How to ping server before sending mail with smtp

[dbasnett]

        Try
            smtpserver.Send(mailMessage)
        Catch ex As Exception
            MessageBox.Show("Could not ping the server, check the VPN connection")
            Exit Sub
        End Try

Unless these are computer knowledgeable people does it really matter? Either you send the mail or you don't, and for most users anything more than "Success" or "Failure" is overkill.