In one example embodiment, a method includes transmitting a plurality of first beacons over a first scanning period, the plurality of first beacons associated with different direct energy beams, the transmitting including, transmitting the plurality of first beacons over sub-periods of the first scanning period, respectively; obtaining an indication of a preferred first beacon, the preferred beacon being received by a network element during the transmitting of the plurality of beacons over the first scanning period; and communicating with the element during a scheduled portion of a first data communication period using the beam associated with the preferred first beacon, a length of the first scanning period and a length of the first data communication period forming a length of a time transmission interval.