IcmpCreateFile function (icmpapi.h)

The IcmpCreateFile function opens a handle on which IPv4 ICMP echo requests can be issued.

Syntax

IPHLPAPI_DLL_LINKAGE HANDLE IcmpCreateFile();

Return value

The IcmpCreateFile function returns an open handle on success. On failure, the function returns INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE. Call the GetLastError function for extended error information.

Remarks

The IcmpCreateFile function is exported from the Icmp.dll on Windows 2000. The IcmpCreateFile function is exported from the Iphlpapi.dll on Windows XP and later. Windows version checking is not recommended to use this function. Applications requiring portability with this function across Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and later Windows versions should not statically link to either the Icmp.lib or the Iphlpapi.lib file. Instead, the application should check for the presence of IcmpCreateFile in the Iphlpapi.dll with calls to LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress. Failing that, the application should check for the presence of IcmpCreateFile in the Icmp.dll with calls to LoadLibrary and GetProcAddress.

For IPv6, use the Icmp6CreateFile, Icmp6SendEcho2, and Icmp6ParseReplies functions.

Note that the include directive for Iphlpapi.h header file must be placed before the Icmpapi.h header file.

Examples

The following example opens a handle on which ICMP echo requests can be issued.

#include <windows.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <iphlpapi.h>
#include <icmpapi.h>

// Need to link with Iplhlapi.lib
#pragma comment(lib, "IPHLPAPI.lib")

void main()
{
    HANDLE hIcmpFile;

    hIcmpFile = IcmpCreateFile();
    if (hIcmpFile == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
      printf("\tUnable to open handle.\n");
      printf("IcmpCreatefile returned error: %ld\n", GetLastError() );
    }
    else {
      printf("\tHandle created.\n");
      // Need to close the handle when done using it
      IcmpCloseHandle(hIcmpFile);
    }  
}

Requirements

Requirement Value
Minimum supported client Windows 2000 Professional [desktop apps | UWP apps]
Minimum supported server Windows 2000 Server [desktop apps | UWP apps]
Target Platform Windows
Header icmpapi.h
Library Iphlpapi.lib
DLL Iphlpapi.dll on Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP; Icmp.dll on Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional

See also

GetLastError

Icmp6CreateFile

Icmp6ParseReplies

Icmp6SendEcho2

IcmpCloseHandle

IcmpParseReplies

IcmpSendEcho

IcmpSendEcho2

IcmpSendEcho2Ex