$47,817

(8)  equipment, Furniture and Fixtures
As of the dates indicated, equipment, furniture and fixtures are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Equipment, furniture and fixtures 
Leasehold improvements 

Accumulated depreciation  
  and amortization 

october 31,

2006 
$ 253,953 
36,203 
290,156 

2007
$ 269,534 
37,249 
306,783 

(260,729) 
$   29,427 

(260,112)
$   46,671

(9)  other intangible assets
As of the dates indicated, other intangible assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

october 31,

2006 

2007

Developed technology 
Patents and licenses 
Customer relationships, covenants  
  not to compete, outstanding  
  purchase orders and contracts 

gross  

accumulated 
intangible  amortization 
$139,983 
47,370 

$(87,577) 
(25,463) 

net 
intangible 
$52,406 
21,907 

gross  

accumulated 
intangible  amortization 
$145,073 
47,370 

$(104,822) 
(31,708) 

net 
intangible
$40,251
15,662

45,981 
$233,334 

(29,020) 

16,961 
$91,274 

45,981 
$238,424 

(34,750) 

11,231
$67,144

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Ciena purchased certain developed technology of $5.1 million.

The aggregate amortization expense of other intangible assets in fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 was  
$29.2 million, $29.1 million, and $42.7 million, respectively. Expected future amortization of other intangible assets for 
the fiscal years indicated is as follows (in thousands):

year ended  
october 31,
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 

$28,858
20,272
15,518
1,648
848
$67,144

(10)  other Balance Sheet Details
As of the dates indicated, other long-term assets are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Maintenance spares inventory, net 
Deferred debt issuance costs 
Investments in privately held companies 
Restricted cash 
Other 

october 31,

2006 
$14,724 
10,306 
6,489 
3,227 
2,658 
$37,404 

2007
$20,816
18,059
6,671
19,499
2,693
$67,738

Deferred debt issuance costs are amortized using the straight line method which approximates the effect of the 
effective interest rate method on the maturity of the related debt. Amortization of debt issuance cost, which is 
included in interest expense, was $4.0 million, $3.1 million, and $3.0 million for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 
2005, respectively.

As of the dates indicated, accrued liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Warranty 
Accrued compensation, payroll  

related tax and benefits 

Accrued interest payable 
Other 

october 31,

2006 
$31,751 

24,102 
5,502 
17,927 
$79,282 

2007
$33,580 

32,053 
6,998 
18,291 
$90,922

The following table summarizes the activity in Ciena’s accrued warranty for the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

year ended  
october 31, 
2005 
2006 
2007 

Balance at 
Beginning of period 
$30,189 
$27,044 
$31,751 

provisions 
$  9,738 
$14,522 
$12,743 

Settlements 
$(12,883) 
$  (9,815) 
$(10,914) 

Balance at 
end of period
$27,044 
$31,751 
$33,580

80  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of the dates indicated, deferred revenue are comprised of the following (in thousands):

Products 
Services 

Less current portion 
Long-term deferred revenue 

october 31,

2006 
$   4,276 
36,400 
40,676 
(19,637) 
$ 21,039 

2007
$ 13,208
50,432
63,640
(33,025)
$ 30,615

(11)  Convertible notes payable

Ciena 3.75% Convertible notes, Due february 1, 2008
On February 9, 2001, Ciena completed a public offering of 3.75% Convertible Notes, due February 1, 2008, in an 
aggregate principal amount of $690.0 million. Interest is payable on February 1 and August 1 of each year. The notes 
may be converted into shares of Ciena’s common stock at any time before their maturity or their prior redemption or 
repurchase by Ciena. The conversion rate is 1.3687 shares per each $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to 
adjustment in certain circumstances. Prior to maturity, Ciena has the option to redeem all or a portion of the notes 
that have not been previously converted at 100.536% of the principal amount.

During fiscal 2006, Ciena repurchased $106.5 million of the outstanding 3.75% convertible notes for $98.4 million in 
open market transactions. Ciena recorded a gain on the extinguishment of debt in the amount of $7.1 million, which 
consists of the $8.1 million gain from the repurchase of the notes, less a write-off of $1.0 million of associated debt 
issuance costs.

During fiscal 2005, Ciena repurchased $41.2 million of the outstanding 3.75% convertible notes for $36.9 million in 
open market transactions. Ciena recorded a gain on the extinguishment of debt in the amount of $3.9 million, which 
consists of the $4.3 million gain from the repurchase of the notes, less a write-off of $0.4 million of associated debt 
issuance costs.

As of the end of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, the fair value of the outstanding $542.3 million in aggregate principal 
amount of 3.75% convertible notes was $534.2 million and $525.3 million, respectively. Fair value is based on the 
quoted market price for the notes on the dates above.

0.25% Convertible senior notes, Due May 1, 2013
On April 10, 2006, Ciena completed a public offering of 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due May 1, 2013, in aggregate 
principal amount of $300.0 million. Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The notes are senior 
unsecured obligations of Ciena and rank equally with all of Ciena’s other existing and future senior unsecured debt.

At the election of the holder, notes may be converted prior to maturity into shares of Ciena common stock at the ini-
tial conversion rate of 25.3001 shares per $1,000 in principal amount, which is equivalent to an initial conversion 
price of $39.5255 per share. The notes may not be redeemed by Ciena prior to May 5, 2009. At any time on or after 
May 5, 2009, if the closing sale price of Ciena’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in any 30 consecutive 
trading day period ending on the date one day prior to the date of the notice of redemption exceeds 130% of the 
conversion price, Ciena may redeem the notes in whole or in part, at a redemption price in cash equal to the princi-
pal amount to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

If Ciena undergoes a “fundamental change” (as that term is defined in the indenture governing the notes to include 
certain change in control transactions), holders of notes will have the right, subject to certain exemptions, to require 
Ciena to purchase for cash any or all of their notes at a price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest. If the holder elects to convert his or her notes in connection with a specified fundamental change, in certain 
circumstances, Ciena will be required to increase the applicable conversion rate, depending on the price paid per 
share for Ciena common stock and the effective date of the fundamental change transaction.

81

 
 
 
Ciena used approximately $28.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to purchase a call spread option on its 
common stock that is intended to limit exposure to potential dilution from the conversion of the notes. See Note 13 
below for a description of this call spread option.

As of the end of fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006, the fair value of the $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 
0.25% convertible senior notes outstanding was $387.5 million and $251.3 million, respectively. Fair value is based on 
the quoted market price for the notes on the dates above.

0.875% Convertible senior notes, Due June 15, 2017
On June 11, 2007, Ciena completed a public offering of 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2017, in 
aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. Interest is payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, begin-
ning on December 15, 2007. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of Ciena and rank equally with all of Ciena’s 
other existing and future senior unsecured debt.

