XBee3 network: wondering about topology communication flow and mounting

XBee & XBee Gateway XBee - Zigbee
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So I have an XBee3 network of 1 coordinator module and 20 router modules. The coordinator module will probably be mounted in a metal control panel with its antenna externally mounted. The 20 router modules will be mounted circumferencially around a metal cylinder structure. The cylinder’s edge nearest to the control panel is about 6ft and the diameter-edge that is further away is about 8ft.

So my question is about the flow of the network data transfers. The network devices are all using the ZigBee protocol and so I’ve just been assuming that means its flowing data in a mesh topology. So, if the metal cylinder structure in between the coordinator and the furtherest router does indeed block direct RF radiation path, does the mesh topology mean that the message would then be passed, for instance, from coordinator to nearest router, around the cylinder to subsequent routers, and then finally to the furtherest router? (just an example)

Is there a way to see the flow of network hops per information communication? like in the xctu network view UI?

I could always mount the coordinator directly above the cylinder, but how to figure this out in theory based on understanding mesh network topology, or the xctu tools at hand?

thanks!

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Edunn,

It will pass the data in the fewest amount of hops possible. So as long as the receiving unit is in range of the transmitter, and it can be received within the one hop, it will. However, if it is out of range, then a rout request will occur. That rout request will report the fewest number of hops possible to reach the receiver.

As for viewing it, you can if you use the rout record function. But be aware that doing this, will turn off the automatic routing process.

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woah. thanks. Happen to know where I could read more about these sorts of informations?

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Start by reading the product manual at https://www.digi.com/resources/documentation/digidocs/90001539/

Then learn more about the Zigbee standard by using a zigbee sniffer and reading the protocol.

Look at the different functions and learn more about them by trying them with using the sniifer so you learn what it does and how it works.