Timeout Of ADO.NET Connection To SQL Server 2005.

I am experiencing a very odd timeout when connecting to a SQL Server 2005 db.

The code works fine and connects to the database no problem. The problem arises when the network connection is lost for more than a few minutes (which is common as the application is based on remote locations with highly mobile equipment). The code to open the connection immediately throws a error number 17 (SQL Server does not exist or access denied).DBConnection.Open()
The connection object will connect after a few minutes and the application will resume. But the delay is not acceptable and should be quick to recover once the network connection is available. I have checked and I can do all other network functions from the PC once the network is available. (Ping, web browse, DNS etc)

The Code is written in VB.net using framework 1.1.

The db is SQL Server 2005 with SP3.

The code utilizes a dataadapter with associated connection object.

Connection string is as follows;

"SqlConn.ConnectionString" value="initial catalog=TheDB;packet size=4096;integrated security=SSPI;data source=Server05;persist security info=False;connect timeout=2;workstation id=MyWORKSTATION"/>

Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.