What technique do individual nodes use to form a mesh network?

A defining feature of a mesh network is its ability to self-form, self-manage, and self-heal. Nodes accomplish this by constantly running automated discovery and link establishment protocols (like OLSR or AODV) to find other participating nodes, evaluate the quality of the RF links, and determine the most efficient routes for passing data. Distractors like 'store-and-forward digipeaters' describe older, traditional packet radio networks such as APRS, which do not dynamically route traffic the way a mesh does. 'Custom code plugs' are configuration files used for digital voice radios like DMR, and have nothing to do with establishing mesh network topologies.