From: Mark Probert <probertm@..._acm.org>
Date: 2003-09-05T07:07:55+09:00
Subject: TCPSocket and rescue

Hi, rubyists.

I am trying to telnet to a large number of boxes.  I have created a 
wrapper around the net/telnet.  One of the methods is called 'alive?' 
that checks to see if the node can be reached prior to running up the 
Telnet.

  def alive?
    begin
      t = TCPSocket.new(@host,@port)  # line= ./bsn.rb:83
      t.close
      return true
    rescue => e
      @exception = e
      return false
    end
  end

When I run the this as part of a bigger program I get the following 
exceptions raised all pointing to the TCPSocket.new call:

Exception `Errno::ETIMEDOUT' at ./bsn.rb:83 - Connection timed out - 
connect(2)
Exception `Errno::ENETUNREACH' at ./bsn.rb:83 - Network is unreachable - 
connect(2)
Exception `Errno::ENETUNREACH' at ./bsn.rb:83 - Network is unreachable - 
connect(2)
Exception `Errno::ETIMEDOUT' at ./bsn.rb:83 - Connection timed out - 
connect(2)


I am surprised that I am seeing these exceptions, given the open rescue 
clause.

Any ideas?

-- 
-mark.