At the election of the holder, notes may be converted prior to maturity into shares of Ciena common stock at the ini-
tial conversion rate of 26.2154 shares per $1,000 in principal amount, which is equivalent to an initial conversion 
price of approximately $38.15 per share. The notes are not redeemable by Ciena prior to maturity.

If Ciena undergoes a “fundamental change” (as that term is defined in the indenture governing the notes to include 
certain change in control transactions), holders of notes will have the right, subject to certain exemptions, to require 
Ciena to purchase for cash any or all of their notes at a price equal to the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest. If the holder elects to convert his or her notes in connection with a specified fundamental change, in certain 
circumstances, Ciena will be required to increase the applicable conversion rate, depending on the price paid per 
share for Ciena common stock and the effective date of the fundamental change transaction.

Ciena used approximately $42.5 million of the net proceeds of this offering to purchase a call spread option on its 
common stock that is intended to limit exposure to potential dilution from conversion of the notes. See Note 13 
below for a description of this call spread option.

As of the end of fiscal 2007, the fair value of the outstanding $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 
0.875% convertible senior notes was $675.9 million, based on the quoted market price for the notes.

82  Ciena Corporation 10-K

(12)  earning (Loss) per Share Calculation
The following table (in thousands except per share amounts) is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of 
the basic net income (loss) per common share (“Basic EPS”) and the diluted net income (loss) per dilutive potential 
common share (“Diluted EPS”). Basic EPS is computed using the weighted average number of common shares out-
standing. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of (i) common shares outstanding, (ii) shares 
issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units, (iii) shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, 
employee stock purchase plan options and warrants using the treasury stock method; and (iv) shares underlying the 
0.25% and 0.875% convertible senior notes. Diluted EPS for fiscal 2007 reflects only a portion of the shares underly-
ing the 0.875% convertible notes because they were issued on June 11, 2007.

numerator 
Net income (loss) 
Add: Interest expense for 0.25% convertible senior notes  
Add: Interest expense for 0.875% convertible senior notes  
Net income (loss) used to calculate Diluted EPS 

2005 
$(435,699) 
— 
— 
$(435,699) 

2006 
$595 
— 
— 
$595 

year ended october 31,

Denominator 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 
Add: Shares underlying outstanding stock options,  
  employees stock purchase plan options, warrants  
  and restricted stock units 
Add: Shares underlying 0.25% convertible senior notes 
Add: Shares underlying 0.875% convertible senior notes 
Dilutive weighted average shares outstanding 

epS 
Basic EPS 
Diluted EPS 

2005 
82,170 

— 
— 
— 
82,170 

2005 
$(5.30) 
$(5.30) 

year ended october 31,

2006 
83,840 

1,171 
— 
— 
85,011 

year ended october 31,

2006 
$0.01 
$0.01 

2007
$82,788
1,882
2,261
$86,931

2007
85,525

1,352
7,590
5,137
99,604

2007
$0.97
$0.87

explanation of shares excluded Due to anti-Dilutive effect
For fiscal 2005, the weighted average number of shares underlying stock options, restricted stock units, warrants and 
Ciena’s 3.75% convertible notes are considered anti-dilutive because Ciena incurred net losses.

For fiscal 2006, the weighted average number of shares underlying outstanding stock options, employee stock pur-
chase plan options, restricted stock units and warrants in the table below are considered anti-dilutive because the 
exercise price of these awards is greater than the average per share closing price on the NASDAQ Stock Market during 
this period. In addition, the weighted average number of shares issuable upon conversion of Ciena’s 0.25% convert-
ible senior notes and 3.75% convertible notes are considered anti-dilutive pursuant to SFAS 128 because the related 
interest expense on a per common share “if converted” basis exceeds Basic EPS for the period.

For fiscal 2007, the weighted average number of shares underlying outstanding stock options, employee stock pur-
chase plan options, restricted stock units, and warrants in the table below are considered anti-dilutive because the 
exercise price of these equity awards is greater than the average per share closing price on the NASDAQ Stock Market 
during this period. In addition, the weighted average number of shares issuable upon conversion of Ciena’s 3.75% 
convertible notes, are considered anti-dilutive pursuant to SFAS 128 because the related interest expense on a per 
common share “if converted” basis exceeds Basic EPS for the period.

83

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the shares excluded from the calculation of the denominator for Basic and Diluted 
EPS due to their anti-dilutive effect for the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Shares excluded from epS 

year ended october 31,

Denominator Due to anti-dilutive effect 
Shares underlying stock options, restricted stock units and warrants 
0.25% Convertible senior notes 
3.75% Convertible notes 
Total excluded due to anti-dilutive effect 

2005 
8,374 
— 
928 
9,302 

2006 
4,178 
4,203 
756 
9,137 

2007
3,041
—
742
3,783

(13)  Stockholders’ equity

Call spread option
Ciena holds two call spread options on its common stock relating to the shares issuable upon conversion of two issues 
of its convertible notes. These call spread options are designed to mitigate exposure to potential dilution from the 
conversion of the notes. Ciena purchased a call spread option relating to the 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 
May 1, 2013 for $28.5 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2006. Ciena purchased a call spread option relating 
to the 0.875% Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2017 for $42.5 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2007. 
In each case, the call spread options were purchased at the time of the notes offering from an affiliate of the under-
writer. The cost of each call spread option was recorded as a reduction in paid in capital.

Each call spread option is exercisable, upon maturity of the relevant issue of convertible notes, for such number of 
shares of Ciena common stock issuable upon conversion of that series of notes in full. Each call spread option has a 
“lower strike price” equal to the conversion price for the notes and a “higher strike price” that serves to cap the 
amount of dilution protection provided. At its election, Ciena can exercise the call spread options on a net cash basis 
or a net share basis. The value of the consideration of a net share settlement will be equal to the value upon a net 
cash settlement and can range from $0, if the market price per share of Ciena common stock upon exercise is equal 
to or below the lower strike price, to approximately $45.7 million (in the case of the April 2006 call spread option) or 
approximately $76.1 million (in the case of the June 2007 call spread), if the market price per share of Ciena common 
stock upon exercise is at or above the higher strike price. If the market price on the date of exercise is between the 
lower strike price and the higher strike price, in lieu of a net settlement, Ciena may elect to receive the full number of 
shares underlying the call spread option by paying the aggregate option exercise price, which is equal to the original 
principal outstanding on that series of notes. Should there be an early unwind of the call spread option, the amount 
of cash or shares to be received by Ciena will depend upon the existing overall market conditions, and on Ciena’s 
stock price, the volatility of Ciena’s stock and the remaining term of the call spread option. The number of shares sub-
ject to the call spread options and the lower and higher strike prices are subject to customary adjustments.

