We present the switching equations for the nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM), for two NOLM loops in series, for two NOLM loops in parallel, for the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM), for two NALM loops in series, and for two NALM loops in parallel. We investigate the switching behavior of arrangements of two identical and two different NOLM loops in dependence of the length of the nonlinear Kerr fiber, the effective fiber core area and the coupling constant. The same investigations are carried out with two identical and two different NALM loops, where additional the dependence of the gain is considered. The coupling constant 'alpha' is kept fixed at 0.5.