How to Monitor Network Connectivity in .NET

There is a common problem with smart client applications that they need to implement monitoring network connectivity. Common scenario - if the computer is connected - send data to the server, otherwise - serialize data to disk, then wait for network connectivity becomes available and when the network is available - send serialized data to the server in the background.

.NET 2.0 introduced System.Net.NetworkInformation with NetworkAvailabilityChanged event, so there is no need to reinvent network monitor behavior by hand any more :)

Use the right namespace :)

using System.Net.NetworkInformation;

Now it is possible to check connectivity on demand...

bool connected = NetworkInterface.GetIsNetworkAvailable();

Or subscribe to event in some place....

NetworkChange.NetworkAvailabilityChanged += OnAvaiabilityChanged;

Implement like so:

private void OnAvaiabilityChanged(object sender, 
    NetworkAvailabilityEventArgs args)
{
    this.UpdateStatus(args.IsAvailable);
}

private void UpdateStatus(bool connected)
{
    if (connected)
    {
        ...
    }
    else
    {
        ...
    }
}

Enjoy :)

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