Controlling a multi-rail switch in a space-division multiplexing optical network

An amplifier module for use in a network element in a Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) optical network, the amplifier module comprising:

• a plurality of west ports connected to a plurality of rails in a west direction relative to the network element, the plurality of west ports each connected to a first switch;
• a plurality of east ports connected to the plurality of rails in an east direction relative to the network element, the plurality of east ports each connected to a second switch;
• and
• a plurality of amplifiers, located between the plurality of west ports and the plurality of east ports, each amplifier configured to amplify a respective rail of the plurality of rails between a respective west port of the plurality of west ports and a respective east port of the plurality of east ports in the SDM optical network,
• wherein each of the first switch and the second switch are configured to selectively switch individual rails of the plurality of rails to different amplifiers of the plurality of amplifiers.