title: Validate IP Address (host) exists prior to connecting (ping)
body: <p>I have a problem where I need to determine if the host exists prior to connecting to it. This host does not work with the function <code>gethostbyaddr()</code> because it is not PC-based and does not return host information. It is IP-based only. Whenever I try to call <code>gethostbyaddr()</code> on the IP address, WinSock returns <strong>11004</strong> (WSANODATA). </p>
  
  <p>Is there a similar function (besides <code>ping</code>) to determine if an IP is valid before trying to connect?</p>