A communication system includes a primary module with: first trunk and branch input and output ports, each coupled to first in/out couplers, the first in/out couplers coupled to first circulators, and the circulators in turn coupled to first central couplers; second trunk branch input and output ports, each coupled to second in/out couplers, each of second in/out couplers coupled to second circulators; and first and second bidirectional wavelength-selective switches (WSSes) coupled to the first central couplers. The system also includes a secondary module with first trunk and branch input and output ports, each coupled to first in/out couplers, the first in/out couplers coupled to third circulators, and the circulators in turn coupled to second central couplers; second trunk branch input and output ports, each coupled to second in/out couplers, each of second in/out couplers coupled to fourth circulators, and third and fourth bidirectional wavelength-selective switches (WSSes) coupled to the second central couplers. The system further includes one or more 2×2 switches coupling the primary module WSS outputs with the secondary module WSS outputs.