84  Ciena Corporation 10-K

(14)  income taxes
The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

Provision for income taxes:
Current:

Federal 
State 
Foreign 

Total current 

Deferred:
Federal 
State 
Foreign 

Total deferred 
Provision for income taxes 

2005 

$ 

  — 
— 
1,320 
1,320 

— 
— 
— 
— 
$1,320 

october 31,

2006 

$ 

  — 
23 
1,358 
1,381 

— 
— 
— 
— 
$1,381 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

United States 
International 
Total 

2005 
$(438,956) 
4,577 
$(434,379) 

october 31,

2006 
$(2,549) 
4,525 
$ 1,976 

2007

$ 

  —
309 
2,635 
2,944 

—
—
—
—
$2,944

2007
$77,150
8,582
$85,732

The tax provision reconciles to the amount computed by multiplying income or loss before income taxes by the U.S. 
federal statutory rate of 35% as follows:

Provision at statutory rate 
State taxes 
Foreign taxes 
Research and development credit 
Non-deductible goodwill and other 
Valuation allowance 

2005 
35.00% 
— 
0.06% 
0.65% 
(15.04%) 
(20.97%) 
(0.30%) 

october 31,

2006 
35.00% 
1.14% 
14.04% 
(55.94%) 
16.15% 
59.48% 
69.87% 

2007
35.00%
0.36%
0.11%
(2.47%)
0.99%
(30.55%)
3.44%

The significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in thousands):

october 31,

2006 

2007

Deferred tax assets:

Reserves and accrued liabilities 
Depreciation and amortization 
NOL and credit carry forward 
Other 
Gross deferred tax assets 
Valuation allowance 

Net deferred tax asset 

$ 

  50,088 
118,122 
994,906 
 26,406 
1,189,522  
(1,189,522) 
   — 

$ 

$ 

  22,815
156,918
959,704 
40,686
1,180,123
(1,180,123)
   —

 $ 

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
During fiscal 2002, Ciena established a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. Ciena intends to maintain a 
valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal. The following table summarizes the 
activity in Ciena’s valuation allowance against its gross deferred tax assets (in thousands):

year ended  
october 31, 
2005 
2006 
2007 

Balance at 
Beginning of period 
$1,077,906 
$1,173,266 
$1,189,522 

additions 
$95,360 
$16,256 
  — 
$ 

Deductions 

  — 
$ 
$ 
  — 
$9,399 

Balance at 
end of period
$1,173,266
$1,189,522
$1,180,123

As of October 31, 2007, Ciena had a $2.39 billion net operating loss carry forward and an $84.0 million income tax 
credit carry forward which begin to expire in fiscal year 2018 and 2012, respectively. Ciena’s ability to use net operat-
ing losses and credit carry forwards are subject to limitations pursuant to the ownership change rules of the Internal 
Revenue Code Section 382.

The income tax provision does not reflect the tax savings resulting from deductions associated with Ciena’s equity 
compensation and convertible debt. The tax benefit of approximately $74.7 million will be credited to additional 
paid-in capital when realized. For deductions associated with Ciena’s equity compensation, credits to paid-in capital 
will be recorded when those tax benefits are used to reduce taxes payable.

Approximately $48.4 million of the valuation allowance as of October 31, 2007 was attributable to deferred tax assets 
associated with the acquisitions of ONI, WaveSmith, Akara, Catena and IPI.

(15)  Share-Based Compensation expense
On November 1, 2005, Ciena adopted SFAS 123(R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation 
expense for share-based awards based on estimated fair values. Prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R), Ciena accounted 
for share-based awards to employees and directors using the intrinsic value method in accordance with APB 25, as inter-
preted by FIN 44, “Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of APB Opinion 
No. 25,” as allowed under SFAS 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” For fiscal 2005 the disclosure below 
includes the pro forma effect of share-based compensation expense on net loss and net loss per share in accordance 
with SFAS 123.

During fiscal 2005, the Board of Directors determined that all future grants of stock options, restricted stock units, or 
other forms of equity-based compensation will solely be issued under the Ciena Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive 
Plan (the “2000 Plan”) and the 2003 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).

Ciena Corporation 2000 equity Incentive Plan
The 2000 Plan is a shareholder-approved plan that was assumed by Ciena as a result of its merger with ONI. It autho-
rizes the issuance of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock bonuses to employees, officers, 
directors, consultants, independent contractors and advisors. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors 
has broad discretion to establish the terms and conditions for equity awards, including number of shares, vesting con-
ditions and any required service or other performance criteria. The maximum term of any award under the 2000 Plan 
is ten years. The exercise price of options may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the stock at the date 
of grant, or 100% of the fair market value for qualified options.

Under the terms of the 2000 Plan, the number of shares authorized for issuance will increase by 5.0% of the number 
of Ciena shares issued and outstanding on January 1 of each year, unless the Compensation Committee reduces the 
amount of the increase in any year. No additional shares were added to the Plan as a result of this provision in 2005, 
2006 or 2007. In addition to the evergreen provision, any shares subject to outstanding awards under the ONI 1997 
Stock Plan, ONI 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, or ONI 1999 Equity Incentive Plan that are forfeited or cancelled shall 
become available for issuance under the 2000 Plan. As of October 31, 2007, there were 3.9 million shares authorized 
and available for issuance under the 2000 Plan.

86  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
stock options
Outstanding stock option awards to employees are generally subject to service-based vesting restrictions and vest incre-
mentally over a four-year period, with awards subject to 12 months of accelerated vesting upon a change in control. The 
following table is a summary of Ciena’s stock option activity for the fiscal years indicated (shares in thousands):

Balance as of October 31, 2004 
Granted 
Exercised 
Canceled 
Balance as of October 31, 2005 
Granted 
Exercised 
Canceled 
Balance as of October 31, 2006 
Granted 
Exercised 
Canceled 
Balance as of October 31, 2007 

options  
outstanding 
9,079 
2,041 
(599) 
(1,871) 
8,650 
579 
(1,304) 
(815) 
7,110 
695 
(1,507) 
(427) 
5,871 

Weighted average 
exercise price
$48.23
17.78
15.75
45.15
44.80
21.95
16.71
41.18
48.52
32.47
23.04
41.52
$53.67

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 was $21.6 million and $18.2 million, 
respectively. The weighted average fair value of each stock option granted by Ciena in fiscal 2007 and 2006 was 
$32.47 and $21.95, respectively.

