A networked system for managing a physical intrusion detection/alarm includes a network of end nodes, e.g., sensor nodes including one or more constrained sensor nodes for sensing physical conditions, and a gateway to provide network connections for the constrained sensor nodes. The system also includes a range extender for connecting the one or more constrained sensor nodes to the gateway, with the range extender including first and second radios and corresponding processors to wirelessly communicate with the gateway and constrained nodes.