final switchover of downstream hybrid switch 324 may be accomplished without controller direction such that losses resulting from data u201c trapped u201d in fiber 302 or 304 at the time of switchover may be minimized more specifically the final switchover of downstream hybrid switch 324 may be performed in direct response to the switchover of upstream hybrid switch 320 by using light detection techniques as described below controller 350 may include an imbedded microprocessor computer workstation or other type of processor for controlling the switching of upstream hybrid switch 320 fig4 a 4 c are a block diagram illustrating a node of fibers 302 and 304 positioned between optical amplifiers 316 and 318 and 317 and 319 respectively in various stages of switchover as illustrated in fig4 a upstream hybrid switch 320 may include two small scale switching components 405 a and 405 b associated with working fibers 302 and 304 respectively upstream hybrid switch 320 may also include a large scale switching component 410 positioned downstream of small scale switching components 405 a and 405 b similarly downstream hybrid switch 324 may include a large scale switching component 415 and small scale switching components 420 a and 420 b in one implementation small scale switching components 405 a may include a fast switch configured to switch an output from optical amplifier 316 between one of two inputs to large scale switching component 410 in one exemplary implementation small scale switching components 405 a 405 b and 420 a 420 b may include a 2 u00d7 2.