In an optical packet switch, NW wavelengths, over which inputted optical
packets may be switched, are grouped into KG groups of wavelengths, where
NW and KG are integers greater than one. The KG groups of wavelengths are
characterized in that each of the KG groups of wavelengths is allocated
to optical packets distinguished from other optical packets by at least
one attribute of at least one packet characteristic. Each one inputted
optical packet is switched over a wavelength having an available
transmission resource selected from among wavelengths in one of the KG
groups of wavelengths that is matched to the one inputted optical packet
by correspondence of attributes of the at least one packet
characteristic. Related apparatus and methods are also described.