*Question E8C15:
What technique do individual nodes use to form a mesh network?*  

*Correct Answer is  C: Discovery and link establishment protocols*  

### AI Response: (may contain errors)  

In a mesh network, individual nodes need to communicate with each other to form a network without relying on a central infrastructure. The correct technique they use is:

### Correct Answer: C: Discovery and link establishment protocols

1. **Why the correct answer is correct:**
   - **Discovery and link establishment protocols** are essential for mesh networks because they allow nodes to find each other and establish communication links. This process involves nodes broadcasting their presence and listening for other nodes, enabling them to dynamically form a network. These protocols ensure that the network can adapt to changes, such as nodes joining or leaving the network.

2. **Why the other choices are incorrect:**
   - **A: Forward error correction and Viterbi codes**  
     These techniques are used for error correction in data transmission, not for forming a network. They help improve data integrity by correcting errors in received data but do not assist in network formation.
   
   - **B: Acting as store-and-forward digipeaters**  
     This technique is used in packet radio networks to relay messages from one node to another. While it helps in extending the range of communication, it does not involve the initial discovery and establishment of links between nodes.
   
   - **D: Custom code plugs for the local trunking systems**  
     Code plugs are used in trunked radio systems to configure radios for specific channels and talk groups. This is unrelated to mesh networking, which requires dynamic link establishment rather than pre-configured settings.

### Summary:
Mesh networks rely on discovery and link establishment protocols to dynamically form and maintain connections between nodes, allowing for a flexible and resilient network structure.