Configuration & deployment of sensor network applications using filesystem abstractions

Large scale sensor networks are non trivial to deploy due to their heterogeneous, distributed nature. This paper presents a technique to configure and deploy sensor applications on heterogeneous networks that is based on the use of virtual filesystem abstractions. The approach can augment existing sensor software build procedures with the ability to configure and deploy software, all using the filesystem framework. The paper presents an architecture to implement the idea and illustrates its use by means of a prototype. Automation of the configuration and deployment processes by use of scripting based techniques implemented using the filesystem abstractions is described.