Abstract: The present invention relates to the networking of a large number of endpoints using a high bandwidth optical backbone. The large number of endpoints, which may be thousands or more in number, connect through a local access telecommunications networks to points of presence. From each point of presence, the connection with the endpoints are routed directly to an optical node, which provides access to and from the high bandwidth optical backbone. No intermediate network layer is employed between the point of presence and the optical node, thereby reducing network complexity, increasing network stability, and eliminating limitations on bandwidth available to the endpoints imposed by an intermediate network layer and communications protocols employed therein.