  Networks are designed to satisfy given objectives under specific
requirements. While the static connectivity of networks is normally analyzed
and corresponding design principles for static robustness are proposed, the
challenge still remains of how to design endurable networks that maintain the
required level of connectivity during its whole lifespan, against component
aging. We introduce network endurance as a new concept to evaluate networks
overall performance during its whole lifespan, considering both network
connectivity and network duration. We develop a framework for designing an
endurable network by allocating the expected lifetimes of its components, given
a limited budget. Based on percolation theory and simulation, we find that the
maximal network endurance can be achieved with a quantitative balance between
network duration and connectivity. For different endurance requirements, we
find that the optimal design can be separated into two categories: strong
dependence of lifetime on node's degree leads to larger network lifetime, while
weak dependence generates stronger network connectivity. Our findings could
help network design, by providing a quantitative prediction of network
endurance based on network topology.
