In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the use of the IP technology has always been considered inadequate due to its high overhead in processing and memory usage. However, the use of IP technology in WSNs can provide basis for transparent communication among sensor nodes and seamless interconnection between WSNs and the Internet-based infrastructure network, thus eliminating the need for translation gateways or similar devices that are used in current WSNs for this purpose. Besides, many devices in a WSN make network autoconfiguration and statelessness highly desirable for the network operator. For this, IPv6 has ready solutions. Moreover, the large number of devices poses the need for a large address space, which is well met by IPv6. Application of IP technology to IEEE 802.15.4 will be a very important research direction. To accelerate the adoption of these new emerging techniques, a number of important issues must be addressed such as the routing and security of IP-enabled wireless sensor network and applications. In this special issue, we have invited a few papers that address such issues.

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