diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
index f28dcdb..a6af018 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitor.java
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@
     private final ConcurrentMap<ProviderId, HostProvider> hostProviders;
 
     private static final long DEFAULT_PROBE_RATE = 30000; // milliseconds
+    private static final byte[] ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS = MacAddress.ZERO.toBytes();
     private long probeRate = DEFAULT_PROBE_RATE;
 
     private Timeout timeout;
@@ -215,15 +216,15 @@
            .setProtocolAddressLength((byte) IpAddress.INET_BYTE_LENGTH)
            .setOpCode(ARP.OP_REQUEST);
 
-        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(sourceMac.getAddress())
+        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(sourceMac.toBytes())
            .setSenderProtocolAddress(sourceIp.toOctets())
-           .setTargetHardwareAddress(MacAddress.ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS)
+           .setTargetHardwareAddress(ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS)
            .setTargetProtocolAddress(targetIp.toOctets());
 
         Ethernet ethernet = new Ethernet();
         ethernet.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_ARP)
-                .setDestinationMACAddress(MacAddress.BROADCAST_MAC)
-                .setSourceMACAddress(sourceMac.getAddress())
+                .setDestinationMACAddress(MacAddress.BROADCAST)
+                .setSourceMACAddress(sourceMac)
                 .setPayload(arp);
 
         return ethernet;
diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManager.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManager.java
index 16e3798..0aae62d 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManager.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManager.java
@@ -360,8 +360,8 @@
             Ethernet request) {
 
         Ethernet eth = new Ethernet();
-        eth.setDestinationMACAddress(request.getSourceMACAddress());
-        eth.setSourceMACAddress(srcMac.getAddress());
+        eth.setDestinationMACAddress(request.getSourceMAC());
+        eth.setSourceMACAddress(srcMac);
         eth.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_ARP);
         eth.setVlanID(request.getVlanID());
 
@@ -372,7 +372,7 @@
 
         arp.setProtocolAddressLength((byte) IpAddress.INET_BYTE_LENGTH);
         arp.setHardwareAddressLength((byte) Ethernet.DATALAYER_ADDRESS_LENGTH);
-        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(srcMac.getAddress());
+        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(srcMac.toBytes());
         arp.setTargetHardwareAddress(request.getSourceMACAddress());
 
         arp.setTargetProtocolAddress(((ARP) request.getPayload())
diff --git a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java
index 7405de2..654cab1 100644
--- a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java
+++ b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/host/impl/HostMonitorTest.java
@@ -20,11 +20,9 @@
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.expectLastCall;
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.replay;
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.verify;
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;
+import static org.junit.Assert.*;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Set;
@@ -155,17 +153,20 @@
         Instruction instruction = packet.treatment().instructions().get(0);
         assertTrue(instruction instanceof OutputInstruction);
         OutputInstruction oi = (OutputInstruction) instruction;
-        assertTrue(oi.port().equals(portNum));
+        assertEquals(portNum, oi.port());
 
         // Check the output packet is correct (well the important bits anyway)
         Ethernet eth = new Ethernet();
-        eth.deserialize(packet.data().array(), 0, packet.data().array().length);
+        final byte[] pktData = new byte[packet.data().remaining()];
+        packet.data().get(pktData);
+        eth.deserialize(pktData, 0, pktData.length);
         ARP arp = (ARP) eth.getPayload();
-        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getSenderProtocolAddress(),
-                                 SOURCE_ADDR.toOctets()));
-        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getSenderHardwareAddress(), sourceMac.toBytes()));
-        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(arp.getTargetProtocolAddress(),
-                                 TARGET_IP_ADDR.toOctets()));
+        assertArrayEquals(SOURCE_ADDR.toOctets(),
+                          arp.getSenderProtocolAddress());
+        assertArrayEquals(sourceMac.toBytes(),
+                          arp.getSenderHardwareAddress());
+        assertArrayEquals(TARGET_IP_ADDR.toOctets(),
+                          arp.getTargetProtocolAddress());
     }
 
