cross-posted from: https://aussie.zone/post/19637893
Wifi networks and home automation systems are expected to last 50+ years.
I was reading up on the life expectancy of different building materials when I came across this gem.
Screenshot is of page 122 https://www.portseattle.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/SEA-SIPP%20Technical%20Report%20Appendix%20C%20Life%20Expectancy%20of%20Building%20Materials.pdf
I guess the ethernet cables could last that long, but they rate house wiring to a lower lifetime. Ethernet cables are not "wireless", however.
The only other wireless systems I can think of are garage door openers, but they are definitely not expected to last 50 years.
You have to get industrial hardware built to last. I picked up an all-metal network appliance back in 2015 and it’s still kicking. Handles gigabit just fine as well. Here’s a random example of the type of thing I got (the exact one I got went out of sale years ago): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FKMJGD6/
You also end up having to split out your Wi-Fi to a dedicated access point this way for another ~$80, but you end up with a rock-solid setup that you can upgrade the software on year over year. I’ve ran at least 3 different OSs at this point since I’ve owned it and it’s handled them all perfectly. I’ve only had to upgrade my Wi-Fi AP once in that time.
I've actually salvaged data from a hard drive out of a system that was literally shot with a shotgun.
I can confidently say that the system did not have WiFi or Ethernet capabilities.
Hey, thank you very much. I'm looking to dump the damn tplink I got when the hurricane screwed up things here and the previous one got fried. Being able to update like that is a damn attractive thing.
If you’re new to it, my personal recommendation is OPNsense for the router OS and UniFi for the AP. You can run the controller software from OPNsense directly through a plugin making management pretty simple.
Thank you again.
I really appreciate it