osu_uma--I don't know how to read the code that decides the criteria for UP, but do know quitting and restarting isn't necessary: just use File->Disconnect; File->Connect (with Preferences->Disable Ultrapeer UNchecked). This doesn't seem to affect current uploads or downloads.

Even the uptime isn't as much of a factor as expected. After a completely clean install (even a new IP last week), I only had to run for a couple of hours before this worked. If after a couple times when all hosts built up and dropped too low, I'd change the Pref on the go once about 6 connected (vendors showed and IP's resolved into named sources). This would allow LW to operate as a "false leaf", building up to about 32-35 Ultrapeer hosts in ~10 minutes. I just tested this again successfully within minutes of starting up LW once I got home.

Did you map 6346 as TCP only, or TCP and UDP? I currently map for "All"6346. The OSX firewall just says 6346, so I'm guessing it means UDP, TCP, and others.

Does dropping hosts relate (cause or correlation?) to the displayof the vendor info and the dotted IP resolving into a named IP for you too?