VPN disconnect at exactly 5 minutes and 56 seconds

[shmilymonica]

I have encountered a very strange VPN problem. I have read the VPN forum and have not found a solution. I have a Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless – G MN 720 setup as a router. Every time I connect my computer, running on XP pro, to this router and use VPN to access my office server, I would get disconnected at exactly 5 minutes and 56 seconds. I can re-connect immediately, but it would disconnect every time at exactly the same time. I can do everything while connected.
Here’s the unusual part, I only get this disconnection problem if I connect to the office. I do not get disconnected if I connect to other sites. If I connect the computer directly to the DSL modem, then I do not get disconnected.
I have approached my IT administrator with this problem, but he said there’s nothing he can do. He said no one else is experiencing connection problem to the office. He already checked the timeout limit, and there’s no time limit. He said it must be the way I’ve setup the router. I can’t get him to look further into the situation. I would agree with him if I encountered the same problem with other sites. However, I only face this problem when I’m accessing the office server. I’ve already installed the latest Microsoft firmware update, but it did not help. I’m at a lost. I don’t know if the office firewall is causing the problem or it’s the router 128-bit WEP security setup. The base station is currently being setup as ROUTER. Do I need to set it up as ACCESS POINT? PLEASE HELP!!!!

Thanks!

 

[John Lewis]

Apply XP Service Pack 2.

There was a problem with the XP VPN client behind a NAT device (such as your wireless router). The time that you mention is just a bit longer than I would expect to see from this problem, but the rest of the story fits.

On another note, if you are missing SP2, you are likely missing some other important security fixes. I would look into that as well.