Computer hardware; optical communications network computer hardware; packet-based communications network hardware; communications network management computer hardware; wavelength division multiplexing computer hardware designed to enhance transmissions via optical and packet-based communications networks; computer network hardware; computer software to enable the delivery of telecommunications services in the fields of optical communications, packet-based communications, and communications network management; wavelength division multiplexing computer software designed to enhance transmissions via optical and packet-based communications networks; computer software for network management in the field of communications; computer software to connect various computer networks in the field of communications