check out the Java external tcpClient: https://cycling74.com/tools/tcpclient/

currently using it for a permanent installation project and its been solid

Does that object support ping? Ping is not TCP-based, it's an ICMP.

I use a shell object for this kind of thing (Mac only). Below is an example that pings the main Google DNS just once. The shell object I use (dhj.shell) can be downloaded from http://max4eigenharp.com/?p=83