Abstract: In one embodiment, a particular node in a shared media computer network may determine a set of network parameters for the network, and a timing of super-frames in the network, each super-frame having one or more frames, each frame divided into a plurality of timeslots. In addition, the particular node computes a discovery scheduling function using its own identification to determine in which particular timeslot of the frames to transmit a network discovery packet. Accordingly, the particular node may transmit the network discovery packet in the particular timeslot of the frames. In an additional or alternative embodiment, the particular node may receive a network discovery request from a requesting node. In response, the particular node determines whether it is free to reply to the network discovery request based on parameters in the network discovery request, and if free to reply, may transmit a network discovery packet to the requesting node.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving packets from a group of nodes configured to operate in a mesh network; referencing geographic information associated with the group of nodes; evaluating a subset of the group of nodes within a particular geographic area; determining a global positioning system (GPS) location and a relative location associated with the subset of the group of nodes; determining configuration data for the subset of the group of the nodes; and communicating the configuration data to the subset of the group of nodes.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a first packet and a second packet that propagate in a mesh network and evaluating hop count metrics associated with the first packet and the second packet (e.g., evaluate the number of hops traversed in the mesh network, hop characteristics, etc.). The first packet is sent to a first queue, the second packet is sent to a second queue. The first queue is associated with a first hop count detected in the first packet, and the second queue is associated with a second hop count detected in the second packet. A buffer overflow condition can be identified. The method further includes discarding the second packet based on the second hop count being less than the first hop count. Discarding of the second packet may be performed in response to any type of congestion parameter detected in the mesh network.