A controller for an optical network includes a network interface configured to communicate to one or more nodes in an optical network that includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality of links; a processor communicatively coupled to the network interface; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to obtain information related to a plurality of services that require spectrum assignment with each service given a time-constraint T for restoration to a restoration path and each service on its home route given a margin-constraint X dB for transients caused by restoring channels, classify each of the plurality of services in terms of viable paths in the optical network, restoration speed each viable path can tolerate, and re-tunability, and assign a home route and a restoration route, a restoration speed, and spectrum for each of the plurality of services based on priority.