Abstract: Optical network routes an optical message from at least one source to at least two destination ports of a plurality of destination ports. The optical network includes at least one input port to receive the optical message, two or more output ports, each configured to communicate with a corresponding destination port of the plurality of destination ports, and a plurality of photonic switching nodes configured to route the optical message from the at least one input port to the at least two destination ports. In another aspect, optical network includes a monitor to measure an attribute of the optical message, and a photonic switching node to route the optical message between a source and a destination port based on the attribute. In another aspect, optical network includes a sensor to sample an optical message, and a processor to derive at least one eye diagram corresponding to the optical message.