the IPDetect routine is trying to determine the IP address of LMS server.
LMS is trying to get route of UDP 192.43.244.18 port 123 which is time.nist.gov. However if the server network is not quite ready, or has an odd network setup (e.g. an incorrectly set subnet mask) or security - it is possible this will fail. LMS will then write the following in the log:

[11-12-18 07:01:36.9271] Slim::Utils::IPDetect::_init (120) Warning: Couldn't call connect() - falling back to 127.0.0.1

Which leaves it with an incorrect IP address and inability to connect to the players.

LMS is essentially trying to determine the IP before the network setup in during the Windows boot has been completed. When the start of LMS is delayed or LMS is restarted the IP address will be correct. 

It would be great if the code could be changed so LMS will re-try to receive an IP address a few seconds later, instead of falling back on the localhost IP address, when failing to get a proper IP the first time around.

(With thanks to PRJU68 and BPA for formulating and finding the cause of the issue)

Further info / discussion:
http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=92381
(Page two more relevant)