A system and method for propagating a network topology model of a binary tree topology network through the network. The network includes a plurality of nodes, including a root node and at least one leaf node, operatively networked together. Each leaf node provides a propagate network topology model message to the parent node docked uptree of and with the providing leaf node. Each of the plurality of nodes that receives the propagate network topology model message forms a network topology model representing one or more paths from the receiving node to nodes downtree of the receiving node, stores the model in a memory accessible to the receiving node, and provides a propagate network topology model message containing the network topology model to the parent node docked uptree of and with the receiving node. A network topology model is thereby propagated through the network.