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 :)
this post was submitted on 11 Oct 2023
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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.