In general, a branching configuration used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communication system, consistent with the present disclosure, includes a power feed branching unit (PFBU) having a multi-port DC/DC converter (DDCM) arrangement capable of a plurality of operating modes to distribute power in a bi-directional manner. The DDCM arrangement may include a plurality of ports for electrically coupling to one or more trunk path cable segments and for electrically coupling to a branch cable segment. A plurality of PFBUs may be disposed along a trunk path, with each PFBU powering an associated branch path, without each branch path necessarily having local power feed equipment (PFE). In instances where a branch path includes a local PFE, an associated PFBU may draw power from the branch path in order to make power available to the trunk path as needed.