a method of monitoring downhole conditions in a borehole includes receiving sensor data through a network of nodes provided at selected positions on a drill string disposed in the borehole . an inference is made about the downhole condition from the sensor data . a determination is made whether the downhole condition matches a target downhole condition within a set tolerance . at least one parameter affecting the downhole condition is selectively adjusted if the downhole condition does not match the target downhole condition within the set tolerance .