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 :)

@navi@lemmy.tespia.org
link
fedilink
English
471Y

Depending on how old it is it may be a good space heater.

Foot warmer for under your desk

krolden
link
fedilink
English
181Y

Not much unless you want to learn how Cisco works.

@tabular@lemmy.world
creator
link
fedilink
English
121Y

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.

R0cket_M00se
link
fedilink
English
11Y

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.

@BeefPiano@lemmy.world
link
fedilink
English
71Y

The routers run IOS right? So does my phone so it should be pretty easy /s

jelloeater - Ops Mgr
link
fedilink
English
201Y

Yeah, it’s junk, sorry ❤️

Blaster M
link
fedilink
English
161Y

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.

@tabular@lemmy.world
creator
link
fedilink
English
51Y

As far as I know that is still “fast” here in the UK 😅

Blaster M
link
fedilink
English
1
edit-2
1Y

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.

Matt The Horwood
link
fedilink
English
11Y

On my 40/10 line, it’s got way more bandwidth then the VDSL has

@nbailey@lemmy.ca
link
fedilink
English
11Y

deleted by creator

@hperrin@lemmy.world
link
fedilink
English
61Y

Modulating, demodulating, and routing. ;)

Scott
link
fedilink
English
81Y

Well it says it’s PoE

@tabular@lemmy.world
creator
link
fedilink
English
21Y

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

@nezbyte@lemmy.world
link
fedilink
English
31Y

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

@a4ng3l@lemmy.world
link
fedilink
English
41Y

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.

@Psythik@lemm.ee
link
fedilink
English
10
edit-2
1Y

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

@astray@lemm.ee
link
fedilink
English
71Y

Anything Cisco that says FE is 10/100mbit.

exu
link
fedilink
English
01Y

FE for FastEthernet, right?

Yep.

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
link
fedilink
English
11Y

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

slazer2au
link
fedilink
English
411Y

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.world
creator
link
fedilink
English
111Y

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

slazer2au
link
fedilink
English
101Y

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
link
fedilink
English
61Y

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

@eutampieri@feddit.it
link
fedilink
English
11Y

You can use it as a VDSL modem if you have FTTC internet

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

@tabular@lemmy.world
creator
link
fedilink
English
41Y

That I can get behind. I’ve been meaning to get a Pi or equivilent.

@sunbeam60@lemmy.one
link
fedilink
English
6
edit-2
1Y

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

@krimson@feddit.nl
link
fedilink
English
171Y

See if you can find the chinese backdoor on it.

Create a post

A place to share alternatives to popular online services that can be self-hosted without giving up privacy or locking you into a service you don’t control.

Rules:

  1. Be civil: we’re here to support and learn from one another. Insults won’t be tolerated. Flame wars are frowned upon.

  2. No spam posting.

  3. Posts have to be centered around self-hosting. There are other communities for discussing hardware or home computing. If it’s not obvious why your post topic revolves around selfhosting, please include details to make it clear.

  4. Don’t duplicate the full text of your blog or github here. Just post the link for folks to click.

  5. Submission headline should match the article title (don’t cherry-pick information from the title to fit your agenda).

  6. No trolling.

Resources:

Any issues on the community? Report it using the report flag.

Questions? DM the mods!

  • 1 user online
  • 124 users / day
  • 419 users / week
  • 1.16K users / month
  • 3.85K users / 6 months
  • 1 subscriber
  • 3.68K Posts
  • 74.2K Comments
  • Modlog