iTunes 12.13.4.4 (on PC) Does Not Show Latest Version of OS From Apple

The iPad shows an update available. But there is insufficient storage to update. A PC can bridge this issue. But iTunes on the PC doesn't acknowledge the latest available update. I'm convinced iTunes is not contacting Apple servers to see the available update rather states what is on the iPad is the latest version, which it isn't.

It seems to me the router will connect to the server iTunes (hardcoded) tells it to. The router handles all traffic and does not "prefer" one address over another. Were your logic true, the router would have "re-routed" the initial IP Address from the iPad for use by the PC. As it sounds, that logic is deeply flawed.

As I've previously stated, I think there is a bug in iTunes either pointing to a dead IP or a server name isn't being translated correctly (DNS) from the data packet or the server doesn't exist. Otherwise, the vpn is off, av (was) off and firewall suspended. Nothing to intefere with traffic.

I have seen identical versions of iTunes from the MS store and the Apple Store behave differently. E.g., the MS version didn't have the usb drivers for device bridging that the Apple version did. It is inexcusable for a company like Apple to allow differences in identical releases.

At your suggestion, you want me to believe that if I keep restarting my router & PC, my game of "wackamole" might prove successful and I land on a cooperative server. Then you throw around the word "load-balancing" as though you know how Apple manages it's servers, even though you admit you have no idea.

I use generic DNS server IPs for a reason. They route traffic without 'prejudice'. But thus far, the idea to keep rebooting the PC and router is like throwing stuff at the wall to see if it sticks. This doesn't qualify as a workaround, much less a fix.