The following table summarizes information with respect to stock options outstanding at October 31, 2007, based on 
Ciena’s closing stock price of $46.88 per share on November 2, 2007 (shares and intrinsic value in thousands):

options outstanding at october 31, 2007 

Vested options at october 31, 2007

Weighted 
average 

remaining  Weighted 
Contractual  average 
exercise 
price 
$  14.65 
17.21 
21.86 
27.78 
31.70 
41.52 
60.58 
155.25 
$  53.67 

Life 
(years) 
7.29 
7.56 
6.77 
8.01 
5.15 
6.83 
4.41 
3.23 
5.97 

number 
of Shares 
643 
605 
488 
822 
708 
818 
762 
1,025 
5,871 

Weighted 
average 

remaining  Weighted 
number  Contractual  average 
exercise 
Life 
price 
(years) 
$  12.84 
6.77 
17.13 
7.38 
21.90 
6.65 
27.60 
6.65 
31.71 
5.06 
41.19 
5.60 
60.58 
4.41 
155.25 
3.23 
$  62.68 
5.16 

of 
Shares 
302 
281 
457 
374 
689 
577 
762 
1,025 
4,467 

aggregate 
intrinsic 
Value 
$20,730 
17,954 
12,208 
15,701 
10,737 
4,385 
— 
— 
$81,715 

aggregate 
intrinsic 
Value
$10,279
8,369
11,404
7,205
10,451
3,286
—
—
$50,994

range of 
exercise price 
  16.52 
$  0.01–$ 
  17.43 
$16.53–$ 
  22.96 
$17.44–$ 
  31.36 
$22.97–$ 
  31.71 
$31.37–$ 
  46.97 
$31.72–$ 
$46.98–$ 
  83.13 
$83.14–$1,046.50 
$  0.01–$1,046.50 

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
assumptions for option-based awards under sfas 123(R)
The fair value of service-based options is recognized as stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis 
over the requisite service period. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the 
Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life (years) 
Expected dividend yield 

year ended october 31,

2006 

2007

61.5% 
4.3%–5.1% 
5.5–6.1 

55.8%
4.2%–5.1%
6.0–6.4

0.0% 

0.0%

Consistent with SFAS 123(R) and SAB 107, Ciena considered the implied volatility and historical volatility of its stock 
price in determining its expected volatility, and, finding both to be equally reliable, determined that a combination of 
both would result in the best estimate of expected volatility.

The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon observed interest rates appropriate for the term of Ciena’s 
employee stock options.

The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected 
to remain outstanding. Because Ciena considers its options to be “plain vanilla,” it calculated the expected term using 
the simplified method as prescribed in SAB 107. Under SAB 107, options are considered to be “plain vanilla” if they 
have the following basic characteristics: granted “at-the-money”; exercisability is conditioned upon service through 
the vesting date; termination of service prior to vesting results in forfeiture; limited exercise period following termina-
tion of service; options are non-transferable and non-hedgeable.

The dividend yield assumption is based on Ciena’s history and expectation of dividend payouts.

Because share-based compensation expense is recognized only for those awards that are ultimately expected to vest, the 
amount of share-based compensation expense recognized reflects a reduction for estimated forfeitures. We estimate for-
feitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods based upon new or changed information. 
We rely upon historical experience in establishing forfeiture rates. If actual forfeitures differ from current estimates, total 
unrecognized share-based compensation expense will be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures.

assumptions for option-based awards under sfas 123
The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, 
with the following weighted average assumptions:

Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected life (years) 
Expected dividend yield 

year ended october 31, 
2005
58%–67%
3.65%–4.26%
3.9–5.5

0.0%

Ciena considered the implied volatility and historical volatility of its stock price in determining its expected volatility. 
The risk-free interest rate was based upon assumption of interest rates appropriate for the term of Ciena’s employee 
stock options. The dividend yield assumption was based on Ciena’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. 
Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred.

88  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
Restricted stock Units
A restricted stock unit is a stock award that entitles the holder to receive shares of Ciena common stock as the  
unit vests. Ciena’s outstanding restricted stock unit awards are subject to service-based vesting conditions and/or 
performance-based vesting conditions. Awards subject to service-based conditions typically vest in increments over 
a four-year period. Awards with performance-based vesting conditions require the achievement of certain company- 
based, financial or other performance criteria or targets as a condition to the vesting, or acceleration of vesting, of 
such awards.

The aggregate intrinsic value of Ciena’s restricted stock units is based on Ciena’s closing stock price on the last trading 
day of each fiscal year. For fiscal 2007, Ciena’s closing stock price at year end was $46.88 per share. The following table 
is a summary of Ciena’s restricted stock unit activity for the fiscal years indicated (shares and fair value in thousands):

Balance as of October 31, 2004 
Granted 
Vested 
Canceled or forfeited 
Balance as of October 31, 2005 
Granted 
Vested 
Canceled or forfeited 
Balance as of October 31, 2006 
Granted 
Vested 
Canceled or forfeited 
Balance as of October 31, 2007 

restricted Stock  
units outstanding 

22 
—
—
(4)
18 
261 
(64)
(53)
162 
1,216
(176)
(67)
1,135 

Weighted average 
grant Date Fair 
Value per Share 
$45.85 

aggregate 
intrinsic Value

$ 

  373

$47.32 

$ 

  301

$22.99 

$  3,829

$27.94 

$53,236

The total fair value of restricted stock units that vested and were converted into common stock during fiscal 2007, fis-
cal 2006 and fiscal 2005 was $6.5 million, $2.6 million and $0.0 million, respectively. The weighted average fair value 
of each restricted stock unit granted by Ciena in fiscal 2007 and 2006 was $28.36 and $19.47, respectively.

assumptions for Restricted stock Unit awards under sfas 123(R) and sfas 123
The fair value of each restricted stock unit award is estimated using the intrinsic value method which is based on the 
closing price on the date of grant. Share-based expense for service-based restricted stock unit awards is recognized, 
net of estimated forfeitures, ratably over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Share-based expense for performance-based restricted stock unit awards, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized 
ratably over the performance period based upon Ciena’s determination of whether it is probable that the performance 
targets will be achieved. At each reporting period, Ciena reassesses the probability of achieving the performance tar-
gets and the performance period required to meet those targets. The estimation of whether the performance targets 
will be achieved involves judgment, and the estimate of expense is revised periodically based on the probability of 
achieving the performance targets. Revisions are reflected in the period in which the estimate is changed. If any per-
formance goals are not met, no compensation cost is ultimately recognized and, to the extent previously recognized, 
compensation cost is reversed.

The weighted average fair value of each restricted stock unit granted during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2006 was $28.36 
and $19.47, respectively. No restricted stock unit awards were made during fiscal 2005.

