Why is NT Kernel system ntosknel want to send out an echo request?

I got this popup messsage this morning: NT Kernal system (ntosknel) is trying to send an ICMP Type 8 (Echo Request) packet to 192.168.0.1 (which is my router's address).

1. Why would NT Kernel do this?

2. Sygate wants to know if I want to allow it. Do I or should I tell Sygate to block it?

well if its to the router(internal addresses) you would be fine.