A network node (600, 710, 810) configured to be connected in a network (700, 800), the network node (600, 710, 810) comprising: first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620), each ordered set (610, 620) including positions 1 to N, wherein each optical connector in the first ordered set corresponds in position to a like numbered optical connector in the second ordered set, such that the network node (600, 710, 810) is interconnectable with other like nodes (600, 710, 810) upon interconnection of optical connectors in the first ordered set with like numbered optical connectors of the second ordered set in adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810), wherein the optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets (610, 620) define an interconnection arrangement; a transmitter and a receiver coupled to like numbered selected optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620) so as to provide communication between adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810) upon interconnection of the network node (600, 710, 810) with other nodes (600, 710, 810) having the same interconnection arrangement; at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway extending internally from a specified optical connector of the first ordered set to a specified optical connector of the second ordered set that is offset in position from the position of the specified optical connector in the first ordered set by at least one position, wherein each of the at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway provides a passive communication pathway through the network node (600, 710, 810); a first bidirectional construct coupled to a second selected optical connector of the first ordered set and operative to provide bidirectional communication via the second selected optical connector of the first ordered set; and a second bidirectional construct coupled to a second selected optical connector of the second ordered set and operative to provide bidirectional communication via the second selected optical connector of the second ordered set, wherein the specified optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets (610, 620) associated with the at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway and, the first and second selected optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620) associated with the first and second bidirectional constructs, respectively, have positions in the first and second ordered sets (610, 620), such that upon series interconnection of a plurality of nodes (600, 710, 810) that have an interconnection arrangement that is the same as the network node (600, 710, 810), a plurality of direct optical interconnections having first and second endpoints corresponding to the first and second bidirectional constructs are formed between non-adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810). first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620), each ordered set (610, 620) including positions 1 to N, wherein each optical connector in the first ordered set corresponds in position to a like numbered optical connector in the second ordered set, such that the network node (600, 710, 810) is interconnectable with other like nodes (600, 710, 810) upon interconnection of optical connectors in the first ordered set with like numbered optical connectors of the second ordered set in adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810), wherein the optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets (610, 620) define an interconnection arrangement; a transmitter and a receiver coupled to like numbered selected optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620) so as to provide communication between adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810) upon interconnection of the network node (600, 710, 810) with other nodes (600, 710, 810) having the same interconnection arrangement; at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway extending internally from a specified optical connector of the first ordered set to a specified optical connector of the second ordered set that is offset in position from the position of the specified optical connector in the first ordered set by at least one position, wherein each of the at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway provides a passive communication pathway through the network node (600, 710, 810); a first bidirectional construct coupled to a second selected optical connector of the first ordered set and operative to provide bidirectional communication via the second selected optical connector of the first ordered set; and a second bidirectional construct coupled to a second selected optical connector of the second ordered set and operative to provide bidirectional communication via the second selected optical connector of the second ordered set, wherein the specified optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets (610, 620) associated with the at least one direct optical pass-through connection pathway and, the first and second selected optical connectors of the first and second ordered sets of optical connectors (610, 620) associated with the first and second bidirectional constructs, respectively, have positions in the first and second ordered sets (610, 620), such that upon series interconnection of a plurality of nodes (600, 710, 810) that have an interconnection arrangement that is the same as the network node (600, 710, 810), a plurality of direct optical interconnections having first and second endpoints corresponding to the first and second bidirectional constructs are formed between non-adjacent nodes (600, 710, 810).