An optical node includes a plurality of optical input components operable to receive a plurality of signals communicated in an optical mesh network. A plurality of optical drop components coupled to the plurality of optical input components, each optical drop component operable to select a signal to drop to one or more associated client devices from any one of the plurality of optical input components. A plurality of optical output components operable to transmit a plurality of signals to be communicated in the optical mesh network, and a plurality of optical add components coupled to the plurality of optical output components and operable to transmit copies of a plurality of optical add signals to the plurality of optical output components. Each optical output component is operable to select a signal to communicate in the optical mesh network received from any one of the plurality of optical add components and the plurality of optical input components.