89

 
 
 
 
 
2003 employee stock Purchase Plan
In March 2003, Ciena shareholders approved the ESPP, which has a ten-year term and originally authorized the issu-
ance of 2.9 million shares. At the 2005 annual meeting, Ciena shareholders approved an amendment increasing the 
number of shares available to 3.6 million and adopting an “evergreen” provision that on December 31 of each year 
provides for an increase in the number of shares available by up to 0.6 million shares, provided that the total number 
of shares available shall not exceed 3.6 million. Pursuant to the evergreen provision, the maximum number of shares 
that may be added to the ESPP during the remainder of its ten-year term is 3.4 million.

Under the ESPP, eligible employees may enroll in an offer period during certain open enrollment periods. New offer 
periods begin March 16 and September 16 of each year.

Prior to the offer period commencing September 15, 2006, (i) each offer period consisted of four six-month purchase 
periods during which employee payroll deductions were accumulated and used to purchase shares of common stock; 
and (ii) the purchase price of the shares was 15% less than the fair market value on either the first day of an offer 
period or the last day of a purchase period, whichever was lower. In addition, if the fair market value on the purchase 
date was less than the fair market value on the first day of an offer period, then participants automatically com-
menced a new offer period.

On May 30, 2006, the Compensation Committee amended the ESPP, effective September 15, 2006, to shorten the 
offer period under the ESPP to six months. As a result of this change, the offer period and any purchase period will be 
the same six-month period. Under the amended ESPP, the applicable purchase price equals 95% of the fair market 
value of Ciena common stock on the last day of each purchase period. Employees enrolled with offer periods com-
menced prior to September 15, 2006, will be permitted to complete the remaining purchase periods in their current 
offer period. These amendments were intended to enable the ESPP to be considered a non-compensatory plan under 
FAS 123(R) for future offering periods.

The following table is a summary of ESPP activity for the fiscal years indicated (shares and fair value in thousands):

Balance as of October 31, 2004 
Issued March 15, 2005 
Plan Amendment 
Issued September 15, 2005 
Balance as of October 31, 2005 
Evergreen provision 
Issued March 15, 2006 
Issued September 15, 2006 
Balance as of October 31, 2006 
Evergreen provision 
Issued March 15, 2007 
Issued September 14, 2007 
Balance as of October 31, 2007 

eSpp Shares available  
for issuance 
2,252

intrinisic Value at 
exercise Date

(366) 

1,685

(307) 

3,264
307
(335) 
(260) 

2,976
571
(119) 
(45) 

3,383

$   741

1,072

8,662
4,610

1,137
$   581

The amendments to the ESPP for offer periods on or after September 15, 2006 were intended to enable the ESPP to 
be considered a non-compensatory plan under FAS 123(R) for future offering periods. For offer periods that com-
menced prior to September 15, 2006, however, fair value is determined as of the grant date, using the graded vesting 
approach. Under the graded vesting approach, the 24-month ESPP offer period, which consists of four six-month pur-
chase periods, is treated for valuation purpose as four separate option tranches with individual lives of six, 12, 18 and 
24 months, each commencing on the initial grant date. Each tranche is expensed straight-line over its individual life.

90  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
share-based Compensation Recognized under aPb 25 for fiscal 2005 and sfas 123(R)  
for fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2007
The following table summarizes share-based compensation expense for the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Product costs 
Service costs 
Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales 
Research and development 
Sales and marketing 
General and administrative 
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense 
Stock-based compensation expense capitalized in inventory, net 
Total stock-based compensation 

$ 

2005 
  — 
— 
— 
4,404 
4,404 
633 
9,441 
— 
$9,441 

year ended october 31,

2006 
$  1,075 
810 
1,885 
5,057 
3,415 
3,385 
11,857 
299 
$14,041 

2007
$  1,257
920
2,177
3,649
6,724
6,440
16,813
582
$19,572

As of October 31, 2007, total unrecognized compensation expense was: (i) $15.3 million, which relates to unvested 
stock options and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years; (ii) $23.6 million, which 
relates to restricted stock units and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years; and (iii) 
$0.1 million, which relates to the ESPP and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.4 years.

Pro forma share-based Compensation under sfas 123 for fiscal 2005
For fiscal 2005, recognizing share-based compensation expense in accordance with SFAS 123 would have affected 
Ciena’s net loss and net loss per share by the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share data):

Net loss applicable to common stockholders—as reported 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value  
  based method for all awards, net of related tax effects 
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income,  
  net of related tax effects 
Net loss applicable to common stockholders—pro forma 
Basic and diluted net loss per share—as reported 
Basic and diluted net loss per share—pro forma 

(16)  other employee Benefit plans

year ended october 31, 
2005
$(435,699)

61,623 

9,441 
$(487,881)
   (5.30)
$ 
   (5.94)
$ 

employee 401(k) Plan
Ciena has a 401(k) defined contribution profit sharing plan. The plan covers all U.S. based employees who are not 
part of an excluded group. Participants may contribute up to 60% of pre-tax compensation, subject to certain limita-
tions. Effective January 1, 2007, the plan includes an employer matching contribution equal to 50% of the first 6% 
an employee contributes each pay period. For fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, the employer matching contribution was 
equal to 50% of the first 3% an employee contributed each pay period. Ciena may also make discretionary annual 
profit sharing contributions up to the IRS regulated limit. Ciena has made no profit sharing contributions to date. 
During fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006, and fiscal 2005, Ciena made matching contributions of approximately $2.3 million, 
$1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

91

 
 
 
 
(17)  Commitments and Contingencies

foreign Tax Contingencies
Ciena has received assessment notices from the Mexican tax authorities asserting deficiencies in payments between 2001 
and 2005 related primarily to income taxes and import taxes and duties. Ciena has filed judicial petitions appealing these 
assessments. As of October 31, 2007 and October 31, 2006, Ciena had accrued liabilities of $0.9 million and $0.7 mil-
lion, respectively, related to these contingencies, which are reported as a component of other current accrued liabilities. 
As of October 31, 2007, Ciena estimates that it could be exposed to possible losses of up to $5.8 million for which it has 
not accrued liabilities. Ciena has not accrued these liabilities because it does not deem such losses probable. Ciena con-
tinues to evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to these assessments. As a 
result, future increases or decreases to accrued liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such 
amounts are probable and estimable.

operating lease Commitments
Ciena has certain minimum obligations under non-cancelable operating leases expiring on various dates through 2019 
for equipment and facilities. Future annual minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases at 
October 31, 2007 are as follows (in thousands):

year ended  
october 31,
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012 
Thereafter 
Total 

$13,744 
11,564 
9,774 
8,692 
6,942 
20,874 
$71,590

Rental expense for fiscal 2007, fiscal 2006, and fiscal 2005 was approximately $10.6 million, $9.2 million and $11.6 mil-
lion, respectively. In addition, Ciena paid approximately $29.9 million, $45.3 million and $33.0 million during fiscal 2007, 
fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005, respectively, related to rent costs for restructured facilities and unfavorable lease commit-
ments, which were offset against Ciena’s restructuring liabilities and unfavorable lease obligations. The amount for 
operating lease commitments above does not include insurance, taxes, maintenance and other costs required by the 
applicable operating lease. These costs are variable and are not expected to have a material impact.

