An optical switching apparatus in an optical communication network selectively combines and separates, using OTDM andor WDM, optical signal samples that are obtained by a spread spectrum technique or a combination of optical signal samples that are obtained by a spread spectrum technique and optical signal samples that are carried over discrete channel wavelengths. With an operation of bringing the second apparatus and the first apparatus close to each other from a state in which the first apparatus and the second apparatus are spaced apart from each other, the restraint of the lock member by the restraining portion is released, and the lock member is moved from the non-locking position to the locking position. The agents communicate via the KQML language embedded within TCPIP messages, advertise their capabilities and cooperate together to perform meaningful work. The method may further include scheduling the first task based on the priority of the task. The waveguide board includes the electrical conductor transferring the signal from O-E board to PCB and the flex optical waveguide easily stackable onto the PCB to guide optical signal from one chip-to-other chip. Light entering the waveguide is efficiently transmitted to the scattering cap and is then preferentially scattered so as to exit with a broad elongated light intensity distribution pattern being formed along a lateral surface of the scattering cap.