Work are chucking out a “Cisco 887VA-M” integrated services router.
Anyone know if I can install some custom OS/firmware via the USB on the back?
I expect this is just e-waste but maybe it has some use as emergency switch :)
Depending on how old it is it may be a good space heater.
Foot warmer for under your desk
Anyone know if I can install some custom OS/firmware via the USB on the back?
No, Cisco uses their own silicon in that unit which means things like Tomato or Wrtt(?) Won’t load onto it.
Best you can do is take it to an ewaste or sell it to a second hand Cisco reseller for maybe €75 if you are lucky.
Damn. Does Cisco use their own silicon anymore or are many modern units able to run Tomato/Wrtt?
Cisco is an Enterprise/ISP/Government provider so no third party stuff will run. They have NIST and FIPS standards they must follow in order to be able to sell into those spaces.
You may be able to get some of their old Linksys by Cisco stuff to run tomato but I think they sold that product line off to Belkin who killed it.
The modern stuff uses signed bootloaders, ie secureboot. Afaik there’s no custom OS’s for C9k or Nexus gear.
With enough time and motivation it’s probably possible, but that holds for many things.
Unfortunately most of the features of their devices are only available through their licensing. Also you won’t be able to get updates to it without a support contract. Even if new it generally isn’t worth using at home.
This model is old enough that it’s pretty easy to find firmware online, and is not recieving updates anymore.
Not sure if using a network device with no security updates and a firmware that might be found online is worth it. Also, I would never flash a networking device with a firmware that is found on a random website. After all that, most of the features of Cisco devices are still locked behind a license key.
True… Could be useful for CCNA lab perhaps?
See if you can find the chinese backdoor on it.
Not much unless you want to learn how Cisco works.
My limited understanding is Cisco stuff is very blackbox/proprietary. I’d sooner spend time learning how to hack them out of spite ;)
That’s true, but because of that you can get Cisco certifications, which could be helpful if you end up in an network related job. Those certifications will also give you a lot of knowledge of how networks work. (I’m currently completing a CCNA, and quite enjoy it)
A few other companies also clone the Cisco CLI, so there’s that too. I wouldn’t touch the Web UI if it has one though.
Most are similar enough, Avaya is pretty close.
Welcome to networking! It’s a trip I’ll tell you what, especially when you get a job at a place with decade old network configs and get told to upgrade it while the group that uses it fights you tooth and nail.
The routers run IOS right? So does my phone so it should be pretty easy /s
Rip out its flesh, destroy it in vengeance and replace it with some raspberry pi running pi-hole or turn it into a retro-gaming console
That I can get behind. I’ve been meaning to get a Pi or equivilent.
It being a 100 Mbps (“Fast” Ethernet) switched router, it’s really only useful for devices that don’t need or use more than 100 Mbps network speed, so like PoE IoT devices perhaps.
As far as I know that is still “fast” here in the UK 😅
On my 40/10 line, it’s got way more bandwidth then the VDSL has
It does affect LAN speed, too. Unless you have your high-bandwidth devices running on a gigabit switch to LAN to eachother at good speeds.
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If it doesn’t have Gigabit ports (minimum), it’s useless. Judging by that USB 1.1 port, I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Anything Cisco that says FE is 10/100mbit.
FE for FastEthernet, right?
Yep.
Well it says it’s PoE
That’s neat, not had that before. All that comes to mind is a LAN security camera system.
Security cameras with a central continuous recording system + alerts and automations… plenty of fun to be had. Also wifi access points on poe depending on the interface speed. Got those 2 at home and it has been a treat so far.
Nice. Just received my parcels today for this fun. Can’t wait for tomorrow and toy around.
You can get PoE to USB adapters as well which simplifies wiring to random IoT hubs you may have.
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Modulating, demodulating, and routing. ;)
You can use it as a VDSL modem if you have FTTC internet
