1. A node for an ad hoc wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes, said node comprising: a first communication device for transmitting and receiving messages; a first communication interface wrapper coupled to said first communication device for providing messages for transmission by said first communication device and for receiving messages received by said first communication device; a routing protocol core coupled to said first communication interface wrapper for transforming messages from a communication protocol format to a node message format; and a message distribution manager coupled to said routing protocol core and to said first communication interface wrapper for providing messages thereto in the node message format and for receiving messages therefrom in the node message format; wherein messages are transmitted in accordance with at least one policy-based constraint and at least one resource-based constraint; said node further comprising: a sensor device coupled to said message distribution manager for communicating a sensed event to said message distribution manager; and/or a control application coupled to said message distribution manager for providing control messages thereto and for receiving response messages and data messages therefrom; and/or a second communication device for transmitting and receiving messages, and a second communication interface wrapper coupled to said second communication device for providing messages for transmission by said second communication device and for receiving messages received by said second communication device, wherein said second communication interface wrapper is coupled to said message distribution manager and said routing protocol core for providing messages thereto and for receiving messages therefrom.