Abstract: A network architecture for supporting switched burst optical data traffic is disclosed. According to the architecture a plurality of optically coupled nodes is provided. At each optical output port of each node, a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal is provided having a predetermined relative intensity profile such that each optical input port coupled within the network and for receiving a wavelength division multiplexed signal from an output port is for receiving a wavelength division multiplexed signal with an approximately same relative intensity profile. In such an architecture a node supports switching of the wavelength division multiplexed signals and some of the optically coupled nodes are absent circuitry for performing dynamic gain equalization. The predetermined relative intensity profile indicates relative intensities between wavelength channels for which an optical data signal is present.