A distributed path computation element based system in a multi-layer network. The system comprises at least one higher-layer path computation element, and at least one lower-layer path computation element, adapted to provide dynamic multi-layer path computations; at least one higher-layer traffic engineering database, and at least one lower-layer traffic engineering database, adapted to provide multi-layer traffic engineering label switched paths, while maintaining layer-specific traffic engineered database in a distributed fashion; and at least one path computation element agent, adapted to provide static optical layer path provisioning, and reconfiguration of optical layer label switched paths in cooperation with the at least one lower-layer path computation element.