We examine the properties and applications of a general class of multi-wavelength optical code-division multiple access codes in high-speed optical local area networks. We demonstrate that multiple pulse per row codes with optimum threshold detection admit maximization of the number of simultaneous users and spectral efficiency. The code design problem is also greatly simplified when the optimum threshold detection is employed. Based on our results, we propose a simple and low-cost receiver to enable true real-time network optimization.