Abstract: A module for arbitrary configuring/reconfiguring a topology of optical networks, comprising at least one optical switching device connectable to an optical network, and a plurality of network elements connectable to the optical switching device(s). The optical switching device(s) are controllable to selectively connect thereto and disconnect therefrom one or more of the elements for switching them in or off the optical network. Preferably, the module is a pre-manufactured block suitable for insertion into the optical network, and the elements are connectable to the switching devices so that each of the elements can be either switched in the network, or bypassed.