Reduced topology routing in shared media communication networks

摘要

In one embodiment, a particular node in a shared communication network determines a current path cost in a routing topology from itself to a root node via a current parent node. The particular node also determines a respective path cost from each reachable potential parent node of the particular node to the root node via each potential parent and a respective link metric to each potential parent node. A set of acceptable parent nodes are determined from the potential parent nodes that have a respective path cost that is less than the current path cost plus an acceptable cost increase, and also have a respective link metric that is within an acceptable range. By determining a respective number of child nodes for each acceptable parent node, the particular node may then select a new parent node based on giving preference to those having a greater respective number of child nodes.