Internet connection disabled while connected to a VPN

Hi Dr.,

I am using a VAIO with XP and IE6.0. I connect to a VPN using Cisco VPN Client 4.8.

My problem is that whenever I use the VPN, my Internet connection does not work. I cannot open web pages, nor 'ping'ing gives any response, though the VPN status is "conected". At the moment I disconnect the VPN, the Internet is recovered.

I have another, DELL, laptop with the same software and passwords, and there is no problem with it.

Searching in the forums, I have already tried (without any success):

- disabling Firewall

- connect through wifi or cable

- in IE - Tools - Internet Options - Connections - LAN Configuration, deactivate "Detect the configuration automatically"

- in My PC - Properties - Hardware - Device Manager - Wifi Link - Properties - Power manager, deactivate "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save energy"

- Ensure QoS Packet Scheduler is not active on LAN


Many thanks for any idea!

That is the normal behavior when using a VPN. If your internet connection worked when the VPN connection was active, the private network on the other end of the VPN would be vulnerable. There may be a way to restore Internet access while the VPN is avtive, depending on which VPN software you are using, but that might be against the IT policy of the other network, and isn't really the best idea.

Thanks for you reply,

Maybe I should have stressed that the idea is to connect to a university VPN, so that I can access academic journals and research databases as if I were at the campus, using the university licence. Then, clearly, I need the Internet working in order to search and download the documents I am looking for.

As I mention, my colleague sitting next to me with the same software has no problem to browse the journals while connected through VPN..

I am using Cisco VPN Client 4.8.

In the Microsoft VPN client, you can go to the Advanced tab of the TCP settings and uncheck the option that says 'Use default gateway on remote network'. This will give you access to the VPN subnet but still use your Internet connection. The caveat is if you have more that one subnet at the VPN site.....

TB