Protected optical crossconnect

A module for use in a switch matrix for switching a number of optical signals to a plurality of locations in a non-blocking manner, the module comprising

• a number of external input/output ports,
• Z protection ports having each a protection switch optically coupled thereto, where Z is at least one,
• a plurality of redundancy means, each optically coupled to one of the input/output ports, and
• a number of second ports for coupling input signals to said plurality of locations,
• wherein each redundancy means is coupled to at least one protection port of another external module of the external stage.

In a protected crossconnect for connecting a number of input signals to predetermined destinations, the crossconnect having a first external stage, at least one center stage and a second external stage, the first external stage optically coupled to the second external stage through the at least one center stage, a method of repairing or replacing a failed module in one of the external stages, comprising:

• routing each signal from the failed module to another module of the same stage,
• establishing connections through the crossconnect for the routed signals to
• original destinations in the other external stage, and
• repairing or replacing the failed module.