An optical network includes an optical ring capable of transmitting traffic in one of a plurality of wavelengths of an optical signal between a plurality of nodes. The nodes transmit a plurality of working traffic streams in a plurality of working wavelengths. In response to an interruption in a first working traffic stream, a node transmits, in a protection wavelength, a first protection traffic stream that is associated with the first working traffic stream. Furthermore, in response to an interruption in a second working traffic stream, a node transmits, in the protection wavelength, a second protection traffic stream that is associated with the second working traffic stream, such that the first protection traffic stream and the second protection traffic stream share, at different times, the protection wavelength.