Abstract: A method of designing a network configuration comprising designating placement of a plurality of network components within a first network configuration having a plurality of sites and a respective physical link interconnecting two of the plurality of sites, modeling conveyance of an optical signal along a light path between at least two sites of the first network configuration, the modeled optical signal comprising a calculated signal attribute at a plurality of locations, the value of the calculated signal attribute at any of the plurality of locations dependent upon designation of a set of the network components included within the light path, determining a position for potential placement of at least one of an amplification stage and a regeneration stage within the first network configuration is provided.