A network manager (105; 431) for a wireless mesh network (100; 200) comprising: a communication interface (432; 439) configured for communication with a plurality of network nodes to manage operation of a wireless mesh network (100; 200), the plurality of network nodes being in wireless communication with each other and including a first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network having network addresses assigned thereto by the network manager, and a second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network not having network addresses assigned thereto by the network manager (105; 431); and a processor configured to execute application programs stored in memory and to control the network manager (105; 431) to perform functions to: allocate bandwidth of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to each of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), wherein the allocated bandwidth includes a first bandwidth allocation for receiving and transmitting data packets along communication links of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) between the network nodes of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), and a second bandwidth allocation for receiving network messages in network nodes of the first subset from network nodes of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200); and upon receiving a message transmitted from a network node of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to a network node of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) using bandwidth of the second bandwidth allocation, identify the received message as a data message or as a network joining message and provide data from the message to a host application (107a; 107b). a communication interface (432; 439) configured for communication with a plurality of network nodes to manage operation of a wireless mesh network (100; 200), the plurality of network nodes being in wireless communication with each other and including a first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network having network addresses assigned thereto by the network manager, and a second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network not having network addresses assigned thereto by the network manager (105; 431); and a processor configured to execute application programs stored in memory and to control the network manager (105; 431) to perform functions to: allocate bandwidth of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to each of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), wherein the allocated bandwidth includes a first bandwidth allocation for receiving and transmitting data packets along communication links of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) between the network nodes of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), and a second bandwidth allocation for receiving network messages in network nodes of the first subset from network nodes of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200); and upon receiving a message transmitted from a network node of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to a network node of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) using bandwidth of the second bandwidth allocation, identify the received message as a data message or as a network joining message and provide data from the message to a host application (107a; 107b). allocate bandwidth of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to each of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), wherein the allocated bandwidth includes a first bandwidth allocation for receiving and transmitting data packets along communication links of the wireless mesh network (100; 200) between the network nodes of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200), and a second bandwidth allocation for receiving network messages in network nodes of the first subset from network nodes of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200); and upon receiving a message transmitted from a network node of the second subset of network nodes not joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) to a network node of the first subset of network nodes joined to the wireless mesh network (100; 200) using bandwidth of the second bandwidth allocation, identify the received message as a data message or as a network joining message and provide data from the message to a host application (107a; 107b).