Client-specific mesh paths to root access points in a mesh network

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use in conjunction with a mesh access point (MAP), the computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein, when executed by the MAP, the program instructions cause the MAP to perform operations comprising:

• establishing multiple mesh paths in a mesh network with one or more root access points (RAPs) in the mesh network, wherein the one or more RAPs provide access to an external network;
• communicating, via the multiple mesh paths and addressed to the one or more RAPs, uplink packets or frames associated with at least two electronic devices, wherein, at a given time, the MAP uses a first mesh path in the multiple mesh paths to communicate a first subset of the uplink packets or frames associated with a first electronic device in the two electronic devices and uses a second mesh path in the multiple mesh paths to communicate a second subset of the uplink packets or frames associated with a second electronic device in the two electronic devices;
• wherein the first subset of the uplink packets or frames comprise one or more first packets or frames in the uplink packets or frames and the second subset of the uplink packets or frames comprise one or more second packets or frames in the uplink packets or frames;
• and
• wherein the first mesh path is different from the second mesh path;
• establishing a third mesh path in the multiple mesh paths, for multicast downlink packets or frames, wherein the third mesh path is different from the first mesh path or the second mesh path;
• receiving, via the third mesh path, a multicast uplink packet or frame;
• and
• dropping the multicast uplink packet or frame.

A method for communicating in a mesh network, comprising:

• by a mesh access point (MAP):
• establishing multiple mesh paths in the mesh network with one or more root access points (RAPs) in the mesh network, wherein the one or more RAPs provide access to an external network;
• communicating, via the multiple mesh paths and addressed to the one or more RAPs, uplink packets or frames associated with at least two electronic devices, wherein, at a given time, the MAP uses a first mesh path in the multiple mesh paths to communicate a first subset of the uplink packets or frames associated with a first electronic device in the two electronic devices and uses a second mesh path in the multiple mesh paths to communicate a second subset of the uplink packets or frames associated with a second electronic device in the two electronic devices;
• wherein the first subset of the uplink packets or frames comprise one or more first packets or frames in the uplink packets or frames and the second subset of the uplink packets or frames comprise one or more second packets or frames in the uplink packets or frames;
• and
• wherein the first mesh path is different from the second mesh path;
• establishing a third mesh path in the multiple mesh paths, for multicast downlink packets or frames, wherein the third mesh path is different from the first mesh path or the second mesh path;
• receiving, via the third mesh path, a multicast uplink packet or frame;
• and
• dropping the multicast uplink packet or frame.