Simple function for pinging an IP/hostname (Linux/Mac Only)

ping.py

import re
import subprocess


def ping(host):
    """ Ping the address/hostname and return True if packet loss is less than
    60%. All other results return False or print and error."""
    exp = re.compile(r"\s(\d{1,3})\%\s")
    try:
        test = subprocess.Popen(["ping", "-c 5", "-W 2", host],
                                stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
        out, error = test.communicate()
        if out:
            stats = re.search(exp, out)
            loss = int(stats.group(1))

            return loss <= 60

        else:
            return False

    except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
        return False