Apparatuses and methods for tuning and switching between optical components are provided. The apparatuses and methods may be used in the context of optical communication. An example apparatus may include a first optical path having a first tunable component and a second optical path having a second tunable component. The apparatus may also include a first switch component for selectively connecting the first optical path to an output, and a second switch component for selectively connecting the second optical path to the output. The first and second switch components may be semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). The apparatus may have a controller that controls the first switch component and the second switch component to select which optical path is connected to the output and controls tuning of the tunable component in the optical path that is not connected to the output.