A system including an instrument node and a wireless mesh network having an encryption key is provided. In response to receiving a scan mode message from the instrument node, the wireless mesh network is operative to transition into a scanning state wherein the wireless mesh network listens on a primary channel for a boPeep message from another wireless mesh network having the same encryption key. In response to receiving the boPeep message, the wireless mesh network generates and queues for receipt by the instrument node a network information message identifying one or more properties of the another wireless mesh network. In response to receiving the network information message, the instrument node joins the another wireless mesh network.