In one embodiment, a router includes a star switching fabric operable to
receive a plurality of optical signals each having a wavelength and each
associated with a payload received by the router and to communicate from
the switching fabric a plurality of substantially similar sets of the
optical signals. The router further includes a plurality of tunable
filters each having a configuration speed and each associated with a
communication path coupled to one of a plurality of destination elements.
Each filter is operable to receive one of the sets of optical signals
from the switching fabric and to selectively tune to a wavelength of one
of the plurality of optical signals received to facilitate communication
of at least the payload associated with that optical signal toward the
destination element associated with that filter. The router also includes
a plurality of line cards operable to facilitate generation of at least
some of the optical signals for transmission to the star switching
fabric. At least one of the plurality of line cards includes a switching
enhancer operable to increase the switching speed of the router without
modifying the configuration speed of any of the tunable filters.