One embodiment is directed to a system in which an end node and a boundary link optimizer node are communicatively coupled to an ETHERNET network. The end node is communicatively coupled to the ETHERNET network using a boundary link that is connected to an edge of the ETHERNET network. A virtual local area network (VLAN) is established in the ETHERNET network that includes a first end point at the edge of the ETHERNET network and a second end point at the boundary link optimizer node. The boundary link optimizer node is configured to: receive ETHERNET packets that include data for the plurality of streams of digital samples; extract the data for the plurality of streams from the received ETHERNET packets; bundle the data for the streams of digital samples; and communicate, to the end node over the VLAN, the bundled data for the streams of digital samples in ETHERNET packets.