Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to wireless discovery mechanism that facilitates the deployment and configuration of managed access elements in a wireless network system. In one embodiment, the present invention can be utilized to achieve a viral wireless discovery and configuration mechanism wherein un-configured access elements discovery network devices with which to exchange configuration information through wireless messages transmitted by configured access elements. Once configured, the newly installed access elements may then provide wireless messages to other un-configured access elements which receive configuration information in the same manner. In other embodiments, the wireless discovery mechanism can be used alternatively, as a supplement to, or as part of an enhancement to Layer 2 and 3 discovery mechanisms.