Patent ID: 7382734

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a first mesh network switch that predetermines a plurality of redundant broadcast paths from the first mesh network switch to a plurality of mesh network switches; wherein the first mesh network switch replicates a broadcast path verification request and sends the broadcast path verification request along a specific broadcast path, of the plurality of redundant broadcast paths, to each of the plurality of mesh network switches to test operability of the specific broadcast path; wherein the first mesh network switch makes a determination that the specific broadcast path is valid as operable for transmission of data packets to the plurality of mesh network switches, upon receipt of a path verification acknowledgement within a predetermined amount of time from each of the plurality of mesh network switches in response to the broadcast path verification request; wherein the first mesh network switch makes a determination that the specific broadcast path is invalid as inoperable for transmission of data packets to the plurality of mesh network switches, upon failure of receipt of the path verification acknowledgement within the predetermined amount of time from any of the plurality of mesh network in response to the broadcast path verification request.