Don't forget that there are working scripts available here that are valuable in learning something new with working code as the example. Checking out the Networking Code from the
Code section shows a few scripts on pinging such as this
one that should get you started on what you are trying to do.
"The trouble with having an open mind, of course,
is that people will insist on coming along
and trying to put things in it." - Terry Pratchett