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 :)

  • slazer2au@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • tabular@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      Damn. Does Cisco use their own silicon anymore or are many modern units able to run Tomato/Wrtt?

      • slazer2au@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        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.

      • nbailey@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        The modern stuff uses signed bootloaders, ie secureboot. Afaik there’s no custom OS’s for C9k or Nexus gear.

    • exu@feditown.com
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      1 year ago

      With enough time and motivation it’s probably possible, but that holds for many things.

  • blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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.

    • theolodger@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      This model is old enough that it’s pretty easy to find firmware online, and is not recieving updates anymore.

      • blueeggsandyam@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        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.

  • EuroNutellaMan@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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

    • sunbeam60@lemmy.one
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      1 year ago

      To crush your ComTech conglomerates, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their routers.

    • tabular@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      My limited understanding is Cisco stuff is very blackbox/proprietary. I’d sooner spend time learning how to hack them out of spite ;)

      • SteveTech@programming.dev
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        1 year ago

        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.

        • R0cket_M00se@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          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.

  • Blaster M@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    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.

  • Psythik
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    1 year ago

    If it doesn’t have Gigabit ports (minimum), it’s useless. Judging by that USB 1.1 port, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

    • tabular@lemmy.worldOP
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      1 year ago

      That’s neat, not had that before. All that comes to mind is a LAN security camera system.

      • a4ng3l@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        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.

      • nezbyte@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        You can get PoE to USB adapters as well which simplifies wiring to random IoT hubs you may have.

  • Morgikan
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    1 year ago

    Fe0/0 and Fe0/1 are both PoE ports so you can run cameras and IoT off them. The intention is to have VDSL2+ uplink, but really you could VLAN out the remaining fast ethernet ports and set up DHCP or whatever you need as just a normal router.