Hello, MichaelS.
I have the very same problem. I have already tried to ask for explanation of the parameters at topic https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?t=46123 but without success.
But I am still trying to investigate it (and has been doing so for a recent year).
If I do any progress, I will describe ...

A month has left. I would like to ask anyone again for a explanation of parent selecting/switiching configuration (or a hint at least).
I am still trying to find the answear myself but not has been successfull yet.
I thank any response in advance.

Hello.
Thank You for response.

I of course know that parent selecting/switching depend on more than RSSI. But as far as I was able to research, those You have mentioned (i.e. mesh topology, maximal layer, ...) just limits list of parent candidates.
I am sure that in my networks neither maximal ...

Hello all over the forum.
I am trying to find a proper set of parameters of configuration for parent node selection within ESP-WIFI-MESH (ESP-IDF version 5.4).

Could anyone describe the meaning of the parameters of parent selection/switching (or even the whole mechanism) with more details, please ...