MTRP testing is best done in layers. Start with direct-neighbor behavior, then verify forwarding, then verify policy behavior.

Expected checks:

• node claims an address
• hello traffic is visible
• direct neighbors appear in the neighbor summary
• local route advertisements appear in route summaries

With 3 or more nodes:

• confirm each node sees direct neighbors
• confirm learned routes appear with additive metrics
• confirm sequence values advance normally
• confirm direct routes are preferred over worse indirect routes

To verify actual forwarding behavior:

1. place node A and node C so they cannot communicate directly
2. keep node B between them
3. send traffic from A to C
4. confirm route resolution falls back to a forwarded candidate
5. confirm preferred-route entries appear for forwarded destinations

To verify routing policy behavior:

• test BEST_METRIC with one clearly better path
• test LAST_UPDATED by refreshing one candidate later than another
• test STICKY_BEST_METRIC with similar metrics and controlled changes
• test MOST_RELIABLE by intentionally degrading one neighbor link

For current reliability scoring:

• send repeated unicast traffic to a neighbor
• introduce packet loss or weak RF conditions
• confirm txSuccess, txFail, and reliability score change as expected

• summary output
• neighbor summary
• route summary
• preferred route summary
• serial event logging for hello and route advertisements