Now, BrowserUK, since there isn’t any sort of “connection” being established here, is it ever possible for the returning ping-packets to be dropped as they pile-up waiting to be received? Would there be any advantage ... or is it possible? ... to send out the pings with one thread, and wait for the replies with another?

Why ask me to test your theories? (Especially when you aren't even polite enough to ask in reply to me!)

You claim to have the expertise; why not simply knock up a little 'extemporaneous' code and test your theories for yourself.

Surely that is not beyond your legendary (or is that mythical) skills?