A first node (205) in a network includes a non-optical transceiver (415)
and an optical subsystem (410). The non-optical transceiver (415) sends a
request message to establish an optical link from the first node (205) to
a second node via electrical signals over an electrically transmissive
medium. The optical subsystem (410) establishes an optical link between
the first node and the second node based on the receipt of the request
granted message and transmits data between the first node and the second
node via optical signals over the optical link.