an optical multiplexer is provided that includes a reconfigurable switching fabric with a number of inputs and outputs . in addition , the reconfigurable switching fabric employs vlsoas that facilitate at least partial reconfiguration of the switching fabric by serving as switches to add , drop or pass - through one or more optical signals received at the inputs of the reconfigurable switching fabric . in some cases , one or more of the vlsoas also serve to amplify one or more optical signals so as to compensate for losses that may be experienced by the signal in transit through the switching fabric , or elsewhere . finally , this example of the optical multiplexer includes a wavelength division multiplexer coupled to the reconfigurable switching fabric and configured to multiplex at least some of the optical signals received from outputs of the reconfigurable switching fabric .