Abstract: A method of controlling a network (115) through which information is transmitted in channels (?1, ?2, . . . ?n) among nodes includes: (a) providing at a node a device (108) for removing from the network (115) and replacing on the network (115) a selected one (?i) of the channels, the device (108) including a first input port from the network (115) to the node and a first output port from the node to the network (115); (b) taking a measure of the strength (P?iDROP) of the received channel (?iDROP); (c) regenerating the channel (?iIN); (d) adjusting (114) the strength (P?iADD) of the regenerated channel (?iIN) to approximate the strengths of the remaining channels ((?1, ?2, . . . ?n)-?i; and (e) combining the regenerated and strength-adjusted channel (?iADD) with the remaining channels ((?1, ?2, . . . ?n)-?i) at the output port.

Abstract: A method of controlling a network (115) through which information is transmitted in channels (&lgr;1 , &lgr;2 , . . . &lgr;n) among nodes includes: (a) providing at a node a device (108) for removing from the network (115) and replacing on the network (115) a selected one (&lgr;i) of the channels, the device (108) including a first input port from the network (115) to the node and a first output port from the node to the network (115); (b) taking a measure of the strength (P&lgr;iDROP) of the received channel (&lgr;iDROP); (c) regenerating the channel (&lgr;iIN); (d) adjusting (114) the strength (P&lgr;iADD) of the regenerated channel (&lgr;iIN) to approximate the strengths of the remaining channels ((&lgr;1, &lgr;2, . . . &lgr;n)-&lgr;i; and (e) combining the regenerated and strength-adjusted channel (&lgr;iADD) with the remaining channels ((&lgr;1, &lgr;2, . . . &lgr;n)-&lgr;i) at the output port.