     class TestPacketService implements PacketService {
diff --git a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManagerTest.java b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManagerTest.java
index f720535..e82151e 100644
--- a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManagerTest.java
+++ b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/net/proxyarp/impl/ProxyArpManagerTest.java
@@ -19,12 +19,9 @@
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.createMock;
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.expect;
 import static org.easymock.EasyMock.replay;
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertFalse;
-import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;
+import static org.junit.Assert.*;
 
 import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.Comparator;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -91,6 +88,7 @@
     private static final PortNumber P1 = PortNumber.portNumber(1);
     private static final HostLocation LOC1 = new HostLocation(DID1, P1, 123L);
     private static final HostLocation LOC2 = new HostLocation(DID2, P1, 123L);
+    private static final byte[] ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS = MacAddress.ZERO.toBytes();
 
     private ProxyArpManager proxyArp;
 
@@ -483,7 +481,7 @@
      */
     private void verifyPacketOut(Ethernet expected, ConnectPoint outPort,
             OutboundPacket actual) {
-        assertTrue(Arrays.equals(expected.serialize(), actual.data().array()));
+        assertArrayEquals(expected.serialize(), actual.data().array());
         assertEquals(1, actual.treatment().instructions().size());
         assertEquals(outPort.deviceId(), actual.sendThrough());
         Instruction instruction = actual.treatment().instructions().get(0);
@@ -520,12 +518,12 @@
         Ethernet eth = new Ethernet();
 
         if (dstMac == null) {
-            eth.setDestinationMACAddress(MacAddress.BROADCAST_MAC);
+            eth.setDestinationMACAddress(MacAddress.BROADCAST);
         } else {
-            eth.setDestinationMACAddress(dstMac.getAddress());
+            eth.setDestinationMACAddress(dstMac);
         }
 
-        eth.setSourceMACAddress(srcMac.getAddress());
+        eth.setSourceMACAddress(srcMac);
         eth.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_ARP);
         eth.setVlanID(VLAN1.toShort());
 
@@ -536,12 +534,12 @@
 
         arp.setProtocolAddressLength((byte) IpAddress.INET_BYTE_LENGTH);
         arp.setHardwareAddressLength((byte) Ethernet.DATALAYER_ADDRESS_LENGTH);
-        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(srcMac.getAddress());
+        arp.setSenderHardwareAddress(srcMac.toBytes());
 
         if (dstMac == null) {
-            arp.setTargetHardwareAddress(MacAddress.ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS);
+            arp.setTargetHardwareAddress(ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS);
         } else {
-            arp.setTargetHardwareAddress(dstMac.getAddress());
+            arp.setTargetHardwareAddress(dstMac.toBytes());
         }
 
         arp.setSenderProtocolAddress(srcIp.toOctets());
diff --git a/core/store/serializers/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/serializers/MacAddressSerializer.java b/core/store/serializers/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/serializers/MacAddressSerializer.java
index 4837e84..8e4467e 100644
--- a/core/store/serializers/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/serializers/MacAddressSerializer.java
+++ b/core/store/serializers/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/serializers/MacAddressSerializer.java
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
 
     @Override
     public void write(Kryo kryo, Output output, MacAddress object) {
-        output.writeBytes(object.getAddress());
+        output.writeBytes(object.toBytes());
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/providers/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/host/impl/HostLocationProviderTest.java b/providers/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/host/impl/HostLocationProviderTest.java
index b226fff..e42d657 100644
--- a/providers/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/host/impl/HostLocationProviderTest.java
+++ b/providers/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/host/impl/HostLocationProviderTest.java
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@
             eth.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_ARP)
                     .setVlanID(VLAN.toShort())
                     .setSourceMACAddress(MAC.toBytes())
-                    .setDestinationMACAddress(BCMAC.getAddress())
+                    .setDestinationMACAddress(BCMAC)
                     .setPayload(arp);
             ConnectPoint receivedFrom = new ConnectPoint(DeviceId.deviceId(deviceId),
                                                          PortNumber.portNumber(INPORT));
diff --git a/providers/openflow/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/of/host/impl/OpenFlowHostProviderTest.java b/providers/openflow/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/of/host/impl/OpenFlowHostProviderTest.java
index 9205517..d227116 100644
--- a/providers/openflow/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/of/host/impl/OpenFlowHostProviderTest.java
+++ b/providers/openflow/host/src/test/java/org/onlab/onos/provider/of/host/impl/OpenFlowHostProviderTest.java
@@ -213,8 +213,8 @@
             Ethernet eth = new Ethernet();
             eth.setEtherType(Ethernet.TYPE_ARP)
             .setVlanID(VLAN.toShort())
-            .setSourceMACAddress(MAC.toBytes())
-            .setDestinationMACAddress(BCMAC.getAddress())
+            .setSourceMACAddress(MAC)
+            .setDestinationMACAddress(BCMAC)
             .setPayload(arp);
 
