Establishing communication between entities in a shared network

A method, system, and/or computer program product establishes a communication session between two entities on a shared network. A request to locate a desired entity on a shared network, which hosts one or more entities that are unknown to a requesting entity, is received from the requesting entity. A desired environment with which the desired entity is associated is selected by the requesting entity. An inquiry packet is broadcast to all entities on the shared network. The inquiry packet, which does not specify a data link layer by which any particular entity communicates with the shared network, includes a request for an identity of any entity on the shared network that is assigned to the desired environment. A response to the inquiry packet provides an identity and data link layer address of the desired entity, thus enabling the establishment of a communication session between the requesting and desired entities.