Methods and apparatus for lighting control. One or more properties of light output of one or more LEDs (124A, 124B, 124C, 124N) of an LED node (120A, 120B, 120C, 120N) of an LED-based lighting unit (110) are controlled to extend the lifetime of the LED-based lighting unit. For example, an LED node controller controlling an LED may determine whether the LED will be operated in the active light emitting state based on an LED activation probability. Thus, based on the LED activation probability the LED may at some times be in the active light emitting state and provide light output and may at other times be prevented from being in the active light emitting state and prevented from providing light output.