Patent ID: 7570886

Claim:
A network arrangement comprising nodes and optical links interconnecting the nodes, characterized in that at least one node comprises: a transceiver pool that includes a plurality of transceiver modules, each having a port A and a port B, a plurality of distinct optical connection points for coupling to customer equipment (Cs-CPs), each connected to said port A of one of said transceiver modules, and a plurality of distinct connection points (OD-CPs), each connected to said port B of one of said transceiver modules; with each transceiver module interconnected between one of said CS-CPs and one of said OD-CPs, and each transceiver module of said plurality of transceiver modules configured to modulate information provided by a customer to its CS-CP onto an optical carrier of a wavelength specified by a control signal, and to apply the modulated optical carrier to its OD-CP; and to demodulate an optical signal received from its OD-CP, to derive therefrom information that was modulated on an optical carrier signal of said specified wavelength, and to deliver the demodulated information to it its CS-CP; and an optical director element that includes a plurality of local connection points that are each coupled to a different one of said OD-CPs, and at least two long-haul optical connection points, each connected to a fiber of a different one of said links and configured to accept an information signal as well as to deliver an information signal, where optical signals flowing through said local connection points and through said long-haul connection points are routed within said optical director solely in optical form, under control of an applied electrical control signal.