Abstract: A self-contained installation program having at least one payload condition is provided (314) and distributed (316) to a plurality of selected nodes, using a wireless link, that subsequently installs the self-contained program based, at least in part, on a correspondence with the at least one payload condition. Examples of such payload conditions include, but are not limited to, an ability to sense at least one physical property, a deployment role or physical address of the receiving node, a physical location of the receiving node, available node resources, group membership, and so forth.

Abstract: A self-contained installation program having at least one payload condition is provided (314) and distributed (316) to a plurality of selected nodes, using a wireless link, that subsequently installs the self-contained program based, at least in part, on a correspondence with the at least one payload condition.

Abstract: A plurality of executable software programs are received (101). By one approach these executable software programs are intended for distribution to one or more available candidate distributed network elements. Example network elements include, but are not limited to, wireless sensor elements. These executable software programs are then automatically assessed (102) with respect to at least one predetermined constraint to provide corresponding assessment information. One or more of the executable software programs are then automatically selected (103) to be permitted to be distributed to the network elements as a function, at least in part, of the aforementioned assessment information.