A mesh network topology assessment mechanism is provided including a plurality of first wireless routers, coupled together over a multi-hop mesh network, and a second wireless router. The second wireless router is coupled to the first wireless routers and, responsive to a message having a link assessment mode, introduces a unique delay into forwarding of the message to a next one of the plurality of first wireless routers in route to a destination device. The second wireless router has a store-and-forward controller, having a unique delay time corresponding to the unique delay, where the unique delay time is substantial and thus provides for creation of measurable latency in the message sent between an origination device and the destination device.