If I had a problem like this I would start from scratch writing a brand new lookout programme. I would not mess around with somebody elses code. Not to rubbish the guy who wrote the code but sometimes things get terminally corrupted between people and generations. It's just the way it is sometimes.
I would also start off small. Nothing fancy. Then see if it is solid. Only once I had something solid would I start expanding it.
I like your comment on ethernet speed and data swamping. Something to keep in mind.
