def __init__(self, ipp):
            self.ipp = ipp
            self.outbound = False
            self.inbound = False
            self.ping_reqs = {}           # {ack_key: time sent}
            self.sendPing_dcall = None    # dcall for sending pings
            self.deadNb_dcall = None      # keep track of node failure
            self.got_ack = False
            self.u_got_ack = False
            self.ping_nbs = None
            self.avg_ping = None