1. A method of configuring a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network, the WDM network including a plurality of circuits, each of which carrying one of a plurality of optical signals, each of the plurality of optical signals having a corresponding one of a plurality of wavelengths, the WDM network including a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting the plurality of nodes to one another, each of the plurality of circuits including at least one of the plurality of links and at least one of the plurality of nodes, the method comprising: generating a conflict graph, the conflict graph including a plurality of vertices and a plurality of edges connecting the plurality of vertices; associating each of the plurality of circuits with a corresponding one of the plurality of the plurality of vertices; assigning each of a plurality of subgroups of the plurality of optical signals to a corresponding one of the plurality of vertices; prioritizing each optical signal within each of the plurality of subgroups of optical signals; assigning each of the plurality of circuits one of the plurality of optical signals, based on said step of prioritizing said each optical signal within each of the plurality of subgroups and said step of assigning said each of the plurality of subgroups; and configuring the plurality of nodes based on the assigning each of the plurality of circuits one of the plurality of optical signals.