diff --git a/dist/tools/zep_dispatch/start_network.sh b/dist/tools/zep_dispatch/start_network.sh
index fb9a1a90de..1339ba1625 100755
--- a/dist/tools/zep_dispatch/start_network.sh
+++ b/dist/tools/zep_dispatch/start_network.sh
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ start_radvd() {
 }
 
 start_zep_dispatch() {
-    ${ZEP_DISPATCH} :: "${ZEP_PORT_BASE}" > /dev/null &
+    ${ZEP_DISPATCH} ${ZEP_DISPATCH_FLAGS} :: "${ZEP_PORT_BASE}" > /dev/null &
     ZEP_DISPATCH_PID=$!
 }
 
@@ -95,6 +95,17 @@ else
     USE_ZEP_DISPATCH=0
 fi
 
+if [ "$1" = "-t" ] || [ "$1" = "--topology" ]; then
+    ZEP_DISPATCH_FLAGS+="-t $2 "
+    shift 2
+fi
+
+if [ "$1" = "-w" ] || [ "$1" = "--monitor" ]; then
+    modprobe mac802154_hwsim
+    ZEP_DISPATCH_FLAGS+="-w wpan0 "
+    shift 1
+fi
+
 ELFFILE=$1
 PREFIX=$2
 shift 2
diff --git a/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile.native.conf b/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile.native.conf
index 3be2b8774b..947424b8bf 100644
--- a/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile.native.conf
+++ b/examples/gnrc_border_router/Makefile.native.conf
@@ -23,6 +23,14 @@ endif
 # enable the ZEP dispatcher
 FLAGS_EXTRAS += -z $(ZEP_PORT_BASE)
 
+ifneq (, $(ZEP_TOPO_FILE))
+  FLAGS_EXTRAS += --topology $(ZEP_TOPO_FILE)
+endif
+
+ifeq (1, $(ZEP_MONITOR))
+  FLAGS_EXTRAS += --monitor
+endif
+
 # Configure terminal parameters
 TERMDEPS += host-tools
 TERMPROG_FLAGS = $(FLAGS_EXTRAS) $(ELFFILE) $(IPV6_PREFIX)