      */
     protected function getHostId (claimIfAvailable : Boolean = false) : Number
     {
+        if (! _control.isConnected()) {
+            return 0;
+        }
+        
         var host : Object = _control.get(HOST_NAME);
         
         if (host == null ||                                   // no host was recorded, or

     */
    protected function tryReplaceHost (hostId : Object) : void
    {
        debugLog("Removing old host with id " + hostId);
        _control.testAndSet (HOST_NAME, _control.getMyId (), hostId);
        debugHostStatus ();
    }

    /** Debug only */

                tryReplaceHost (host);
            }
            return 0;
        } else {
            // otherwise, the host is present and known
            return Number(host);
