The invention includes a method for controlling amplifier output power in
an optical communications network having channel add/drop capability. A
first transmission parameter and a second transmission parameter are
determined at a first amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, the first
transmission parameter is a composite express signal-to-noise ratio and
the second transmission parameter is a composite signal-to-noise ratio.
The total output power of a downstream amplifier is adjusted in response
to the first transmission parameter and second transmission parameter. A
system for implementing the method is also disclosed.