code: function (size) {
  
  	size = size || 1;
  	LOG.warn('trying to assign ' + size + ' new ports...', 'SR.Monitor');
  	
  	// find first available port
  	var port = SR.Settings.PORT_APP_RANGE_START;
  	var last_port = SR.Settings.PORT_APP_RANGE_END;
  
  	// first port found
  	var first_port = undefined;
  	var results = [];
  	
  	while (port <= last_port) {
  		
  		if (l_ports.hasOwnProperty(port) === false || l_ports[port] === null) {
  			// found a unique port
  			if (!first_port)
  				first_port = port;
  			
  			// mark the port as assigned
  			l_ports[port] = first_port;
  			results.push(port);
  			
  			LOG.warn('assigning port: ' + port, 'SR.Monitor');	
  			
  			if (--size === 0)
  				break;
  		}
  		port++;
  	}
  
  	// no available ports found, or not enough ports found
  	if (port > last_port)
  		return 0;
  	
  	if (results.length > 1)
  		return results;
  	else
  		return results[0];
  }
docs: assign a unique application port