I would recommend using Win32::PingICMP over Net::Ping because Net::Ping requires admin rights to execute because it forms the raw icmp message, while the Win32::PingICMP will allow anyone to ping, and achieves the same results. Along with nmake, you might go ahead and download the free .NET c compiler (which has nmake, cl and some other goodies C compiler/linker) .NET SDK... this link will take you to Microsoft's site.

JamesNC