Systems and methods are provided for configuring routes through a multi-rail system. A method of path computation in a Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) optical network includes representing the SDM optical network as a plurality of parallel components in an optical section; for each of N SDM services in the SDM optical network, assigning a component of the plurality of parallel components to form a serial path in the SDM optical network, wherein, once a corresponding component is assigned, the corresponding component is marked as unavailable for other services; and configuring the SDM optical network based on the assigning of the plurality of components for the N SDM services.

Systems and methods are provided for configuring routes through a multi-rail system. A network element in a Space Division Multiplexed (SDM) optical network includes a first switch connected to a plurality of rails in a west direction relative to the network element; a second switch connected to the plurality of rails in an east direction relative to the network element; and a plurality of optical components, located between and connected to the first switch and the second switch, each optical component supporting a rail of the plurality of rails where each rail includes a fiber path being amplified in the SDM optical network, wherein each of the first switch and the second switch are configured to selectively switch individual rails of the plurality of rails to different optical components of the plurality of optical components.