The invention is directed to code labeling in an optical network. The network includes a transmitting station operable to transmit an optical signal. The network also includes an encoder coupled to the transmitting station operable to label the optical signal composed of a group of codes. A receiving station operable to receive the labeled group of optical codes is also provided. The receiving station is operable to read the optical signal if the label of the received group of codes corresponds to the group of codes assigned to the receiving station.