An apparatus, method and system for organizing a communication system for wireless access. In the method, wireless access points of a wireless network in the system organize themselves such that each wireless access point knows the lowest number of forwardings (e.g., the hoprank) required to send a user data request from a user to a wired backbone LAN of the system. The user initiates communications to transmit the user data request to an access point having a lowest hoprank in the system. The access point with the lowest hoprank may be an access point that is fixedly connected to the system, or an access point that is not fixedly connected to the system, e.g., a floating access point that communicates with users and other fixed or floating access points over a wireless radio link.