             return eth;
diff --git a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/Ethernet.java b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/Ethernet.java
index 70a52e2..96ec021 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/Ethernet.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/Ethernet.java
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
 
 package org.onlab.packet;
 
+import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
+
 import java.nio.ByteBuffer;
 import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.HashMap;
@@ -86,6 +88,17 @@
      * @param destMac the destination MAC to set
      * @return the Ethernet frame
      */
+    public Ethernet setDestinationMACAddress(final MacAddress destMac) {
+        this.destinationMACAddress = checkNotNull(destMac);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets the destination MAC address.
+     *
+     * @param destMac the destination MAC to set
+     * @return the Ethernet frame
+     */
     public Ethernet setDestinationMACAddress(final byte[] destMac) {
         this.destinationMACAddress = MacAddress.valueOf(destMac);
         return this;
@@ -126,6 +139,17 @@
      * @param sourceMac the source MAC to set
      * @return the Ethernet frame
      */
+    public Ethernet setSourceMACAddress(final MacAddress sourceMac) {
+        this.sourceMACAddress = checkNotNull(sourceMac);
+        return this;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Sets the source MAC address.
+     *
+     * @param sourceMac the source MAC to set
+     * @return the Ethernet frame
+     */
     public Ethernet setSourceMACAddress(final byte[] sourceMac) {
         this.sourceMACAddress = MacAddress.valueOf(sourceMac);
         return this;
diff --git a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/MacAddress.java b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/MacAddress.java
index 5675a31..5c59d22 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/MacAddress.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/MacAddress.java
@@ -25,9 +25,6 @@
     public static final MacAddress ZERO = valueOf("00:00:00:00:00:00");
     public static final MacAddress BROADCAST = valueOf("ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff");
 
-    public static final byte[] ZERO_MAC_ADDRESS = ZERO.getAddress();
-    public static final byte[] BROADCAST_MAC = BROADCAST.getAddress();
-
     private static final byte[] LL = new byte[]{
             0x01, (byte) 0x80, (byte) 0xc2, 0x00, 0x00,
             0x00, 0x0e, 0x03
@@ -217,8 +214,4 @@
         }
         return builder.toString();
     }
-
-    public byte[] getAddress() {
-        return this.address;
-    }
 }
diff --git a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/ONOSLLDP.java b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/ONOSLLDP.java
index df3880f..0b33c45 100644
--- a/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/ONOSLLDP.java
+++ b/utils/misc/src/main/java/org/onlab/packet/ONOSLLDP.java
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@
         setName(DEFAULT_NAME);
         setDevice(DEFAULT_DEVICE);
         setOptionalTLVList(Lists.<LLDPTLV>newArrayList(nameTLV, deviceTLV));
-        setTtl(new LLDPTLV().setType((byte) TTL_TLV_TYPE)
+        setTtl(new LLDPTLV().setType(TTL_TLV_TYPE)
                        .setLength((short) ttlValue.length)
                        .setValue(ttlValue));
 
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
     public void setChassisId(final ChassisId chassisId) {
         MacAddress chassisMac = MacAddress.valueOf(chassisId.value());
         byte[] chassis = ArrayUtils.addAll(new byte[] {CHASSIS_TLV_SUBTYPE},
-                                           chassisMac.getAddress());
+                                           chassisMac.toBytes());
 
         LLDPTLV chassisTLV = new LLDPTLV();
         chassisTLV.setLength(CHASSIS_TLV_SIZE);