The Cisco VPN client only runs on 32-bit XP and Vista. (V5.x for Vista).

I have no idea if it will work in a VM. I've never tried it. There's varying responses on that if you search for "cisco vpn client virtual machine". For future reference, I'd like to know if you can figure out how to make it work with a VM.

OP: Reading your post #8, it looks like your #2c is a good reason to go with dual-boot or just XP. I see you also tried the VPN client in the VM and it didn't work for you. You might be able to find other combinations/permutations/configurations of the VPN client in the host OS or other VMMs that might work. I don't know. Good luck with that, and let us know if you find a way to make it work. In theory, there should be a way to make it work in the host OS, with a virtual switch, and have the VM use the virtual switch, but again, I've never tried to make it work.

-David