re: dell switches
the ones integrated in the M100 chassis were easy to get into, pull the out, set/unset a jumper and plug them back in. The Juniper switches they resold can be broken from the serial console.
Also, they most certainly can determine exactly what this switch/router is doing by reverse engineering. You just have to map it all out based on where the connection go, and how those devices/ports are configured.
Been there, done that, still have the t-shirt...
Biting the hand that feeds IT
