How to detect if you are connected to internet?

Hi,
i'm creating a jabber client (a chat tool, like icq or msn). In the app, i send info to a server, and i receive from it. I use MFC CSocket.
Is there any api function that checks if you are connected to internet?

thanks!!!

If you would have searched the forums first, you would have found the following function: InternetGetConnectedState ;)

i looked it up in msdn (link) , and i don't understand the following:

Quote:

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lpdwFlags
[out] Pointer to a variable that receives the connection description. This parameter can be one or more of the following values.
Value Meaning
INTERNET_CONNECTION_CONFIGURED Local system has a valid connection to the Internet, but it might or might not be currently connected.
INTERNET_CONNECTION_LAN Local system uses a local area network to connect to the Internet.
INTERNET_CONNECTION_MODEM Local system uses a modem to connect to the Internet.
INTERNET_CONNECTION_MODEM_BUSY No longer used.
INTERNET_CONNECTION_OFFLINE Local system is in offline mode.
INTERNET_CONNECTION_PROXY Local system uses a proxy server to connect to the Internet.
INTERNET_RAS_INSTALLED Local system has RAS installed.

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the following code always returns online.. any ideas?

Code:

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        unsigned long *a;
        a=(unsigned long *)malloc(sizeof(unsigned long));
        if (TRUE==InternetGetConnectedState(a,0))
                AfxMessageBox("online");
        else
                AfxMessageBox("offline");

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Broadly speaking, there is no fool proof solution to your question. There was a long running threadDetecting an internet connection , with lots of solutions posted. You can choose one that is appropriate for you.

thanks!