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.
See if you can find the chinese backdoor on it.
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?
Yeah, it’s junk, sorry ❤️
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
To crush your ComTech conglomerates, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their routers.
That I can get behind. I’ve been meaning to get a Pi or equivilent.
Not much unless you want to learn how Cisco works.
The routers run IOS right? So does my phone so it should be pretty easy /s
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.
Modulating, demodulating, and routing. ;)
You can use it as a VDSL modem if you have FTTC internet
Well it says it’s PoE
