Question : Netware 6.5, DHCP, XP SP2 and Cisco 4.6.03.0021 client

I know there will be responses like, update the VPN client or Update XP to SP3. Those aside Please let me know what might be at issue here.

Newly reformated Dell GX 620 with integrated broadcom 57xx nic (latest drivers from Dell).  Netware 6.5 server and DHCP. Computer connects fine. All is well, stable for several days catching up on Windows Updates and Setting up Outlook/ Exchange connection.  

This commuter needs to connect to another corporate netwrk via VPN and that company provided a configured Cisco vpn client, 4.6.03.0021

The moment I install the vpn client and the machine reboots as part of the installation, network connection is trashed at reboot.  Initially, it sees the server, logs on and gets 3/4 way thru the logon script.  Then the NIC disconnects.

I check and see the VPN is still in a disabled state, try to repair the LAN connection (repair, release, renew, etc . . .) and it no longer accepts dhcp and reports back the 169.xx.xx.xx as IP.

I can leave it alone at this point and I will see it connect for a few seconds and then see it disconnect again - - -back and forth a few times until it giives up.  Reboot, same thing.  I can uninstall the VPN and force a reinstall of NIC and I can get it back up to where it's right as rain again, until I reinstall the client.

But I can make all of this go away if I assign a static IP address to the machine.    

Remember, DHCP works fine before the VPN client is installed.  

Answer : Netware 6.5, DHCP, XP SP2 and Cisco 4.6.03.0021 client

Not sure if this will help, but we had a similar problem and here is what we did:

Under Network Connections, select the "Advanced" tab, and then select "Advanced Settings".
From here you can move the adapters up and down to generate a loading order.
Try moving your NIC to teh top and the VPN Adapter to the bottom.

Hope this helps.