Abstract: Methods provide Pseudo-Wire (PW) peer address discovery in a network environment. More particularly, methods are provided for PW peers to exchange information in order to support PW service over Ethernet-based networks. When a PW peer recognizes that no MAC addresses associated with the far end of the PW are known, an address request packet is prepared and broadcast from each MAC address associated with that PW peer. Address response packets generated by the far end peer for each of its associated MAC addresses, and unicast in response to each of the MAC addresses from which an address request packet was sent. In a further aspect of the present invention, at nodes having two or more MAC addresses associated with the PW, one MAC address is designated as the primary address based upon the value of the local PW identifier, or protocol address.

Abstract: Switchable nodes (300), such as satellites (20,21) and/or gateways (40,41), along with a modified call setup procedure are used in satellite communication system (100) to prevent fraudulent users from misusing resources by not allowing those resources to be available until the call setup procedure is completed. Also, both satellites and gateways monitor traffic to determine when unauthorized traffic is occurring. Switchable nodes (300) can intercept calls for both monitoring and control purposes and deny access to fraudulent and suspicious users and communication units.