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

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

    /** Debug only */

     */
    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