Purchase Commitments with Contract Manufacturers and suppliers
As of October 31, 2007, Ciena has purchase commitments of $135.8 million. Purchase commitments relate to pur-
chase order obligations to our contract manufacturers and component suppliers for inventory. In certain instances, 
we are permitted to cancel, reschedule or adjust these orders. Consequently, only a portion of the amount reported 
as purchase commitments relates to firm, non-cancelable and unconditional obligations.

litigation
On October 3, 2000, Stanford University and Litton Systems filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the 
Central District of California against Ciena and several other defendants, alleging that optical fiber amplifiers incorpo-
rated into certain of those parties’ products infringe U.S. Patent No. 4,859,016 (the “‘016 Patent”). The complaint 
seeks injunctive relief, royalties and damages. On October 10, 2003, the court stayed the case pending final resolution 
of matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (the “PTO”), including a request for and disposition of a reex-
amination of the ‘016 Patent. On October 16, 2003, and November 2, 2004, the PTO granted reexaminations of the 
‘016 Patent, resulting in a continuation of the stay of the case. On September 11, 2006, the PTO issued a Notice of 
Intent to Issue a Reexamination Certificate and Statement of Reasons for Patentability/Confirmation, stating its intent  
to confirm certain claims of the ‘016 Patent. On June 22, 2007, the district court issued an order lifting the stay of the 

92  Ciena Corporation 10-K

case. The parties are currently engaged in discovery. Separately, on July 2, 2007, defendant JDS Uniphase filed with the 
PTO a request for ex parte reexamination of the ‘016 Patent and a request that the district court reinstate the stay of 
the case on the basis of its reexamination request. On November 20, 2007, the PTO granted the request for reexamina-
tion in part, including only claim 12 of the ‘016 Patent in the scope of its reexamination. On November 28, 2007, 
based on the PTO’s rationale in granting reexamination, defendant JDS Uniphase filed with the PTO another request for 
ex parte reexamination of claim 11 of the ‘016 Patent. The court has not ruled on the motion to reinstate the stay. On 
December 11, 2007, the district court continued the final pretrial conference to June 16, 2008. The case has not yet 
been scheduled for trial. Ciena is not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter at this time or to reasonably 
estimate the amount or range of the potential loss, if any, that might result from an adverse resolution of this matter. 
Ciena believes that it has valid defenses to the lawsuit and intends to defend it vigorously.

As a result of our merger with ONI Systems Corp. in June 2002, Ciena became a defendant in a securities class action 
lawsuit. Beginning in August 2001, a number of substantially identical class action complaints alleging violations of 
the federal securities laws were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. These 
complaints name ONI, Hugh C. Martin, ONI’s former chairman, president and chief executive officer; Chris A. Davis, 
ONI’s former executive vice president, chief financial officer and administrative officer; and certain underwriters of 
ONI’s initial public offering as defendants. The complaints were consolidated into a single action, and a consolidated 
amended complaint was filed on April 24, 2002. The amended complaint alleges, among other things, that the 
underwriter defendants violated the securities laws by failing to disclose alleged compensation arrangements (such as 
undisclosed commissions or stock stabilization practices) in the initial public offering’s registration statement and by 
engaging in manipulative practices to artificially inflate the price of ONI’s common stock after the initial public offer-
ing. The amended complaint also alleges that ONI and the named former officers violated the securities laws on the 
basis of an alleged failure to disclose the underwriters’ alleged compensation arrangements and manipulative prac-
tices. No specific amount of damages has been claimed. Similar complaints have been filed against more than 300 
other issuers that have had initial public offerings since 1998, and all of these actions have been included in a single 
coordinated proceeding. Mr. Martin and Ms. Davis have been dismissed from the action without prejudice pursuant to 
a tolling agreement. In July 2004, following mediated settlement negotiations, the plaintiffs, the issuer defendants 
(including Ciena), and their insurers entered into a settlement agreement, whereby the plaintiffs’ cases against the 
issuers would be dismissed, the insurers would agree to guarantee a recovery by the plaintiffs from the underwriter 
defendants of at least $1 billion, and the issuer defendants would agree to assign or surrender to the plaintiffs certain 
claims the issuers may have against the underwriters. The settlement agreement did not require Ciena to pay any 
amount toward the settlement or to make any other payments. In October 2004, the district court certified a class 
with respect to the Section 10(b) claims in six “focus cases” selected out of all of the consolidated cases, which cases 
did not include Ciena, and which decision was appealed by the underwriter defendants to the U.S. Court of Appeals 
for the Second Circuit. On February 15, 2005, the district court granted the motion filed by the plaintiffs and issuer 
defendants for preliminary approval of the settlement agreement, subject to certain modifications to the proposed bar 
order, and on August 31, 2005, the district court issued a preliminary order approving the revised stipulated settle-
ment agreement. On December 5, 2006, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacated the district court’s 
grant of class certification in the six focus cases. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit denied plaintiffs’ petition for 
rehearing. In light of the Second Circuit’s decision, the parties agreed that the settlement could not be approved. On 
June 25, 2007, the district court approved a stipulation filed by the plaintiffs and the issuer defendants terminating 
the proposed settlement. On August 14, 2007, the plaintiffs filed second amended complaints against the defendants 
in the six focus cases, as well as a set of amended master allegations against the other issuer defendants, including 
changes to the definition of the purported class of investors. On September 27, 2007, the plaintiffs filed a motion for 
class certification based on their amended complaints and allegations. On November 12, 2007, the defendants in the 
six focus cases moved to dismiss the second amended complaints. Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, 
Ciena cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter at this time.

