Optical amplifier card with pluggable pump laser modules

A system for optical communication, comprising:

• an optical amplifier card configured to receive a plurality of pluggable pump laser modules, comprising:
• a plurality of receptacles, each configured to receive a pluggable pump laser module;
• a connector positioned in each receptacle and configured to couple the pluggable pump laser module to the optical amplifier card;
• a monitor configured to measure at least the optical output power of the pluggable pump laser modules;
• a pump combiner communicatively coupled to the monitor, configured to combine the optical output power of the pluggable pump laser modules;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the monitor and the pluggable pump laser modules, configured to:
• receive a signal from the monitor indicating a drop in the output power of a first pluggable pump laser module below a threshold level;
• and
• in response to the signal, send an activation signal to a second pluggable pump laser module without substantially affecting normal operation of the optical amplifier card.