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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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.