Forgive me for trying to create X-files in Mulder-like fashion.

I agree that our cases the strange port numbers don't affect connectivity and the explanation of people circumventing blocked ports is logical. I have also seen non-6346 ports appearing before but up until now in very small proportions although I have to admit that I don't spend much time staring at the connections window as it's not exactly a thrilling passtime.

I don't understand why the limewire router hostcache being down would have such a major effect (it hasn't affected me) and nobody has come up with any other logical explanation. I'm concerned that whatever it is could happen to me - Murphy's Law dictates that all those who brag about having got off scot free will suffer in the end.

Incidentally I also agree that some of the 'I can't connect' posts are a bit trollish:
"I've tried Limewire for two minutes and it didn't connect" ergo Limewire is crap.