Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adapting a link layer address of a network device. A first input/output 410 port is connected to receive data from a first network node 140. The first input/output port 410 has a link layer address and is configurable to one of a plurality of link layer addresses. A second input/output port 420 is connected to output the data to a second network node 160. The second input/output port 420 has a link layer address and is configurable to one of a plurality of link layer addresses. A processor adapts the link layer address of the first input/output port 410 to correspond to a link layer address of the second network node 160 and adapts the link layer address of the second input/output port 420 to correspond to a link layer address of the first network node 140.