Price : Too low to display
Router - 4 x 10/100Base-TX LAN, 1 x 10/100Base-TX WAN, 1 x 10/100Base-TX DMZ
This review is from : Cisco RV042 10/100Mbps 4-Port VPN Cable / DSL Router
Fairly interoperable with more expensive VPN routers good value . I used this model for several years, with Cisco, SonicWall, and NetGear equipment on the other end of the tunnels. It's always a bit of a process getting VPN tunnels across multiple vendors, but I was always able to manage in the end. Another feature which distinguishes this model is the presence of two WAN ports, and being able to use the second in a variety of ways: you could use the second one as a DMZ, as a hot backup connection to the internet, round-robin between two connections to the internet, or route particular protocols across specific connections.
Fairly interoperable with more expensive VPN routers good value . I used this model for several years, with Cisco, SonicWall, and NetGear equipment on the other end of the tunnels. It's always a bit of a process getting VPN tunnels across multiple vendors, but I was always able to manage in the end. Another feature which distinguishes this model is the presence of two WAN ports, and being able to use the second in a variety of ways: you could use the second one as a DMZ, as a hot backup connection to the internet, round-robin between two connections to the internet, or route particular protocols across specific connections.
Cons Review
Low Initial Cost But May Be Prone to Early Failure . I have purchased five Linksys/Cisco VPN routers in the last five years. Two "RV042"s, Two "BEFSX41"s, and one RVL200. (Yes, I have (maybe now "had") a preference for the Linksys/Cisco brand.) But out of these five VPN routers, both of the RV042s have failed (blinking diag light) within about 16 months from the date of purchase.
When not in failure mode, the RV042 is a cost effective router and I have paired them together or have mixed and matched with the BEFSX41, RVL200 and a Sonicwall VPN router (don't know the model since I was connecting to a third-party administered site) with good results. It also has a large feature set for the price (DHCP w/ MAC mapping, 5 IPsec VPNs, VLAN support, etc...) and since the last firmware upgrade, it has not been buggy (unlike in 2006, which was two firmware upgrade versions earlier). It is, however, prone to early failure based on my experience and other user comments/reviews. One reviewer here has stated the Blinking Diag Light of Death ("BDLOD") may be due to a firmware problem although I recall during my first failure, another reviewer (you might need to google this issue) stated that these BDLODs may be due to bad capacitors. This person posted a DIY capacitor replacement guide on the web.
For now, I might just spend the $180.00 for another RV042 so I can easily load my configuration backups. My full-time profession (Patents) is not IT so there's a need to get my End Point VPNs, VoIP PBX w/ SIP phones connected using a Wireless 802.11 bridge, Real-time offsite file backups and remote desktop functionality (for all fifteen PCs and Laptops) up and running with minimal disruption. When configured correctly, having VPN end-points enables dependable offsite computing, greatly increasing my productivity. I'll then research and implement a transition plan on my own schedule to avoid unintended surprises. Note I have a 9 year old D-Link non-VPN wireless router and it is still in use!
Overall, the RV042 has a large feature set and is relatively stable. If you do purchase it, you might not be disapointed but it might be a good idea to backup your configuration settings and have a spare RV042 backup available to minimize downtime.
Cheers and Good Luck
P.S. I found the BEFSX41 to be a the "little engine that could" of VPN routers. It's fast, very inexpensive and reliable. It does have a somewhat limited feature set, e.g., it does not support MAC address DHCP mapping. The RVL200 is also an interesting product - I find the SSL VPN functionality convenient. I have used remote desktop to read my email and pull files while away via SSL VPN - easy, Web-browser (active-x only?) compatible and a no-brainer to use. Every once in while, - it has a "system busy" problem during logon but this does not occur frequently enough for me to regret my purchase.
When not in failure mode, the RV042 is a cost effective router and I have paired them together or have mixed and matched with the BEFSX41, RVL200 and a Sonicwall VPN router (don't know the model since I was connecting to a third-party administered site) with good results. It also has a large feature set for the price (DHCP w/ MAC mapping, 5 IPsec VPNs, VLAN support, etc...) and since the last firmware upgrade, it has not been buggy (unlike in 2006, which was two firmware upgrade versions earlier). It is, however, prone to early failure based on my experience and other user comments/reviews. One reviewer here has stated the Blinking Diag Light of Death ("BDLOD") may be due to a firmware problem although I recall during my first failure, another reviewer (you might need to google this issue) stated that these BDLODs may be due to bad capacitors. This person posted a DIY capacitor replacement guide on the web.
For now, I might just spend the $180.00 for another RV042 so I can easily load my configuration backups. My full-time profession (Patents) is not IT so there's a need to get my End Point VPNs, VoIP PBX w/ SIP phones connected using a Wireless 802.11 bridge, Real-time offsite file backups and remote desktop functionality (for all fifteen PCs and Laptops) up and running with minimal disruption. When configured correctly, having VPN end-points enables dependable offsite computing, greatly increasing my productivity. I'll then research and implement a transition plan on my own schedule to avoid unintended surprises. Note I have a 9 year old D-Link non-VPN wireless router and it is still in use!
Overall, the RV042 has a large feature set and is relatively stable. If you do purchase it, you might not be disapointed but it might be a good idea to backup your configuration settings and have a spare RV042 backup available to minimize downtime.
Cheers and Good Luck
P.S. I found the BEFSX41 to be a the "little engine that could" of VPN routers. It's fast, very inexpensive and reliable. It does have a somewhat limited feature set, e.g., it does not support MAC address DHCP mapping. The RVL200 is also an interesting product - I find the SSL VPN functionality convenient. I have used remote desktop to read my email and pull files while away via SSL VPN - easy, Web-browser (active-x only?) compatible and a no-brainer to use. Every once in while, - it has a "system busy" problem during logon but this does not occur frequently enough for me to regret my purchase.
Related Post
- Belkin Recertified Surf N300 Wireless N Router (F7D6301rw)
- 2wire 1000SW ADSL Modem Wireless DSL Router
- TP-Link RT TD-8810 1Ethernet Port
Product Details
EAN : 0843734000287UPC : 843734000287
MPN : RV042
Brand : Cisco
Binding : Personal Computers
Hardware Platform : PC
Manufacturer : CISCO SYSTEMS - ENTERPRISE
Platform : Linux
Publisher : CISCO SYSTEMS - ENTERPRISE
SKU : MCE88-DHRV042
Studio : CISCO SYSTEMS - ENTERPRISE
Where To Buy
You can buy Cisco RV042 10/100Mbps 4-Port VPN Cable / DSL Router on Amazon . Click here to Read More
