In one embodiment, a method comprises determining, by a link layer switch within a distributed link layer switched data network, a trust metric for a media access control (MAC) address used by a network device on a link layer connection provided by the link layer switch; receiving, by the link layer switch, a query originated by a second link layer switch in the distributed link layer switched data network, the query specifying the MAC address and a corresponding specified trust metric; and responding to the query, by the link layer switch, based on determining whether the specified trust metric indicates a higher trust level than the corresponding trust metric for the MAC address used by the network device on the link layer connection.

The invention is that of systems and methods for communications between one or more networks and subsequently network devices configured with a networking application for processing network based communications when the devices are on different logical and physical networks. The methods herein involve translation of remote IP addresses of LAN devices to addresses comprising headend network prefixes, to allow for LAN extension of remote to headend networks and communications between devices on the disparate networks. Data packets from a remote LAN interface are transferred to an outbound interface once translated, then forwarded via a formed bridged tunnel link to a headend network device. A server comprising a local LAN and outbound interface is further configured with a NAT module for IP address translation and an optional security module for additional authenticity verification of remote devices attempting to penetrate the headend network.

The invention is that of systems and methods for communications between one or more networks and subsequently network devices configured with a networking application for processing network based communications when the devices are on different logical and physical networks. The methods herein involve translation of remote IP addresses of LAN devices to addresses comprising headend network prefixes, to allow for LAN extension of remote to headend networks and communications between devices on the disparate networks. Data packets from a remote LAN interface are transferred to an outbound interface once translated, then forwarded via a formed bridged tunnel link to a headend network device. A server comprising a local LAN and outbound interface is further configured with a NAT module for IP address translation and an optional security module for additional authenticity verification of remote devices attempting to penetrate the headend network.