A node for an optical network includes a demultiplexer operable to separate an ingress wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signal into a plurality of ingress channels. An ingress amplifier array is coupled to the demultiplexer and includes a plurality of channel amplifiers. The channel amplifiers are each operable to independently amplify one of the ingress channels while maintaining a channel power variation between the channels within an operational limit of the network.