Abstract: A portable, battery-powered device includes a human interface mechanism for the purpose of enabling human interaction, comprising tactile inputs via a keypad and visual outputs via an alphanumeric display; a computing platform for the purpose of hosting network management software, comprising microprocessor, memory and input/output means; a wireless router for the purpose of enabling said portable, battery-powered device to perform, without limitation, the network-specific functions of any node in the network; and network management software enabling said portable, battery-powered device to perform all the critical functions of network management, including the deployment, identification, registration, and configuration of each node in the network, and the detection, diagnosis, troubleshooting, and repair of network failures, using in situ methods. The network management software supports deployment and maintenance of wireless networks with no single point of failure, including medium failure.