[boost] How to know the connected server is down ?

Hi, I am using the boost socket for the client and server connection. i set the socket option as below boost::asio::socket_base::keep_alive option(true); tcp_socket->set_option(option); I am able to connect the client to the server. Suppose after some time the server goes down. How do I get that information without sending any read/write request? 1. Now I don't know how to check if the client is down ? 2. Do I get the signal that the client is down? (Without reading or writing at the client )? . If yes, how to handle it. Please help me with this ... -- Regards Raghavendra Huchchannavar.