In addition to the matters described above, Ciena is subject to various legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising 
in the ordinary course of its business. Ciena does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have 
a material effect on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

93

(18)  entity Wide Disclosures
The following table reflects Ciena’s geographic distribution of revenue based on the location of the purchaser. 
Revenue attributable to geographic regions outside of the United States is reflected as International revenue, with any 
country accounting for greater than 10% of total revenue in the period specifically identified. For the periods below, 
Ciena’s geographic distribution of revenue was as follows (in thousands, except percentage data):

United States 
United Kingdom 
International 
Total 

2005 
$340,774 
N/A 
86,483 
$427,257 

%* 
79.8 
— 
20.2 
100.0 

2006 
$423,687 
N/A 
140,369 
$564,056 

%* 
75.1 
— 
24.9 
100.0 

2007 
$553,582 
100,681 
125,506 
$779,769 

%*
71.0
12.9
16.1
100.0

Fiscal year

*  Denotes % of total revenue
N/A Denotes less than 10% for period

The following table reflects Ciena’s geographic distribution of equipment, furniture and fixtures. Equipment, furniture 
and fixtures attributable to geographic regions outside of the United States are reflected as International, with any 
country attributable for greater than 10% of total equipment, furniture and fixtures specifically identified. For the 
periods below, Ciena’s geographic distribution of equipment, furniture and fixtures was as follows (in thousands, 
except percentage data):

United States 
International 
Total 

2006 
$21,934 
7,493 
$29,427 

%* 
74.5 
25.5 
100.0 

2007 
$38,391 
8,280 
$46,671 

%*
82.3
17.7
100.0

*  Denotes % of total equipment, furniture and fixtures

For the periods below, Ciena’s distribution of revenue was as follows (in thousands, except percentage data):

2005 

%* 

2006 

%* 

2007 

%*

Fiscal year

$291,549 
82,726 
52,982 
$427,257 

68.2 
19.4 
12.4 
100.0 

$420,567 
81,860 
61,629 
$564,056 

74.6 
14.5 
10.9 
100.0 

$645,159 
50,129 
84,481 
$779,769 

82.8
6.4
10.8
100.0

Converged Ethernet  

infrastructure 
Ethernet access 
Global network services 
Total 

*  Denotes % of total revenue

For the periods below, customers accounting for at least 10% of Ciena’s revenue were as follows (in thousands, except per-
centage data):

Verizon 
Sprint 
AT&T 
BellSouth 
SAIC 
Total 

Fiscal year

2005 
$  43,673 
N/A 
N/A 
43,946 
46,058 
$133,677 

%* 
10.2 
— 
— 
10.3 
10.8 
31.3 

2006 
$  70,225 
89,793 
66,926 
N/A 
N/A 
$226,944 

%* 
12.4 
15.9 
11.9 
— 
— 
40.2 

%*
—
12.8
25.3

2007 

N/A 
100,122 
196,924 

N/A —
N/A —

$297,046 

38.1

N/A Denotes revenue representing less than 10% of total revenue for the period
*  Denotes % of total revenue

94  Ciena Corporation 10-K

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
item 9.   CHangeS in anD DiSagreementS WitH aCCountantS on 

aCCounting anD FinanCiaL DiSCLoSure

None.

item 9a.   ControLS anD proCeDureS

Disclosure Controls and procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, Ciena carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the 
participation of Ciena’s management, including Ciena’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of Ciena’s 
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended). Based upon this evaluation, Ciena’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded 
that Ciena’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in internal Control over Financial reporting
There was no change in Ciena’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that has 
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Ciena’s internal control over financial reporting.

95

report of management on internal Control over Financial reporting
The management of Ciena Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over 
financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

The internal control over financial reporting at Ciena Corporation was designed to provide reasonable assurance 
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over 
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

•	 pertain	to	the	maintenance	of	records	that,	in	reasonable	detail,	accurately	and	fairly	reflect	the	transactions	

and dispositions of the assets of Ciena Corporation;

•	 provide	reasonable	assurance	that	transactions	are	recorded	as	necessary	to	permit	preparation	of	financial	
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;

•	 provide	reasonable	assurance	that	receipts	and	expenditures	of	Ciena	Corporation	are	being	made	only	in	

accordance with authorization of management and directors of Ciena Corporation; and

•	 provide	reasonable	assurance	regarding	prevention	or	timely	detection	of	unauthorized	acquisition,	use	or	dis-

position of assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.

Management of Ciena Corporation assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting 
as of October 31, 2007. Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial 
reporting described in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management determined that, as of October 31, 2007, Ciena 
Corporation maintained effective internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assess-
ment with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, who audited and reported on the con-
solidated financial statements of Ciena Corporation included in this annual report, has also audited the effectiveness 
of Ciena Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2007, as stated in its report appear-
ing under Item 8 of part II of this annual report.

/s/ Gary B. Smith 

Gary B. Smith 

/s/ Joseph R. Chinnici

Joseph R. Chinnici

President and Chief Executive Officer 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007

item 9B.  otHer inFormation
None.

96  Ciena Corporation 10-K

PaRT III

item 10.   DireCtorS, eXeCutiVe oFFiCerS anD  

Corporate goVernanCe

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, information relating to Ciena’s directors and executive officers is 
set forth in Part I of this annual report under the caption Item 1. “Business—Directors and Executive Officers.”

Additional information concerning our Audit Committee and regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the 
Exchange Act responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy statement with 
respect to our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

As part of our system of corporate governance, our board of directors has adopted a code of ethics that is specifically 
applicable to our chief executive officer and senior financial officers. This Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, 
as well as our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, applicable to all directors, officers and employees, are available 
on the corporate governance page of our web site at http://www.ciena.com. We intend to satisfy any disclosure 
requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the Code of 
Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, by posting such information on our web site at the address above.

item 11.  eXeCutiVe CompenSation
Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy statement with 
respect to our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

item 12.   SeCurity oWnerSHip oF Certain BeneFiCiaL oWnerS anD 

management anD reLateD StoCKHoLDer matterS

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy statement with 
respect to our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

item 13.   Certain reLationSHipS anD reLateD tranSaCtionS,  

anD DireCtor inDepenDenCe

Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy statement with 
respect to our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

item 14.   prinCipaL aCCountant FeeS anD SerViCeS
Information responsive to this item is incorporated herein by reference to Ciena’s definitive proxy statement with 
respect to our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the 
fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.

97

PaRT IV

item 15.   eXHiBitS anD FinanCiaL Statement SCHeDuLeS
(a) 

 1.  The information required by this item is included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. 
2.  The information required by this item is included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. 
3. 

 Exhibits: See Index to Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorpo-
rated by reference as part of this annual report.

(b) 

 Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits. The Exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed or incorporated 
by reference as part of this annual report.

(c)  Not applicable.

SignatureS
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly 
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Linthicum, 
County of Anne Arundel, State of Maryland, on the 27th day of December 2007.

Ciena Corporation

By: /s/ Gary B. Smith

Gary B. Smith

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the fol-
lowing persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signatures 

title 

Date

/s/ Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. 
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D.

