a method is provided for establishing a service connection between first and second network nodes in a wdm optical network for a plurality of network users . the method begins by receiving , from each network user , user - preferences prioritizing a plurality of decision criteria defining preferable characteristics of the service connection . next , a prescribed algorithm is used to select a path and a channel wavelength at which information is to be conveyed over the path between the first and second nodes . the selection is based on the plurality of decision criteria as prioritized in accordance with the user - preferences . finally , the first and second network nodes are interconnected over the selected path with the selected channel wavelength .