Fix for iTunes' "Network connection timeout" error

I have been trying to update my iPhone to iOS 5.0 for a few days now. Every time the software download would fail one third way through with "Network connection timeout" on Win7 x64 host.

It took me a while to dig out the solution that worked for me:

1. Upgrade to the latest version of iTunes.
2. Flush DNS Cache.
   Start command prompt and run:
   

   c:\>: ipconfig /flushdns 

3. Disable FireWall and Anti-Virus software

If none of that worked for you, you might need to download the software update file (IPSW) manually from Apple site directly. Google for "download-iphone-firmware-ipsw."

The folder to place downloaded update is:

c:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\iTunes\iPhone Software Updates\

The filename of the recent update for me was:

     iPhone3,3_5.0.1_9A405_Restore.ipsw