If it makes any difference, here is my experience with RV042 and RV082. I standardized on them for my clients in 2005, so have been using them for almost 8 years now. There have been times that I have loved them and times that I have hated them, but overall, I am still comfortable using them.
** pertaining to the web admin login issue: you may have bad hardware - get it replaced under warranty. I can verify that the latest V3 firmware works reliably for RV042 and RV082 (same version). With that said, it can be quirky. I just had this problem with the RV082 running an earlier firmware version (4.1.somehting) After upgrading firmware the router has been running for a week with no issue, and I just tested remote login again. As a last resort before you RMA, use the reset button (hold for 10-15 seconds) to wipe the config and return to factory defaults, then flash the latest firmware using IE, not Firefox. To be safe, go into the web management and return to factory defaults again. As a last step before programming, go to the VPN Client Access page and Generate a new certificate. This will replace the SSL certificate for the entire device, not just QuickVPN (which we are ignoring). Now reboot and reprogram.
IN GENERAL:
Biggest problems:
1) QuickVPN is a horrible tease. You could take it on a month-long romantic getaway in the Carribean and never get any action. Just pretend it doesn't exist, which is easy because the other 3 VPN options work great.
2) RV042 hardware issues present as sporadic internet issues, looks like problems with the ISP, but it's not. The only true test is to replace with new or known-working hardware and see if there is a difference. I keep a spare on-hand.
3) RV042 configuration can get corrupted and require resetting to factory defaults, then reprogramming. Not sure of cause but can happen after firmware upgrades. SSL certificate gets corrupted, and hard to find if you don't know where it is - have to reset it in the QuickVPN page (OF ALL PLACES!!!!)
4) Also, RV082 V2 firmware is BROKEN. There is an underlying bug that is hard to nail down but causes internet slowness and outages. If you have V2 hardware, get it RMA'd for a V3 unit, if you have V1 hardware, downgrade to the latest V1 firmware.
Historically, at under $300, the RV082 is the cheapest rackmountable router I have found, especially with the 2nd WAN/DMZ port and internal power supply. The RV042 is easily the cheapest router of its feature set avaliable. I find both models to be HIGHLY reliable as normal routers. For the most part, they run as intended for many years and do not require rebooting. Right now I have about 50% of my clients on each model. I have 9 RV042's in service and 8 of those are still V1 hardware. Only one is V3, and it does run noticeably faster than the others, especially the management GUI. I have not tried the new RV042G.
The RV042 V3 is running firmware v4.2.1.02 I have not accessed it in about a month, and just logged into it remotely with no issue. I have never had any troubles with this unit. I installed it a couple months ago, and when I did, I reset it to defaults, upgraded the firmware, reset to defaults again, and then programmed.
I also checked a handful of the RV042 V1 units and no problems logging in there either, some I haven't touched since last year. They are running firmware 1.3.12.19-tm. I think I tried the 1.3.13.x and had problems, can't remember.
I have had some issue with failures of the RV042 V1 hardware, but only after many years of reliable use. The only symptoms are internet outages that look like ISP issues, and the routers develop a "singing" sound from an inductor coil in the power supply section of the mainboard. I have tried replacing the caps in this section as there are many articles on this issue, but no luck. At the price of these, it's better to just get a new V3 unit and enjoy the new GUI.
Good luck!!
