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 Technical Report Appendix C Life Expectancy of Building Materials.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.

  • Soapbox1858@lemm.eeEnglish
    21·
    6 days ago

    Pretty unlikely anyone will want 50yr old WiFi tech for normal use. If the capacitors even last that long. I know vintage computer collectors have to recap a lot of machines to keep them going. As a camera collector myself, the early electronics in cameras are often dead already, or ticking time bombs for failure.

  • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
    92·
    6 days ago

    Technically speaking it’s probably accurate. The equipment itself is probably capable of working for 50 years.

    • Snot Flickerman@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      8·
      6 days ago

      This is the truth. I have some really old equipment going way back,and it all still works. It’s just… nobody really wants a 10 megabit hub over a 1 gigabit switch.

      • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
        4·
        5 days ago

        There are few exceptions to this rule. The one I always think of is the tape drive. 75 years on and still going strong with advancements in storage amount and encryption etc. but otherwise, largely still the same technology.

    • jonne@infosec.pubEnglish
      3·
      5 days ago

      Except there’s so much software in all of those things that you’ll just be opening yourself up to a ton of security flaws if they stop being patched.

      • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        5 days ago

        And? I get where you’re coming from but a security flaw doesn’t mean it can’t be plugged in, powered on, connected to and used. It just means it’s not safe.

        I don’t think there’s an argument that the technology has a useful life of 50 years. Usually when talking about the “life” of building products it’s about failure point, the time at which you can expect the product might fail and require replacement.

        • jonne@infosec.pubEnglish
          2·
          5 days ago

          If it’s not secure, it’s not fit for purpose. I’m sure I still have a working wifi router that only supports WEP encryption, and I guess I could technically still use it to build my network, but it’s just not something anyone should do.

          • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
            2·
            5 days ago

            Depends on how it is used. If the home automation is on a separate network from everything else with a secure gateway and no direct Internet access, security vulnerabilities are likely irrelevant.

          • LilB0kChoy@lemm.eeEnglish
            2·
            5 days ago

            In the summer of 2006, NAHB conducted a comprehensive telephone survey of manufacturers, trade associations and researchers to develop information about the longevity of housing components.

            Many of the people interviewed emphasized that the life expectancy of housing components is greatly affected by the quality of maintenance. They also noted that changing consumer preferences can result in products being replaced long before - or after - the end of their practical life expectancy.

            This article provides a synopsis of the survey results (Table 1).

            Note: This report should be used as a general guideline only. None of the information in this report should be interpreted as a representation, warranty or guarantee regarding the life expectancy or performance of any individual product or product line. Readers should not make buying decisions and/or product selections based solely on the information contained in this report.