Systems and methods, including procedures, for managing wireless point-to-multipoint networks supporting dynamic topologies with relaying, multi-hop or wireless bridging. A topology management protocol is embedded in a wireless MAC layer in a multi-hop point-to-multipoint network, enabling self-organizing dynamic topology management by using link level information to make decisions for relaying data. The topology management protocol provides for a first node to establish primary and alternate associations with other nodes based on a hub path cost associated with each of the other nodes.