Got an old Cisco enterprise modem/router. Anything fun I can use it for at home?

tabular@lemmy.world to Selfhosted@lemmy.world – 89 points –

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 :)

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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