A border node of an optical network receives optical channel traffic parameter(s) associated with an optical channel from an optical channel originator external to the optical network. The received parameters are used to determine the suitability of at least one optical path within the optical network for an externally originating optical channel. If a suitable optical path is determined, an optical channel availability message indicating the availability at the border node of an optical path within the optical network for the optical channel is sent to the optical channel originator. The optical channel originator determines an available optical channel status of the optical channel from the received optical channel availability message for the optical channel.