Abstract: In one embodiment, a root device of a directed acyclic graph (DAG) may determine/detect a trigger to learn a network topology of the DAG. In response, the root device may transmit a DAG discovery request down the DAG with a route record request that requests that each device within the DAG add its device identification (ID) to a reverse route record stack for each route of a DAG discovery reply propagated up the DAG toward the root device. Upon receiving one or more DAG discovery replies, the root device may compile the recorded routes from the reverse route record stacks into a DAG network topology. Also, in one embodiment, the root device may determine “short-cuts” based on a traffic matrix generated in response to network statistics optionally included within the responses from the devices within the DAG.