According to one embodiment of the present invention an amplification module
comprises a housing containing a plurality of optical ports. This housing: (i)
at least partially encloses at least one amplification medium, (ii) provides at
least one position for at least one optical filter, and (iii) includes a first
optical port configured to provide both signal and pump light to the amplification
module. According to an embodiment of the present invention the amplification module
does not include a WDM for multiplexing pump light and signal light.
