iTunes 10.1.0.56 update kills network interface - Windows 7

I have resolved this.

For anyone having the issue, here's what appears to be happening based on running iTunes setup with verbose logging turned on and watching the time when the network interface dies.

Issue:
During the installation, iTunes installs some network components related to mobile device support over ethernet(Apple Mobile Device Ethernet Service - netaapl.inf). At the same time, according the logs, the install process removed OEM18.inf. This almost exactly coincided with the time that I saw the network connection die (preceded it by a few seconds).

Basically, iTunes appears to be removing a required network component.

Resolution:
After installing iTunes and the network connection breaking, remove the network device from Device Manager and allow Windows to reinstall it automatically.

The following instructions are for Windows 7, but they are close enough to follow for other versions of Windows.

1. Click the Start button (Jewel in Vista and Win7).
2. Right-click Computer and click Manage in the menu that appears (type your password or click Yes if prompted).
3. On the left side of hte Computer Management window, click Device Manager.
4. Click the arrow (or plus sign) next to Network Adapters to expand that section.
5. Right-click your network adapter and click Uninstall in the menu that appears.
6. Click OK.
7. Reboot.

Windows should automatically detect and reinstall your network device on boot.