GENERATING CANDIDATE LINKS AND CANDIDATE PATHS BEFORE SELECTING LINKS FOR AN OPTIMIZED OPTICAL NETWORK PLAN

A device receives network data associated with a network that includes network devices interconnected by links, and receives parameters associated with determining a network plan for the network. The device generates candidate links for each potential network plan of multiple potential network plans for the network, based on the parameters and based on a criterion associated with generating the candidate links. The device generates candidate paths for each potential network plan based on the parameters, and selects a portion of the candidate links and a portion of the candidate paths. The device generates each potential network plan based on the portion of the candidate links and the portion of the candidate paths, and identifies a potential network plan, of the multiple potential network plans, that reduces resource usage associated with operating the network. The device causes the potential network plan to be implemented in the network.