/s/ Gary B. Smith 
Gary B. Smith 
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Joseph R. Chinnici 
Joseph R. Chinnici 
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Andrew C. Petrik 
Andrew C. Petrik 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. 
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D.

/s/ Harvey B. Cash 
Harvey B. Cash

/s/ Bruce L. Claflin 
Bruce L. Claflin

/s/ Lawton W. Fitt 
Lawton W. Fitt

/s/ Judith M. O’Brien 
Judith M. O’Brien

/s/ Michael J. Rowny 
Michael J. Rowny

/s/ Gerald H. Taylor 
Gerald H. Taylor

Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors 

December 27, 2007 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director 

December 27, 2007 

Sr. Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer 

December 27, 2007 

Vice President, Controller and Treasurer 

December 27, 2007 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

Director 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

December 27, 2007 

98  Ciena Corporation 10-K

focused on growth
focused on growth

We’re focused on achieving profi table revenue growth that drives 
We’re focused on achieving profi table revenue growth that drives 
sustained shareholder value. By targeting high-growth market segments 
sustained shareholder value. By targeting high-growth market segments 
and high-value applications, we’re capturing increasing market share. 
and high-value applications, we’re capturing increasing market share. 
And our focus and hard work are paying off, resulting in faster revenue 
And our focus and hard work are paying off, resulting in faster revenue 
growth than our overall market sector.
growth than our overall market sector.

annual revenue up
annual revenue up

38%
38%

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solid revenue growth
solid revenue growth
(in millions)
(in millions)

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Ciena Corporation is a global leader in communication network platforms, software and professional services. Our specialty 
Ciena Corporation is a global leader in communication network platforms, software and professional services. Our specialty 
is transitioning networks for maximum business value, operational value and end-user value. Integrating expertise in optical, 
is transitioning networks for maximum business value, operational value and end-user value. Integrating expertise in optical, 

access and data networking, Ciena enables the delivery of more services faster, transforms the network cost base, and improves 
access and data networking, Ciena enables the delivery of more services faster, transforms the network cost base, and improves 

the end-user experience. With industry-leading functionality and performance, Ciena’s offerings form the foundation for 
the end-user experience. With industry-leading functionality and performance, Ciena’s offerings form the foundation for 

many of the largest, most reliable and sophisticated telco, cable/MSO, enterprise and government networks across the globe.
many of the largest, most reliable and sophisticated telco, cable/MSO, enterprise and government networks across the globe.

corporate information
corporate information

operating executive 
operating executive 
offi cers
offi cers
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. 
Patrick H. Nettles, Ph.D. 
Executive Chairman of the 
Executive Chairman of the 
Board of Directors
Board of Directors

outside board members
outside board members
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. 
Stephen P. Bradley, Ph.D. 
William Ziegler Professor 
William Ziegler Professor 
of Business Administration
of Business Administration
Harvard Business School
Harvard Business School

Gary B. Smith 
Gary B. Smith 
President, Chief Executive Offi cer 
President, Chief Executive Offi cer 
and Director
and Director

Harvey B. Cash 
Harvey B. Cash 
General Partner
General Partner
InterWest Partners
InterWest Partners

Bruce L. Clafl in
Bruce L. Clafl in
Retired, President and CEO
Retired, President and CEO
3Com Corporation
3Com Corporation

Lawton W. Fitt 
Lawton W. Fitt 
Senior Advisor
Senior Advisor
GSC Group
GSC Group

Judith M. O’Brien 
Judith M. O’Brien 
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Obopay, Inc.
Obopay, Inc.

Michael J. Rowny
Michael J. Rowny
Chairman
Chairman
Rowny Capital
Rowny Capital

Gerald H. Taylor 
Gerald H. Taylor 
Managing Member 
Managing Member 
mortonsgroup, LLC
mortonsgroup, LLC

Stephen B. Alexander
Stephen B. Alexander
Senior Vice President, Products 
Senior Vice President, Products 
and Technology, and 
and Technology, and 
Chief Technology Offi cer
Chief Technology Offi cer

James E. Moylan, Jr.
James E. Moylan, Jr.
Senior Vice President, Finance, 
Senior Vice President, Finance, 
and Chief Financial Offi cer
and Chief Financial Offi cer

Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
Arthur D. Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President and 
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Operating Offi cer
Chief Operating Offi cer

Michael G. Aquino
Michael G. Aquino
Senior Vice President, 
Senior Vice President, 
Worldwide Sales
Worldwide Sales

Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.   
Russell B. Stevenson, Jr.   
Senior Vice President, General 
Senior Vice President, General 
Counsel and Secretary
Counsel and Secretary

Andrew C. Petrik 
Andrew C. Petrik 
Vice President, Controller 
Vice President, Controller 
and Treasurer
and Treasurer

corporate headquarters
corporate headquarters
Ciena Corporation 
Ciena Corporation 
1201 Winterson Road
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Telephone: (800) 921-1144 
Telephone: (800) 921-1144 
or (410) 865-8500
or (410) 865-8500
www.Ciena.com 
www.Ciena.com 

annual meeting
annual meeting
Ciena’s annual meeting of share-
Ciena’s annual meeting of share-
holders will be held at 3:00 pm on 
holders will be held at 3:00 pm on 
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the 
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the 
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, 
700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD.
700 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD.

independent registered 
independent registered 
public accounting fi rm
public accounting fi rm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, VA
McLean, VA

general counsel
general counsel
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Hogan & Hartson LLP
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore, MD

transfer agent
transfer agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
P.O. Box 43078
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Shareholder Inquiries: (781) 575-2879
Shareholder Inquiries: (781) 575-2879
www.Computershare.com
www.Computershare.com

common stock market data
common stock market data
Since its initial public offering on 
Since its initial public offering on 
February 7, 1997, Ciena’s Common 
February 7, 1997, Ciena’s Common 
Stock has traded on the Nasdaq 
Stock has traded on the Nasdaq 
Stock Market under the symbol CIEN. 
Stock Market under the symbol CIEN. 

investor relations
investor relations
For additional copies of this report 
For additional copies of this report 
or other fi nancial information, contact:
or other fi nancial information, contact:
Investor Relations
Investor Relations
Ciena Corporation
Ciena Corporation
1201 Winterson Road
1201 Winterson Road
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
Linthicum, MD 21090-2205
IR Hotline: (888) 243-6223 
IR Hotline: (888) 243-6223 
or (410) 694-5700
or (410) 694-5700

Additional information is available on 
Additional information is available on 
Ciena’s website at www.Ciena.com. 
Ciena’s website at www.Ciena.com. 

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©
©

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNUAL REPORT 2007

focused

1201 Winterson Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090-2205  
(410) 865-8500   (800) 921-1144   www.Ciena.com

002CS-60908