VPN (vpnc) connection only seems to work every other time
 

Halps! This is driving me crazy. I use vpnc to connect to my corporate network but for some reason, I can only get a connection on every other attempt. This behavior has been going on for a couple of years, with various kernels/distros, etc. Currently running Debian Squeeze but I've seen the exact same behavior with Fedora, Ubuntu, Xubuntu, SuSE, etc, etc. with all the kernels/versions since 2007-08. This has been with 3-4 distinct desktops/laptops both wired and wireless connections--home and away.

Always the first attempt fails, then the second is successful. If I have to reconnect, the third (or first again) attempt fails, but the fourth (second) works like a charm. And so on....
I've been messing around with the configuration off and on over the years and don't seem to notice any effects (positive or negative) in the pattern.

Any ideas out there? I've Googled this every week or two and have never found anyone describing the same problem (much less anything like a solution!) Is it something goofy on the server-end config? Using WindowsXP, (but not vpnc, of course) the connection works first time, every time.

Anything would be helpful. TIA