An optical network includes a plurality of add/drop nodes coupled to an optical ring. Each node is operable to passively add and drop traffic to and from the optical ring. The optical network may also include a plurality of subnets with a plurality of add/drop nodes coupled to each subnet. The network may also include a plurality of gateway nodes. Each gateway nodes is coupled to the optical ring at a boundary between neighboring subnets and is operable to selectively pass and terminate wavelength between subnets to allow wavelength reuse in the subnets and to provide protection switching.