A method and system for configuring an optical circuit switch is provided. Configuring includes sampling for demand estimation at buffers of an electrical packet switch that is either directly connected to the optical circuit switch, or is dynamically routed to a physical port that is connected to the optical circuit switch. Configuring is performed based on the demand estimation at a port on the electrical packet switch exceeding a first dynamic threshold. The optical circuit can be released based on the demand estimation at the port on the electrical packet switch receding a second dynamic threshold, and the second dynamic threshold is less than the first dynamic threshold.